Building a Future Through Community and Confidence: Nancy Leung Finding Direction in Newfoundland and Labrador
When Nancy Leung first arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador as an international student, she stepped into a future filled with unpredictability. She carried plenty of ambition, clear professional goals, and a deep hope for stability, but the path from student life to a meaningful career was not always clear. Figuring out the actual steps to build a life in a completely new environment initially felt like trying to navigate through a heavy fog.
Today, Nancy has found her direction and her purpose. She works as the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator at the Centre for Social Enterprise, a role where she contributes to projects that strengthen community development and social impact initiatives across the province. Her daily work reflects both her professional growth and her deep commitment to building stronger networks within Newfoundland and Labrador. This successful transition was greatly supported by her participation in the Study and Stay NL 2023 to 2024 cohort. Looking back, Nancy views that experience as a true turning point that helped her believe a successful future in the province was possible. “I think Study and Stay NL incepted the idea of staying in the province to thrive is possible,” she says. “It definitely influenced my decision to stay in the province.”
Facing the Emotional Challenges of Transition
Building a life in a new country involves deep emotional hurdles that extend far beyond earning a university degree. For Nancy, one of the hardest parts of the journey was managing the heavy emotional stress and vulnerability that comes with facing systemic unknowns. International students regularly handle a unique, compounding pressure. They are expected to maintain excellent academic standing while simultaneously worrying about future employment, complex immigration processes, personal finances, and long term stability. It is a demanding balancing act, and Nancy remembers how difficult and isolating that period of unpredictability could feel. “The most significant challenge is the uncertainty and emotional stress that students went through,” she reflects.
What made the experience manageable was the realization that she was not facing these challenges alone. Through Study and Stay NL, Nancy found a vital support system made up of staff members, alumni, and fellow international students who understood the exact same fears and anxieties. Having a community to share these feelings brought an immense sense of relief and comfort. “I am super glad to be in the program, going through the process together with other international students,” she states. “The study and stay NL team told us, it’s stressful, but it’s okay, and a lot of alumni secured a job when they finish a program. That gave me a sense of comfort.” This reassurance gave Nancy the emotional grounding she needed to stay focused during moments of doubt, reminding her that adjusting to a new labor market takes time and perspective.
Building a Career through Persistence
Nancy’s career progression was defined by steady and deliberate persistence. Before securing her current position, she balanced immediate work responsibilities while constantly finding ways to improve her professional skills and prepare herself for the Canadian workforce. She worked as a Merchandiser Supervisor at Shoppers Drug Mart, but she refused to let her professional growth stop there. Instead of treating the role as a simple holding pattern, she used that time to actively invest in her future. She focused on earning certifications connected to her professional interests, strengthening her interview skills, and learning how to navigate the specific expectations of local employers.
Rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity to appear, Nancy took practical, proactive steps to prepare herself for the market. She leaned heavily on conversations with peers and professional connections to better understand industry skill gaps and workplace cultures. Her continuous efforts eventually opened the door to the community sector, where she now applies her project management expertise in a highly meaningful way.
“I have developed stronger networks within my current role,” she explains. “I am able to demonstrate my project management expertise and build my credit within the community sector.” This growth reflects much more than career advancement. It shows a profound transformation in Nancy’s sense of confidence and belonging within Newfoundland and Labrador’s workforce.
The Power of Mentorship and Connection
Among the many structural resources available through the Study and Stay NL program, mentorship and intentional networking became the most valuable catalysts for Nancy’s career. Building genuine professional connections helped her decode the local labor market and gave her access to guidance that many newcomers struggle to find independently. By meeting professionals from different industries and organizations, Nancy gained exposure to fresh perspectives and hidden career paths that she had not previously considered. Her mentor provided highly practical, tactical advice that helped her value her own worth and navigate complex career decisions. “Mentorship is really helpful,” she admires. “My mentor helped me understand the labour market and provided advice in selecting offers, negotiating for salary, and more.” The program provided the ultimate foundation for her current path, equipping her with the tools to transition from an anxious newcomer into an active community leader. “Study & Stay NL gave me new community, networks, mentors etc. and I became more confident and resilient,” she says.
Guidance for the Next Generation of Graduates
Having successfully walked this path, her advice to recent graduates is rooted in practical action, resilience, and self belief. “To students: Stay focused on skills development rather than blaming shortage of opportunities,” she says.
She understands firsthand that every career path unfolds at its own pace, and she urges newcomers to remain confident in the unique value they bring to the community. “The transition from students to professionals is a process,” she explains. “Some might take a shorter time to land a desired job, some might take a longer time. Let time take its course and be confident about yourself. You are an asset to the province!”
She also provides some suggestions for “To Study and Stay NL: Arrange mentors from different industries so that students get mentors based on their interest,” she says. “Correct mentors can guide students in the right directions.”
A Story of Confidence, Growth, and Belonging
Nancy Leung’s story is one of steady growth shaped by resilience, mentorship, and community support. From balancing survival jobs and professional development to becoming a leader in the community sector, her journey reflects the experiences of many international graduates building their futures in Newfoundland and Labrador. What stands out most is not simply the career she built, but the confidence she gained along the way. Through uncertainty, networking, mentorship, and persistence, Nancy discovered that success is not always immediate, but it is possible.