PEI Connectors, in its work to provide support services to immigrant entrepreneurs and job-seekers, relies on a solid network of Connectors, i.e., Island residents whose extensive business and professional experience and networks offer access and insight into PEI’s career and entrepreneurial landscape. For immigrants to PEI, stepping foot on the Island’s red earth is the start of a new life. But many arrive without all the tools with which to engineer their new beginnings. They leave behind the intimate knowledge of the business and professional worlds in their home countries, networks through which they informally gain crucial information and sustain success, and the confidence that comes with operating within a familiar territory. Connectors play an invaluable role in helping new immigrants to PEI fulfill lifelong dreams; their efforts help new immigrants to stay and succeed in the province.
A Yale study suggests that up to 70 percent of career opportunities are found through networking, which includes internal fillings and referrals. While there are different estimates about the effectiveness of networking, a report by Forbes indicates that networking can help candidates stand out with hiring managers. In 2016, Statistics Canada reported that some entry-level roles are never advertised and that networking and word-of-mouth referrals are an important component of filling job opportunities. This may also be true for more senior and executive positions where reputation is everything.
The Connector of the Year for 2024 is Wendy MacIntyre, acertified Chartered Professional in Human Resources and Senior HRConsultant/Principal at resolveHR. Wendy’s foray into this field came after sheearned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and completed a joint diploma offeredby Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island in humanresources management. Following her studies, she worked in several roles whichsaw her gain valuable skills, networks, and experience but ultimately left heryearning to write her own story. “Every job was an opportunity to prepare, gainskills, and build out my professional network,” she says. An amicable splitfrom a previous employer saw her reconsidering her perception of her ownability to become an entrepreneur and was ultimately the push she needed. Almostten years ago, she took the leap and resolveHR was born.
Although, as any HR consulting firm, resolveHR hasstandard services such as hiring, policy development, management advice, andtraining, it is perhaps best known for helping employers to address sticky HRsituations. For Wendy, it was clear that there was a real need for such aservice; it also happened to be a niche that she found was not as transactionalas other HR spheres could be. Wendy also credits earlier studies in sociologyand criminology for equipping her with sensitivity about how quickly interpersonalinteractions can turn sour. “People have to feel that they are their ownperson, they have respect, and can do things with purpose. When there isconflict in the workplace, it can really inhibit all of that,” she says.
Wendy’s first introduction to PEI Connectors was through the former CEO of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, PennyWalsh-McGuire. Once Wendy learned about the Connectors program and saw itsimpact, she wanted to get involved. “The demographics of PEI have changed andthere’s been a disconnect, in the past, with bringing people in and not reallyknowing how to help to make them part of the community,” she says. StatisticsCanada’s provincial population estimates for the second quarter of 2024 shows PEI’spopulation estimated at 178,550 as of July 1, 2024. Between July 2023 and July2024, 5,073 new immigrants arrived on PEI, representing a 5.89 percent decreasecompared to the previous year’s numbers . This also represents a deviation from nationaland provincial population trends over the last 5 to 10 years.
The idea of connecting new immigrants to PEI withestablished professionals and entrepreneurs appealed to Wendy. Through her workand connections, she had come to learn the challenges that employers,especially small business owners, often have with integrating newcomers intotheir operations and culture. Informal professional connections play such acrucial role in helping people get their foot in the door, especially in aclose-knit community like PEI. New immigrants, although highly skilled, oftenhave to build these networks from the ground up all over again. For manyemployers, reaching out to their networks is a more efficient way to get goodtalent. But this, unfortunately, means that many good candidates – particularlythose who lack the connections – cannot access these opportunities. “Inviting newpeople to plug into social networks that exist here is a genius idea because,in time, when these people grow their own networks, they will do the same forothers,” she says.
As much as Wendy has given of her time, knowledge, andresources as a Connector, she has greatly enjoyed learning about how thingswork in the countries and cultures where new immigrants are from. “The courageit takes to move around the world and begin a new life is so inspiring. Theseare clearly highly intelligent and motivated people,” she says.
Wendy recently left the board of the Lung Association ofNova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (LANSPEI) after several years of volunteerservice. Her departure created an opening on a board that she felt couldbenefit from members with more diverse backgrounds, cultures, knowledge, andexperience. She reached out to PEI Connectors hoping to find someone who mightfit. “I was happy that they connected me with someone who, since joining theboard, has begun to make really great contributions. She’s a new connection forhelping the newcomer community learn about lung health beyond the formalchannels, and to bring a fresh perspective on outreach and needs of newcomers,”Wendy says.
Article by: Elizabeth Iwunwa
Photos by: Mostafa Alizadegan
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