From Software Development to Business Analysis: Sharif Sircar’s Journey
What started in software development took Sharif Sircar through advertising and back to technology, proving that sometimes the detours shape the destination. Today, he works as a Business Analyst with Angler Solutions, bringing together skills and perspectives developed across different professional environments. His career has not followed a straight line, but Sharif sees that as part of his growth. Each transition gave him opportunities to learn, develop new skills, and better understand his professional direction. “No one really knows what they truly want when they are in school,” he says. “Try things, build skills, you’ll find your answer in time.” For Sharif, career development is about being willing to explore rather than having every step planned from the beginning.
Finding Support Through Study and Stay NL
Mentorship became an important part of Sharif’s experience through the Study and Stay NL Program. He was matched with his mentor Dafna, giving him the opportunity to learn from someone who had already navigated a career in Canada. “The mentorship program available through this program was a great opportunity to get into the headspace of someone who has navigated a career field here in Canada,” he says. Sharif emphasizes the importance of preparing specific questions and knowing what you want from a mentorship relationship. For him, having a mentor who genuinely wanted to see him succeed created a safe space for learning and professional reflection. He also used the program’s immigration consultation to validate assumptions he had about the immigration process, helping him approach important decisions with greater clarity.
Exploring New Possibilities With Study & Stay NL
The SEED Conference was one of the biggest highlights of Sharif’s Study and Stay NL experience. It introduced him to the startup scene in Newfoundland and Labrador and showed him the resources available to turn an idea into reality. “This was the biggest highlight, getting exposed to the startup scene here, being given all the resources to bring an idea to light,” he says. Although Sharif currently prefers to avoid significant entrepreneurial risks until he has a stronger financial safety net, the conference expanded his understanding of entrepreneurship and the possibilities available within the province.
He also participated in the Study and Stay NL bus tour. Having already explored St. John’s and its history, the sightseeing itself was less significant to him than the opportunity to connect with the people he had met through the program. For Sharif, the closing experience and the relationships developed throughout the program were among its most meaningful aspects. Another valuable experience was the Study and Stay NL Homeownership Information Session for alumni. The session brought together perspectives on mortgages, contracting, and real estate, giving Sharif practical knowledge about a future goal. “It’s on my bucket list in the next 3 years,” he says, referring to homeownership.
Building a Career in Newfoundland and Labrador
Sharif appreciates the role of Study and Stay NL in creating opportunities that help international students and graduates build careers and lives in Newfoundland and Labrador. He also recognizes the importance of provincial investment in initiatives that support retention through professional development and community connections. “Seeing the provincial government is willing to put in the social support, and the finances that come with it, to increase retention in ethical ways,” he says. For Sharif, the value of Study and Stay NL extends beyond individual workshops or events. The program provided opportunities to develop relationships, access professional guidance, explore entrepreneurship, and gain practical knowledge for life beyond graduation. His own experience reflects this broader impact. From connecting with a mentor to exploring the startup community and learning about homeownership, he used the program to prepare for different aspects of his future in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Advice for Students
Sharif encourages students to gain practical experience before graduation and treat internships as opportunities to build a professional portfolio. “Get an internship before graduating and treat it as a portfolio making job,” he advises. He also encourages students to volunteer, develop practical skills, pursue scholarships, and remain open to trying different things. For international students, he recommends paying attention to immigration policy changes while maintaining focus on education and career development.His advice is rooted in his own experience: students may not know exactly where their careers will lead, but exploring opportunities and building skills can help them discover the right direction.
A Journey Still Evolving
From software development to advertising and back to technology, Sharif’s career demonstrates that professional growth does not always follow a predictable path. Today, as a Business Analyst with Angler Solutions, he continues to build on the experiences that shaped his career. His Study and Stay NL experience became an important part of that journey, providing mentorship, guidance, professional exposure, and practical knowledge as he built his future in Newfoundland and Labrador. For Sharif, the message is simple: “Try things, build skills, you’ll find your answer in time.”