From Finding Her Place to Building a Future: Ooreofe Victoria Olawumi’s Journey in Newfoundland and Labrador
A Career Path That Came Full Circle
Ooreofe Victoria Olawumi’s career path in Newfoundland and Labrador has taken an unexpected but meaningful turn. She currently works as an Early Childhood Instructor at the College of the North Atlantic’s Labrador West Campus until the end of August 2026. Following this contract, she will begin a new role as an ESL Instructor with the Association for New Canadians in Labrador West. This shift connects her current professional work back to her academic roots. She reflects, “I’ve transitioned from working as an Early Childhood Instructor to becoming an ESL Instructor, a field I studied in my undergraduate degree but never anticipated returning to after so many years.” Rather than following a rigid path, Ooreofe built her career by adapting to new opportunities. Her teaching experience in NL has strengthened her communication and instruction skills, preparing her to combine her degree with hands-on practice in her next role.
Learning the Value of Mentorship and Networking
One of the most significant changes in Ooreofe’s professional approach came from understanding the importance of relationships. Before participating in IENL’s Study and Stay NL Program, she did not place the same value on mentorship and networking. Through the program, however, she began to see professional relationships not simply as connections, but as an important part of long term career development. She acknowledges, “Mentorship and networking have been transformative resources in securing my role in the local labor market.” That realization changed how she approached her professional life. Ooreofe became more intentional about building relationships, staying connected with people in her community, and learning from those with experience. She found that genuine connections could lead to opportunities, advice, and referrals that would otherwise be difficult to access. She says “Many of my professional opportunities, including referrals, have come directly from genuine community engagement and relationship-building.”
Building Confidence Through Study and Stay NL
Through Study and Stay NL, Ooreofe gained practical career tools by connecting with professionals and attending workshops on workplace integration, work-life balance, immigration, and interview preparation, with “the STAR Method session” proving especially valuable. Reflecting on this growth, she states, “IENL was instrumental in building my confidence to navigate professional spaces and take on bigger opportunities.” Beyond formal workshops, she particularly valued smaller IENL discussions where participants could speak openly about their challenges. She shares, “These spaces for vulnerability and authentic dialogue made me realize I wasn’t navigating this transition alone.” Ultimately, this blend of practical skills and personal support gave her the confidence to establish herself professionally in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Finding Belonging in Newfoundland and Labrador
Ooreofe’s connection to the province developed alongside her career. Her time in Corner Brook, NL gave her a new perspective on what community could mean. She found the environment welcoming and began to appreciate the quieter pace and sense of connection that came with living in the province. She shares, “My time in Corner Brook fundamentally shifted my perspective on community living.” Her participation in Study and Stay NL deepened that connection. Hearing from speakers about their own experiences and the role their communities played in their professional journeys encouraged her to think beyond employment and consider where she wanted to build her life. She realises, “Through these experiences, I genuinely fell in love with Newfoundland and Labrador.” For Ooreofe, belonging became an important part of her definition of success and Newfoundland became a place where she could imagine establishing a long term future. As she prepares to support newcomers through ESL instruction in Labrador West, she is also looking to make a lasting local impact through entrepreneurship. Reflecting on her long-term plans, she shares, “I’m exploring the idea of launching a government-funded business when the timing is right, a way of giving back to a community that has invested so much in me.”
A Message for Other International Students
Ooreofe’s experience has taught her that a current position does not define the limits of a person’s future. Her advice to international students is rooted in confidence, persistence, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain. She advised, “Never settle for mediocrity or accept your current position as your ceiling.” She encourages students to recognize that early career challenges are part of the journey rather than evidence of its limits. She added, “The work you’re doing now may feel like a stepping stone, but it’s not where your journey ends.”
Looking Ahead
Ooreofe advocates for connecting current participants with program graduates, suggesting IENL “develop formal mentorship platforms that leverage the compelling success stories you’ve already cultivated.” From early childhood education to ESL instruction, her own journey shows that career growth is ultimately about building confidence, discovering belonging, and embracing unexpected opportunities.