THE CATALYST COURSE
Build your Canadian STEM career, without starting from scratch
You’ve already done the hard work: earned the degrees, built the skills, and proven your worth.
Catalyst helps you translate that experience into confidence, connection, and success in Canada’s STEM workforce.
The September 2026 cohort application
is now open!
The course is live and virtual and it’s paced out over 3 days.
Saturday, September 12 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST.
Sunday, September 13 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST.
Saturday, September 19 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST.
Through live sessions, fireside chats, and guided exercises, you’ll connect with peers and mentors while designing a clear path forward for your STEM career in Canada.
12
In-class
hours
1
Pre-program
hour
18
Total hours commitment
5
Independent hours
You have the education, skills, and experience. But since arriving in Canada…
- Your credentials don’t seem to “count”
- You’ve sent out dozens (maybe hundreds) of applications, but all you get is silence
- You’re told you need “Canadian experience” even after years of proven work
You came to Canada prepared to adapt,
not to start from scratch.
“As a new immigrant, I expected challenges, but the silence has been harder than I imagined”
“After more than twenty years in business analysis and quality management, I never thought finding work again would be this hard.
I’ve spent months applying for roles with no success. It makes me question everything I thought I knew about my career.”
-Catalyst Applicant, 2025
You’re doing everything “right”…
- Networking
- Volunteering
- Upskilling
- Changing how you speak or present yourself
But all you get is silence.
You know you're capable, but no one seems to notice or care.
“I’m eager to grow my career, but being underemployed has made it hard to access the training and mentorship I need”
“Even with a solid education and strong work ethic, I’ve struggled with confidence and imposter feelings.
As a first-generation professional supporting my family, I’ve often had to choose stability over growth, but I’m ready to change that.”
-Catalyst Applicant, 2025
It’s not you.
And it’s not a lack of talent or effort.
It’s the system – and it wasn’t built to recognize what you bring to the table.
But once you understand how the system works, you can make it work for you.
Not by changing who you are, but by communicating your value in a way that resonates within the Canadian workplace.
Take control of your career without starting over
The Catalyst Course helps immigrant women in STEM translate their experience, build confidence, and take meaningful steps forward in Canada’s workforce.
In just 3 days, you’ll gain the knowledge, community, and tools to:
- Get the job you deserve
By understanding your unique value and presenting your experience in ways that align with Canadian hiring practices. - Excel in your role & earn recognition
With communication and leadership skills that help you navigate cultural differences, team dynamics, and workplace expectations. - Keep growing your career
Through a supportive network of peers and mentors who understand your journey and can help open new opportunities.
Catalyst is FREE for immigrant women+ who qualify
Thanks to our funders, we have full scholarships available for women+ (women and gender-diverse individuals) who are:
- Immigrants
- Indigenous
- Racialized
- Two-Spirit / Trans / Queer
- Experiencing financial hardship
“When I first got to Canada, I thought my education, experience, and ambition would open doors”
“Instead, I was met with questions and doubts: ‘Do you have Canadian experience?’ ‘Who can vouch for you?’
I know what it’s like to feel invisible – to work twice as hard for half the recognition, to question your worth in a system that wasn’t built for you.
Over time, I realized the barriers we face aren’t about ability; they’re about access.
That’s why I created a space where immigrant women in STEM can rebuild confidence, strengthen their networks, and move forward together.”
— Saadia Muzaffar
Founder, Immigrant Women in STEM
From barriers to breakthroughs
-
![]()
“I’ve been able to line up some interviews"
"Before Catalyst, I was really struggling to line up interviews. I was sending applications, but I was not receiving any feedback.My 1:1 coaching session with Zeinab was amazing; she was very warm and action-oriented which was really helpful."
-Imani, Catalyst Participant, May 2025
-
![]()
"There’s no shame in seeking support"
“I’ve learned that while professional relationships are important, I also need to remember my own worth and to value my abilities.Connection is a key to success, and there’s no shame in seeking support from those who’ve already walked the path."
- Daniela, Catalyst Participant, May 2025 -
![]()
“I feel more secure when looking for opportunities"
"I also asked for a raise on my daily rate. And Catalyst helped me get there.
It helped me figure out my career story and the different support networks I could be leveraging. I now know my job search is not something I need to do on my own."
-Kavita, Catalyst Participant, May 2025
-
![]()
“Catalyst helped me realize that I'm not alone on this journey, that I'm not ‘failing.’”
“I’d been applying for jobs for over five months and hadn’t gotten a single answer.Connecting with all these intelligent, powerful women was a joy. It helped me remember that it's okay to ask for help.”
-Priya, Catalyst Participant, May 2025 -
![]()
“TGC helped me understand the story I want to tell about my career”
"TGC connected me with others who are eager to learn, grow, and move forward. It gave me clarity around my strengths and where I can improve.I now have a career story that feels authentic to who I am."
-Emi, Catalyst Participant, May 2025
-
![]()
“I needed support from someone who understands my journey"
"I was finding it hard to build connections and explain my career transition with confidence. I felt alone.Catalyst helped me focus my approach and connect with other women in STEM who are also facing uncertainty. It was so grounding."
-Dalia, Catalyst Participant, May 2025
The skills, confidence, and community to move your Canadian career forward
-
✦ Learn to recognize your strengths and trust your expertise
✦ Rebuild confidence after setbacks and self-doubt
✦ Restore your energy and excitement for the work you love
-
✦ Get clear on your career story, strengths, and transferable experience
✦ Communicate your value across industries, cultures, and systems
✦ Approach interviews and networking with confidence and authenticity
-
✦ Understand workplace norms and dynamics in Canadian settings
✦ Advocate for your ideas and contributions with confidence
✦ Learn to document and share your accomplishments so your work is seen and valued
-
✦ Connect with mentors and peers who understand your journey
✦ Build relationships that open doors and expand opportunities
✦ Grow into a leader who lifts others along the way
Inside the Catalyst Course
- Identify your unique talents & strengths (without self doubt)
- Gain insight into which roles best align with your skills
- Get specific language you can use to craft your career story
- And more!
- Create a career story that’s clear, compelling, and authentic to you
- Adapt your career story for your resume, LinkedIn bio, and more
- Confidently answer questions during interviews and on job applications
- Communicate your career aspirations with clarity and confidence
- Embrace feedback as a growth opportunity (vs fearing it)
- Give & receive feedback in ways that feel constructive & actionable
- Strengthen your relationship with your manager
- Document positive feedback so you can advocate for yourself
- Put yourself out there on a monthly basis
- Build authentic connections with peers, industry experts, mentors & more
- Demonstrate authority, increase visibility, and gain recognition
- Stay on top of job leads, industry trends & collaboration opportunities
- Group coaching & mentorship
- In-person & virtual networking events
- Events that help you discover opportunities in various high-growth sectors
- Virtual training sessions covering different career advancement topics
Is the Catalyst Course right for you?
Yes, Catalyst is for you!
- You’re an early-to-mid career professional with STEM / business skills or training
- You have at least 3+ years of work experience
- You’re an immigrant working to establish yourself in the Canadian job market
- You identify as women+ (women and gender-diverse individuals)
- You know rules have changed in the current job market and you need the right skills and tools to unlock your potential
No, Catalyst is not for you
- You want results without effort
- You are looking for a shortcut or a script
- You are not ready to change how you approach succeeding at your job
- You are not ready to let peers support your journey
You are qualified. You are capable. You are ready.
Join the next Catalyst cohort to connect with immigrant women in STEM who are opening doors, sharing knowledge, and rising together.
FAQs
-
The Catalyst Course is a live, instructor-led, course that runs several cohorts throughout the year. The current (or upcoming) cohort dates are listed at the top of this page (please scroll up to see them or email us for more info: support@tgc.co)
If you’d like to get notified when the next cohort begins, we recommend subscribing to our newsletter so you always have the most up-to-date information on timing.
-
The course is spread out over 3 days - 4 hours each day - for a total commitment of 12 hours in-class and 6 hours self-directed work that you do on your own.
-
The course is remote/online, but the sessions are live and participants are encouraged to attend when possible (sessions will also be recorded and available for 30 days after the course ends).
-
The overall time commitment is 18 hours total (spread out over 3 days).
Hourly breakdown:Pre-program: 1 hour
In-class: 12 hours
Independent: 5 hours
-
The course fee is $1,185 CAD, but we have full scholarships available for those who qualify.
-
Thanks to our funders, we have full scholarships available for women+ (women and gender-diverse individuals) who are:
Immigrants
Indigenous
Racialized
Two-Spirit / Trans / Queer
Experiencing financial hardship
You can apply for the scholarship here.
-
While we encourage you to join the live sessions, we understand that things come up and you may not be able to attend.
For this reason, all sessions are recorded and will remain available 30 days after the course ends.
-
TGC defines “women+” as women and gender-diverse individuals.