The seeds for a career in international trade were planted at a young age for Joshua Boileau. Watching his family’s steadfast work ethic as a young boy made international trade a natural extension of the values he was raised upon. 

“I grew up in a household of blue-collar workers who instilled a sense of work excellence and dedication that inspired me to work in a career that amplified those skills. With international trade, I saw the connections with work ethic, dedication, and attention to detail.”

To him, work such as navigating regulations, supply chains, and cultural differences requires commitment, and for international businesses they are the glue that holds everything together. 

Joshua saw parallels between how international trade operated and how his family negotiated contracts, maintained client trust, and ensured quality. These similarities cemented his choice to pursue trade as a career path. 

Seeing the scale of world trade in action

Experiencing the scale of global trade, especially when it came to product management and marketing, was a favourite part of Joshua’s storied career. “I watched as live orders came in from international markets I’ve never been to. There was something deeply rewarding about knowing that a product team in Ottawa could be making an impact so far from home,” he says. 

Working at Shopify marked another pivotal chapter in his path, one that taught him a powerful lesson about perseverance. After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Shopify waived platform fees for Ukrainian merchants and Joshua saw firsthand the resilience of entrepreneurs in crisis while he helped Ukrainian merchants set up their online stores.  

“It was inspiring to see fashion, food, health and wellness, and retail shops pop up. A resilience through war and the pandemic.” These experiences broadened his understanding of what trade can achieve, not just operationally, but on a deeply human level. 

Pivoting small businesses in times of change

Joshua regards reacting to tariffs as one of the most interesting aspects of his career.

“Pivoting a business is incredibly difficult, especially in a small business environment. I feel the weight of change much more immensely than if I worked in a large company.”

But, by shifting focus to new markets, he has been able to help his employer open new and interesting paths. “Interacting with new international regulatory bodies, creating international market entry analyses, and creating international marketing plans has been stressful but rewarding,” he says. 

Start with the basics

For anyone entering the field of international trade, Joshua has one piece of advice that he learned from the current leadership at White Cross, James Dumont:

“You need to learn how to crawl before you can run.” 

International trade, he believes, demands patience, commitment, and a desire to do things the right way, at the right times.  

Learning from instructors filled with passion

Joshua completed the FITTskills program through Algonquin College, one of FITT’s educational partners. His favourite part of the FITTskills program was the people who taught it. 

“The professors had so many years of experience, skills, and cultural awareness that it exuded out of them.” 

He credits the courses with deepening his intercultural understanding, a critical skill in both e-commerce and global operations. 

“I came to realize that the classic business etiquette you see in other fields was dwarfed by the intercultural relationships in international trade.”

His favourite course, International Sales & Marketing, was particularly influential. Inspired by a professor who “had a passion for business and marketing that helped us find our own pulse in international trade,” Joshua pursued an optional co-op placement in South Africa, where he experienced culture shock, global marketing dynamics, and the intricacies of international marketing firsthand. 

These lessons would come into play later in his career at Shopify, where he saw “the power of international trade resilience, adapting to a new global norm in e-commerce.” 

Why he pursued the CITP designation

For Joshua, the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation represents something essential in today’s world: credibility. 

“There’s something to be said about credibility in a world that has shifted to creating policies and legislation backed by non-credibility. I want to have a credible voice, backed by a world-recognized professional organization, when dealing with international brands, brokers, reps, and supply chains.”

His comments highlight how, increasingly, designations like the CITP instill confidence in both the professionals who earn them and the partners who work with these professionals, creating a win-win scenario for both. 

Earning the designation also felt meaningful and forward-looking for Joshua. 

“I’m excited about where the CITP designation will lead me. I’m passionate about integrating international trade and my degree in sustainability.” 

Looking ahead: a global vision for e-commerce

Now, as E-Commerce Manager for an online pharmacy retailer, Joshua sees enormous potential for international diversification and the CITP designation strengthens that vision. 

“I see my CITP designation extending my current role in E-Commerce Management in online pharmacy retail. There is a lot of work to do in diversifying our international markets.”

With a blend of technical expertise, global awareness, and human-centred values, Joshua is poised to help shape the future of ethical, sustainable, and globally connected commerce. 

The post CITP Spotlight: Joshua Boileau – E-Commerce Management, White Cross Online appeared first on Trade Ready.

The 2024 winners embody the values of dedication, innovation, and global vision. Their stories reveal the impact of FITTskills training and international business education, not just in shaping professional skills, but in opening doors to opportunities that connect people, cultures, and economies worldwide.

Student of the Year: Chika Sato, Canadian College

The Student of the Year Award, presented in partnership with Export Development Canada, goes to the student with the highest overall GPA after completing all FITTskills courses at a delivery partner institution. This year’s recipient, Chika Sato of Canadian College, stood out not just for her academic excellence, but for her consistent drive to participate, learn, and contribute to class discussions.

Her professor, Kumar Varma, CITP, recalls Chika’s approach vividly:

“The success of Chika Sato lies in her outstanding focus on the subject when she is in class, her mental aptitude to understand international trade events, and her eagerness to participate in discussion. Punctuality with her assignments, her commitment to attendance, and her curiosity to ask questions made her a truly exceptional student. A rare pearl in the ocean!”

For Chika, the award is a validation of years of hard work. Her journey through the FITTskills program not only strengthened her understanding of global markets but also provided the tools to approach complex international challenges with confidence. Her recognition as Student of the Year shines a spotlight on the transformative impact of dedication and persistence.

International Sales & Marketing Plan Award: Rajveer Kaur, triOS College

The International Sales & Marketing Plan Award recognizes the strongest submission of a comprehensive sales and marketing plan. Rajveer Kaur of triOS College received this honour for her detailed and innovative plan outlining Old Navy’s entry into the Indian market.

Her project balanced the company’s global identity with India’s diverse cultural and consumer landscape. She identified key challenges, such as intense local competition and the need for cultural adaptation, and addressed them through product localization, festival-inspired collections, influencer collaborations, and a phased market entry strategy.

Reflecting on the experience, Rajveer shared:

“I felt very accomplished because I was able to combine strategic thinking with practical marketing tools. It showed me how theory translates into a real-world global business scenario, which was motivating and rewarding.”

Rajveer’s career goals extend beyond this project. With aspirations to become an international trade consultant and strategist and eventually build her own global business. She sees this award as both a milestone and a motivator.

Her professor, Dr. Kamaljit Kaur, Program Coordinator of the Global Business Management program at triOS College, praised her achievements:

“As a student, Rajveer consistently demonstrated critical thinking, creativity, and strong team-building skills. Her positive attitude, leading class discussions and timely submissions, made her an exceptional student. It is wonderful to see these strengths celebrated through this achievement.”

International Business Plan Award (Tie):

Teniola Animat Oke & Calvin Immanuel Suseendiran, Algonquin College

This year’s International Business Plan Award ended in a tie, with two equally impressive projects emerging from Algonquin College. Both demonstrated the ability to combine deep market research with strategic, real-world application.

Teniola Animat Oke developed a market entry strategy for Hanwha Vision’s DIY home alarm system in France. Navigating challenges around GDPR compliance, financial projections, and cultural preferences, she created a hybrid entry strategy combining online sales with partnerships through French retailers and telecom providers.

“Completing this project was incredibly rewarding,” Teniola said. “It pushed me to integrate everything I learned – market analysis, financial planning, risk management, and cultural adaptation – into an actionable plan. It reinforced my passion for international business and my confidence in tackling complex, multifaceted challenges.”

Her long-term vision? To work as a Global Strategy Consultant or International Market Expansion Manager, helping technology firms navigate new global frontiers.

Meanwhile, Calvin Immanuel Suseendiran built a comprehensive business plan for Privacy Shield, a Swiss privacy-enhancing technology firm, to enter the Italian market. By applying tactics he learned through the FITTskills program and his own cybersecurity expertise, he developed a strategy that aligned advanced technology with regulatory and cultural realities in Italy.

“Completing the project was deeply rewarding. It allowed me to apply both international trade frameworks and cybersecurity principles to a practical, forward-looking business strategy,” Calvin reflected.

His dream career lies at the intersection of cybersecurity and international trade, leading secure market entry strategies and driving digital transformation across borders.

Clarecia Christie, CITP, FITT Coordinator at Algonquin College, celebrated both students:

“Teniola and Calvin displayed a disciplined approach with a global mindset and intense curiosity. Teniola excelled in in-depth research, while Calvin showcased risk management skills. Their dedication to FITTskills courses was evident, and we are proud of their well-deserved success.”

FITT Achievement Award (Tie): Oruba AL Refa’i & April Channer, St. Clair College

The FITT Achievement Award is unique among the honours. It recognizes not just academic performance, but also leadership, community involvement, and perseverance. This year’s award was shared by two outstanding students from St. Clair College: Oruba AL Refa’i and April Channer.

Oruba AL Refa’i pursued International Business Management – Logistics Systems, inspired by the role logistics plays as the backbone of international trade. With a background in project management and supply chain, she excelled academically while balancing her role as a mother of three.

“Honestly, I feel thrilled and grateful to be this year’s recipient,” Oruba shared.

“Graduating with a 4.0 GPA as a full-time student and parent was already a major accomplishment, but this award validates my dedication and motivates me to keep striving for excellence in international trade and logistics.”

Her professor, Paul Jacobs, CITP, highlighted her impact:

“Oruba distinguished herself as an exceptional student through her academic excellence, leadership, and meaningful volunteer contributions. It is a privilege to celebrate her success.”

April Channer brought an entrepreneurial perspective shaped by her experience running a distribution company in Jamaica. She was drawn to international trade by its ability to connect people, products, and opportunities across borders.

“Being the recipient of the FITT Achievement Award is an incredible honour,” April said. “It validates my hard work as a student and as a young business owner, and motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and pursuing opportunities in global trade.”

Her instructor, Tammy Bombardier, CITP, praised April’s contribution:

“April brought incredible entrepreneurial insight to our program and generously shared her experiences with classmates. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and willingness to contribute will undoubtedly make her a great asset to our international trade community.”

Both students represent the spirit of the FITT Achievement Award, balancing academic success with leadership, resilience, and a vision for the future of global business.

Just the beginning

The journeys of Chika, Rajveer, Teniola, Calvin, Oruba, and April highlight the transformative power of education in international trade. Their projects reflect real-world challenges, from market entry and cultural adaptation to cybersecurity and logistics. Their professors’ praise underscores the discipline, creativity, and leadership they demonstrated along the way.

Together, they represent the future of international trade: innovative thinkers, strategic problem-solvers, and global citizens ready to shape cross-border business.

For current and future students, their stories serve as inspiration. The FITTskills program equips learners with the practical tools, analytical frameworks, and global perspective needed to succeed in a world where borders matter less and collaboration matters more.

As these award recipients step forward into their careers, one thing is clear: the classroom lessons they mastered are already translating into global impact.

Congratulations to the 2024 FITT Educational Award winners! Your achievements reflect not only your hard work, but also the bright future of international trade.

If you’re considering a career in global business, or want to equip yourself with the knowledge to succeed across borders, explore the FITTskills program and take the next step toward building your own international trade success story.

The post From the classroom to global impact: The inspiring journeys of FITT’s 2024 Educational Award winners appeared first on Trade Ready.

FITT gives out awards each year to students who’ve demonstrated exceptional academic performance in their international business program. These students are selected from hundreds of candidates enrolled at any of the educational partner training organizations who deliver the FITTskills program or whose international business programs are recognized by FITT. Here are this year’s remarkable winners!

2019’s Student of the Year is a remarkable double-winner

The student of the year award is given to an exceptional student who achieved the highest GPA for the 2019 academic year and is presented by FITT’s Strategic Partner, Export Development Canada. This year we are proud to award Bridget Archibald, CITP, who studied at Nova Scotia Business Inc., where she also works as an Export Development Executive for the Ocean Technology sector.  Bridget is even more remarkable in her achievements, having also earned the International Sales and Marketing Award along side her project partner Allyson England.

Bridget’s interest in pursuing a career in international trade came from a co-op term she spent at the student exchange office at the Dalhousie University School of Business.

“I worked with business students from all around the world and I loved hearing all about their cultures, experiences, travels, and their perspectives on Canada. From that point on I knew I wanted to learn about international trade,” Bridget says.

I love that international trade is built on human elements like culture, relationships, connections, and trust, but it also combines disciplines like marketing, finance, production, law, and logistics. To work in international trade, you must have a level of understanding of all these things, which to me makes it challenging, and fun.

Bridget says that her international business education taught her the practical elements of how to identify true opportunities, take real steps to mitigate risk and build a business plan.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) is an organization that works with businesses and individuals to help them discover new exporting opportunities and give them the tools to pursue them successfully through training, resources and expert help from their team of advisors. As an NSBI employee, she took advantage of the training available to her there as well through the FITTskills program. She’s passionate about the work she does there.

“I already have my dream job! I am an Export Development Executive for the Ocean Technology sector. This is a fast-growing and important sector to the province, and one where Canada is a true global leader. Ocean Technology companies from Nova Scotia export literally around the world, and I get to help them do that. On top of international trade, I’m learning about marine technology, ocean science and more. Plus, I get to do it from (and for) Nova Scotia, a place I love,” Bridget says.

Her colleagues are just as enthusiastic to have her on the team.

“Regardless of the task at hand, Bridget is truly remarkable in the engagement, passion, and dedication she brings. We are so fortunate to have such a hardworking and caring individual on our team. Bridget is unique in that she brings the same engagement, passion, and dedication to everything she does. Whether it’s for her work at NSBI or to broaden her skills and training, she’ll always be there, giving 110%,” says Yuliya Demish, CITP, FITT Coordinator, Nova Scotia Business Inc.

How does Bridget feel about receiving not one, but two FITT awards? She is gracious in her achievement.

“It is a true honour. I’ve met many smart people through FITT, including Allyson, my partner for the Sales and Market project (who is a very inspiring woman entrepreneur), the FITT instructors, my colleagues at NSBI, and the other FITT participants. I learned from them all. I am very grateful for my previous education and experiences, and to FITT and NSBI. I feel really motivated to use my knowledge!”

Winning International Sales and Marketing Plan aims to tackle tricky U.S. market

The International Sales and Marketing Plan Award is presented to the student whose project submission received the highest grade. This year’s award goes to the dynamic duo of Bridget Archibald, CITP and Allyson England, who both studied at Nova Scotia Business Inc.

Allyson England is the Founder of Nova Box, a Nova Scotia-based gift box company specializing in Nova Scotia made products. Via an online store and corporate catalogue, Nova Box shares a ‘little piece of Nova Scotia’ with customers around the world. Allyson and Bridget used this growing small business as the basis for their Sales and Marketing plan. According to Allyson,

“The goal of the International Sales & Marketing Plan was to explore market expansion into the US.  We analyzed market trends in both the retail and corporate gift sector, focusing specifically on building partnerships with U.S. companies who had a Nova Scotia connection.”

The plan wasn’t without its challenges. Though Nova Box resonated with Canadians due to the emotional connection customers have with Nova Scotia, Allyson wasn’t sure that her potential customers south of the border would have the same affinity. But luckily, they had a plan to tackle this challenge.

Building a successful business starts with forming strong relationships with your customers, and ensuring your product offering meets a need or solves a problem that they are currently experiencing. Our plan included a laser focus on leveraging existing relationships and interviewing potential customers to ensure product/market fit.

“After completing this project, we felt confident that we had adequately analyzed the market and formed a plan that was both aspirational and achievable. Completing the FITT sales and marketing coursework really helped in forming our approach, and ensuring we had considered all aspects of exporting to a new market,” Allyson says.

As you can tell, Allyson is passionate about her business, and the possibilities offered by international markets inspired her to learn more about international trade.

“My favorite part of building a business is imagining where it could go, and then setting off in that direction. Being in the driver’s seat to identify opportunities, solve problems and execute creative strategies is why I do what I do. I also love being able to work with local companies to help them build their global footprint,” Allyson says.

Completing the FITT Diploma in International Trade has given me the systematic knowledge required to enter and succeed in a new market. As a business owner, it is easy to get caught up in making incremental steps forward without a robust long-term plan. Export training has helped me think 10 steps ahead.

Since completing the marketing plan, Nova Box has acquired The East Coast Box Company. They now offer gift boxes made with products from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, allowing them to expand their customer base to those who have an affinity for the East Coast of Canada.

Ultimately, Allyson strives to become the the #1 exporter of Canadian made food and gift items – no small feat, but she’s off to a promising start!

A plan for tackling one of Europe’s cannabis black markets wins this year’s International Business Plan Award

Similar to the Sales and Marketing Plan award, this accolade goes to the highest grade for a completed international business plan. For the 2019 academic year, we are pleased to present it to Juliana Fuentes who studied as an international student at Algonquin College.

Juliana decided to study international trade as she saw that it was increasingly playing a major role in world’s economy and added to her interest in understanding foreign cultures and globalization.  She also recognized a growing demand for graduates who develop skills to trade successfully and identify business opportunities to exchange products and services.

But her interest in international trade goes beyond just a growing demand for her skill sets.

“I love that every single sector of the economy need to trade. Internationalization is so dynamic that it adapts to every situation. We see this even more so during pandemic times. Daily, businesses try to reinvent and develop new ways to interact and conquer new markets despite physical cross border restrictions,” Juliana says.

I also like to believe that specialization of nations and their increasing connectivity is the path to global development, resulting in a fairer world where less developed countries have the opportunity to improve their citizens’ minimum life standards.

Her award-worthy business plan was presented to Hexo Corp., a leading cannabis company that cultivates, manufactures, develops R&D and distributes easy to use cannabis products for adult use and medicinal purposes. The plan’s to target the Czech Market from their new facility in Greece to reach new opportunities and mitigate the impact of black market.

To tackle this ambitious project, Juliana did some preliminary research about the industry situation in the market, to find out how the cannabis market was growing in different markets. This helped her identify Europe as principal market. Then, she sought to identify the most beneficial market profile to target.

It was a challenge for her to find up-to-date, reliable information. She tackled this problem by grouping the data as quantitative and qualitative and identifying reliable sources such as OECD and World Bank. She also credits the support of her International Business Management and International Research professors, who guided her through all the processes involved.

After weeks of hard work and more than a few sleepless nights, Juliana was able to organize her research and come to a cohesive business plan she could be proud of showing off to Hexo Corp.

Throughout her time studying  in the International Business Management Program at Algonquin College, Juliana learned a wide range global business knowledge and practical skills in supply chain management, trade finance, currency fluctuations, risk mitigation, legal aspects of global trade and marketing strategies.   However her most valuable insights came from the cross cultural experience she had as an international student.

“I had the opportunity to understand Canadian culture, not only from the business perspective, but also from the personal one, thanks to all professors that were approachable and interested in making students’ adaptation easier. And the interaction with classmates from a variety of countries enriched my perspective to understand cultural differences and evaluate each of the topics we discussed from diverse perspectives,” Juliana says.

We always see big things come from the FITT Education Award winners, and we know this year’s group will be no exception. Congratulations to all three of this year’s Award Winners for their hard work and great achievements, and what is sure to be the beginning of three exciting international trade careers!

The post 2019’s FITT Education Award Winners come up with creative solutions to tackle tricky market entry challenges appeared first on Trade Ready.

As an Account Management Representative with UPS Capital, UPS’s supply chain insurance and finance service company, Kyle Laflamme uses his several years of experience and knowledge to protect customers’ supply chains, assist with claims and provide the best possible service.

His international trade journey began as an Algonquin College student, studying international business through the college’s FITT-accredited program.

“That’s what really peaked my early interest in international trade. I’ve always found the prospect of exploring new markets fascinating, from learning different languages to negotiating logistical challenges, so it’s just been a natural fit for me from then on.”

Thanks to his Algonquin professors and the FITT course content, Kyle built the foundation he needed in international business to launch his career.

“My professors were all very knowledgeable, approachable, and professional. Much of what I was taught I still actively use today years later, so they’ve had a direct result on my success thus far.”

The International Market Entry Strategies course was the most intriguing to me because it encompassed so much of what it takes to get a project off the ground (logistical considerations, laws and regulations, social norms and working conditions, finance, etc.).

“This not only prepares one for international market entry, but also crosses over into many other facets of business as well, from project management to cross cultural negotiations. I’d absolutely recommend FITT’s courses to anyone interested in international trade, they’ve been very beneficial.”

Quickly building an impressive list of career accomplishments

After graduating and working in financial advisor and quality assurance roles in Ottawa, Kyle moved a couple of years later to Montreal to take a position as an Account Specialist, working primarily with business owners in the U.S.

“I ended up moving to Montreal and later accepted a position in a company that needed someone with my theoretical knowledge of international trade. I was responsible for many different sorts of tasks at this company, but the international trade aspect was what interested me the most, so that’s where the majority of my focus was directed.”

Building upon that experience, he next took a job with Wholesale Payments Direct, a new payment processing company at the time. Within a few months he worked his way up from Lead Generation Manager to Director of Operations. Taking on a multitude of challenges, from acquiring new customers, creating sales strategies and handling logistics to building new internal policies and procedures, overseeing payroll and improving data management practices, the position allowed Kyle to stretch his wings in a way he’s continued to do ever since.

“I’ve always been a firm believer in coming up with solutions for complicated challenges as opposed to finding reasons what things can’t be done. Many of my favourite moments stemmed from applying this philosophy to scenarios when logistics and/or communications seemed to have broken down. Reassuring the client that I will fix their problem and then actually pulling it off always produces a great sense of achievement for me, especially when you consider that deadlines are always that much tighter when you have to factor in international time zones and different customs regulations for each country and whatnot.”

In his next role as a logistics specialist and customer service representative with Diebec, he also had the opportunity to help the company improve how it approached acquiring new business, which he found professionally fulfilling and an exciting chance to apply his knowledge to something new.

“One of the most interesting projects that I’ve been involved in was working with senior management to come up with pricing proposals to acquire international business. I’ve always had a knack for Excel, so on one hand I was brought onto the projects for being able to design pricing solutions for our prospective clients, but also because I was the resident expert on the additional costs we faced for shipping internationally as well as what the costs were when a mistake was made. Factor in the tight deadlines and the amount of money that hung in the balance, and that made these project right up my alley.”

“The senior management really took me under their wings and helped actualize my theoretical knowledge by mentoring me and encouraging me along the way.”

The continuous process of professional training and achievement

Even with his many years of career experience and success, Kyle makes an effort to keep learning and expanding his horizons and appreciates how much he’s learned along the way.

“When I first started my career, I wish that I properly understood how fast things can take a turn for the worst if you haven’t prepared adequately for the task at hand. In domestic business, if a simple mistake has been made, it’s usually easily fixed with a phone call or an email.”

“With international business, a simple mistake can mean a package gets held up at customs, a disagreement arises over where the responsibility of risk transfers over in the event of a damaged shipment, possibly losing a client because of a language barrier, etc. It’s much more important to do your research beforehand because there are so many little details to consider that can have a huge impact on your company’s bottom line and your reputation.”

In 2018, he graduated from Concordia University with a BA in philosophy, and intends to pursue a Master’s degree in the future, either in business analytics or business administration.

He also recently met a goal several years in the making by earning his CITP (Certified International Trade Professional) designation, and is excited to see his hard work come to fruition.

“The CITP®|FIBP® designation was a big pull-factor for our college program, so upon graduating I had always intended to apply. Once I found my way into a company that allowed me to gain the necessary experience and knowledge to develop and serve their international market, applying for the CITP®|FIBP® designation was the next logical thing to do, since this is the direction that my career is heading in. It’s very pleasing to see my work and study throughout the years come to fruition.”

He now sees a great deal of value in his designation moving forward, both in his current work and as a potential avenue towards exploring the myriad opportunities available at a company the size of UPS.

“I’m excited to see what doors will open, and what value can be generated from leveraging this designation.

I foresee the CITP designation opening a lot of doors for me internally within my company, given that we’re such a large international transportation company, and also will help provide our clients with confidence knowing that my advice and work is backed by knowledge attained from pursuing accreditation from a recognized international organization like FITT.

The post Kyle Laflamme, CITP|FIBP – Account Management Representative appeared first on Trade Ready.

With another school year underway, it’s time to recognize the accomplishments of four outstanding students from last year. We are honoured to present these four outstanding students with 2017 FITT Awards, and look forward to seeing their careers blossom in the years to come.

A future global trade superstar wins Student of the Year

Sunmi Kim, Discovery Community College

The 2017 FITT-EDC Student of the Year award was presented to Sunmi Kim, a recent graduate of Discover Community College’s International Trade Management program in British Columbia.

She received the 2017 Student of the Year award for finishing the 2017 academic year with the highest GPA of any FITT student.

“EDC is honored to present the 2017/2018 Student of the Year Award to Sunmi Kim,” said Derek Layne, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for EDC. “We’re delighted to recognize academic excellence in the field of international business and we sincerely congratulate Sunmi on her achievement.”

Fouad Menassa, the program coordinator at Discover Community College, was extremely proud of her achievement as well.

“If I had to summarize Sunmi in one word it would certainly be ‘Dedication’. I found her dedicated towards her studies, and in reaching her goal of establishing and bettering her career in international trade.”

Sunmi says that learning she won the award filled her with joy and a feeling of responsibility to thank everyone who helped her reach this accomplishment.

“A thousand thanks to the mentors who showed encouragement and whom displayed faith in each and every little step that I took. It is of the utmost importance that I continue moving forward in respect and to make them proud of me.”

“To Fouad Menassa at Discover Community College, thank you for answering my questions kindly with your years of work experience. Thank you to all the faculty members at Discovery, Pamela Ellison at DP World Duke Point, my role model, all the other staff at DP World, and all of my colleagues at LongHoh Enterprises. Thank you to FITT – it means a lot to me to receive this award from an organization I admire. And thank you to my absolutely precious family – I love you!”

While she feels like she still has a lot of room to learn and explore, she is driven to become an international trade expert.

“Utilizing what I have learned in combination with my experience will allow me to step forward in the Canadian work force and become a productive contributor to society. The capabilities and competencies gained through my completion of the FITT courses has created a positive momentum that is both exciting and boosts my confidence in becoming a part of this field.”

One exceptional student wins two awards in the same year

Yanrui Jia, Algonquin College

Each year, FITT awards the International Marketing Plan award for the student who attains the highest grade for a marketing plan in the International Sales and Marketing course, and the International Business Plan award for the student with the highest grade for a business plan in the International Market Entry Strategies course.

In a remarkable achievement, both awards for the 2017 academic year were awarded to Yanrui Jia, CITP|FIBP of Algonquin College.

“I was very excited when I was informed I won two of these awards. These awards recognize my hard works on these two projects. Moreover, they build my confidence, and will be the booster to my career development in the future.”

Both of her projects focused on the same company, a Canadian manufacturer of high-end air purification products for residential and commercial use. Her international marketing plan focused on selling them in the Chinese market, and the international business plan then outlined the rationale to sell in the Vietnamese market, with a completely different strategy and set of tactics.

“I come from Beijing, China where there is very serious air pollution and many people suffer from lung cancer due to air pollution. I understood the high and urgent demands on a suitable air purifier in China now, which led to the idea for my marketing plan.”

“The idea for my international business plan comes from my classmate who is from Vietnam. I talked to her about China’s serious air pollution and health problems, and she said Vietnam has the same issues.”

Norm Hotchkiss, program coordinator at Algonquin College’s International Business Management program, explains that “Yanrui is one of the very few students who was able to focus on the big picture while not losing sight of all the little details that make international trade a challenge at all levels.”

Since graduating, Yanrui has also applied for and earned her CITP®|FIBP® designation. She hopes her awards, designation and existing familiarity with Asian markets will help her develop her career even further.

“I want to assist more companies, especially Canadian companies, to export their products to other countries and help more and more people in the world access to the products from other countries they need. Currently, I am working on international trade strategies for some companies. I hope that FITT will be a good platform to broaden my social circle and these two awards will be a good reference for my career development in the future.”

FITT Achievement Award given to two standout nominees excelling in the classroom and the community

Justin Archambault, CITP|FIBP, Algonquin College

Erum Rashid, Durham College

For the FITT Achievement Award, students are nominated for a combined effort of academic success and community involvement, and the winner is then selected by FITT’s awards committee.

The 2017 award was handed to two very deserving students: Justin Archambault, CITP|FIBP of Algonquin College, and Erum Rashid of Durham College.

Justin excelled in his studies, finishing with the highest GPA in the history of Algonquin’s International Business Management program.

“At the end of my program it was an unbelievably proud moment seeing A+ beside nearly every course on my transcript. I was also honoured to receive the Algonquin Students Association’s Leadership Award for effectively bridging the concerns of fellow classmates with the faculty and administration.”

After completing the program, he earned his CITP®|FIBP® designation and started his own international business advisory firm, Bluecrown International Strategies. He already has a team of five, three of whom are CITPs (including fellow FITT award winner Yanrui Jia).

“We provide comprehensive services for prospective exporters and companies seeking opportunities in unfamiliar and non-traditional markets for Canadian firms. We also strive to also bring about a general awareness about the importance of trade as it relates to developing economies around the world and empowering people through opportunity and greater market access.”

As part of his work, Justin is also now serving as a trade advisor to an ambassador from a CPTPP member country, reporting on trade developments and seeking opportunities for businesses from the member country in Canada.

“I would like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support, my professors from Algonquin College’s International Business Management program who saw my potential, recognized my abilities, and truly went the extra mile to mentor me, and my colleagues at Bluecrown International Strategies. This award would not have been possible without any of the above people.”

Norm Hotchkiss from Algonquin College also added that “Justin quickly established himself as the top academic performer in the program while also becoming the class leader and spokesperson with Faculty and School Administration.”

Justin now seeks to help more businesses from countries with trade agreements with Canada to expand to the Canadian market. He also hopes to play a role in negotiating closer trade relationships with emerging markets in whatever capacity possible.

For Erum Rashid, studying in Canada for the first time and going back to school after over 10 years away to raise her three children was initially both exciting and nerve-wracking.

“I always wanted to renew my passion for learning and to refresh my skills, and my previous experience in international logistics and educational background influenced my decision to enroll in this program at Durham. I was determined to overcome my anxieties and through perseverance, and my willingness to challenge my own limits, I was able to quickly get on the road to learning.”

“During coursework, I took it on myself to be both a mentor and an individual contributor to ensure deadlines were met while exceeding expectations on content quality. My fellow students, especially those who worked on group projects, acknowledged the guidance and direction I was able to deliver in guaranteeing everyone’s voice was heard and that individual contributions were not undermined.”

After hearing that she won the FITT Achievement Award, Erum described it as a “dream come true” and said she was overwhelmed by the news.

“I am truly humbled and honored from the appreciation received and I couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support and encouragement from all faculty members as well as my fellow students.”

Pauline Bessada, CITP|FIBP, the program coordinator at Durham College, was overjoyed for Erum as well.

“I am beyond delighted Erum won the FITT Achievement award! We are so proud of her! Her award is not only an achievement for Erum, but for Durham College as well! We couldn’t be happier or more proud! The idea we have contributed to Erum’s passion for international business and helped her achieve this award has us more than thrilled!”

Erum now hopes to advocate strong corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and introduce more ethical practices to international business worldwide.

“My goal is to work towards elite CITP designation and being able to have rigorous understanding of the international business at different levels. My long-term goal is to bring innovation in entrepreneurship for Canadian SMEs and how they can expand into different markets around the world successfully.”

Congratulations to each one of this year’s FITT Educational Award winners, and we are excited to see what you’re able to accomplish next!

Please feel free to offer your congratulations or any helpful advice in the comments below.

The post Celebrating the next wave of potential business leaders: 2017 FITT Educational Award Winners appeared first on Trade Ready.

Representing the bright future of trade as Student of the Year

Satyajeet Kumar, Discovery Community College

The 2016 winner of the FITT-EDC Student of the Year award was presented to Satyajeet Kumar, a graduate of the International Trade Management program at Discovery Community College in British Colombia.

Satayjeet was awarded Student of the Year because he attained the highest-grade point average after completing all eight FITTskills courses.

The award was presented by staff from FITT’s strategic partner, Export Development Canada (EDC), who are thrilled with Satyajeet’s achievement.

“EDC is honoured to present the 2016 Student of the Year award to Satyajeet Kumar,” said Catherine Decaire, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for EDC.

“Satyajeet represents the bright future of international trade. Through his hard-work and determination, Satyajeet has shown he will go above and beyond to succeed. We whole-heartedly congratulate Satyajeet on his achievement.”

Satyajeet’s program coordinator at Discovery College, Fouad Menassa, was equally proud of his accolades.

“Discovery College and the International Trade Management program are proud of Satyajeet’s achievement. Following his enrollment into the program, Satyajeet proved he was an attentive and excellent student. We wish him success in the future.”

Receiving this prestigious recognition was something Satyajeet couldn’t wait to share with his family.

When I received the mail from FITT about Student of the Year, I was so surprised and was so happy because I was not expecting it. It was a proud moment for me, being able to say I am the Student of the Year. It really does make me and my family proud.

As he prepares for his future career, Satyajeet wants to use his skills to help members of his community live better lives.

“My career goal is to invest my time into setting up an IT infrastructure in the Canadian healthcare system, so I can help improve my community members’ lives.”

Exceptional plan to expand an audio company wins the International Marketing Plan Award

Russell Leith Yearwood, Vancouver Career College  

The International Marketing Plan award is given to the student who attains the highest grade for a completed marketing plan for the FITTskills International Marketing course. This year’s International Marketing Plan award winner is Russell Leith Yearwood from Vancouver Career College.

Russell’s project was a Trade Management Report, in which Russell created a foreign market expansion plan for a fictional company. Russell outlined how Zexer Audio, the fictional audio technology company Russell created, could expand their business into the U.S. market.

The assignment earned a grade of 98%, the highest in his cohort.

Irene Jeremic, head of International Business and Law Lecturer at Vancouver Career College, was highly impressed by her student’s achievement.

“The award is very humbling and our college is grateful for being able to change lives through education. The recognition not only validates our approach to learning through engagement and empowerment, but it also crowns Russell’s hard work at the college.”

Moving forward, Russell plans to keep busy, learning as much about international trade as he can.

“I am aiming to increase my knowledge in finance, gain further work experience in global investments, and then I aim to help foreign entrepreneurs invest and expand into Canada.”

International Business Plan Award winner stands out with baseball bat exports

James Amelotte, Algonquin College

The International Business Plan award is given to the student who has received the highest grade for submitting a completed business plan for the International Trade Management course in the 2016 academic year.

The winner of the International Business Plan award was James Amelotte from Algonquin College.

Norman Hotchkiss, program coordinator for the International Business Management program at Algonquin College, was proud of his student, but not surprised to hear of James’ achievement.

“It is fitting James won the Business Plan Award. As a baseball pitcher, he actually knows how to throw different pitches to different batters and is very familiar with targeting those pitches. Both are useful skills in writing a business plan, but it was his commitment to learning and improving that ultimately created his winning plan.”

Contrary to his professor’s reaction, James was in shock when he learned that he had won this award.

“When I first heard I had won the award, I was in disbelief. But now, after some time, I can truly say I am proud and honoured to be the recipient of this award after knowing how much time and effort had gone into the completion of my business plan.”

James developed a business plan focusing on exporting wooden baseball bats to the market of Venezuela. He chose Venezuela as his target market because of their professional baseball league and their geographical location in South America.

James plans to use his award as proof of his hard work and abilities as an international business professional. His ultimate goal is to secure a position with an international organization, which would allow him to work with people from all over the world.

FITT Achievement Award goes to talented student working to help Syrian refugees

Maysa Balout, Fanshawe College

The FITT Achievement Award is presented to the student who has shown a combination of community involvement and academic success. Selected by the awards committee, nominees are put forward by either themselves or their peers.

The FITT Achievement for 2016 was awarded to Maysa Balout from Fanshawe College. Maysa has gone above and beyond in her studies and to help her community.

Albert Knab, former coordinator of the International Business Management program at Fanshawe College, spoke highly of Maysa and her hard-work.

“Fanshawe College is very proud to consider Maysa Balout one of their alumni. It is no surprise Maysa’s professional and business skills are as outstanding as her academic performance. While studying at Fanshawe, she maintained a perfect GPA, worked with the Supply Chain Association, as well as volunteered with the London Muslim Mosque to help settle Syrian refugees into the community.”

“I am truly honoured and grateful for the award. I have gained additional confidence and speaking points to add to my resume, which is always a nice bonus!” Maysa says.

Moving forward, she sees the FITT Achievement Award being a great feather in her cap when job hunting and networking.

This award will be such an influential speaking point when going for interviews or business conferences. It will help advance me in my career by showing people I am serious about international trade.

Maysa was chosen, in part, due to her community work helping Syrian refugees establish themselves in her city.

“When the influx of refugees began, London, Ontario received a lot of them. I collected donations of clothes from friends and family and drove them to the donation centre for distribution to refugee families.”

Maysa’s dedication, to both her education and her community, is unique and balancing the two can be very difficult in a demanding academic year. Her ability to do just that made her the ideal winner of this year’s FITT Achievement award.

Congratulations to all of this years’ FITT Educational Award winners! We look forward to seeing you take the world of international trade by storm.

Please feel free to congratulate the winners and offer any helpful advice in the comments down below.

The post Tomorrow’s business leaders are achieving great things today! The 2016 FITT Educational Awards winners! appeared first on Trade Ready.

When Jose Recinos, CITP®|FIBP® (left in picture above), one of two recipients of the 2015 FITT Achievement Award, first heard about the EDC-FITT Internship, he couldn’t wait to apply for the opportunity.

“I’d always wanted to work at EDC, even before I heard about the internship, so it was something I really wanted to pursue,” he added.

Though he tried to temper his expectations, he was delighted to hear back from EDC that he was one of the final candidates selected to interview for the internship.

During the interview process, he talked to Joe Rios, Manager, Exporter Outreach at EDC and now Jose’s supervisor (right in picture above). Joe was extremely impressed with Jose, and clearly left a very positive impression.

Jose stood out as extremely professional, and was the first person I talked to who asked if they could pull out a pen and paper to take notes during the interview. He was attentive to detail, and had the personality to excel in the role.

Soon after, Jose found out he’d been selected to be this year’s EDC-FITT Intern to work as a Trade Advisor for EDC’s Exporter Outreach team, in the Marketing group. He eagerly awaited his new position despite the final busy months of school still ahead of him.

“When I started in March, I was still completing classes, writing papers and preparing to take exams. EDC was very accommodating, and allowed me to work part-time for the first few weeks while I finished everything for school and got up to speed for my new role. It was a busy time, but I enjoyed starting at EDC and learning so much early on.”

Hitting the ground running with a desire to learn

During his first few weeks, Jose learned everything he could about EDC’s various products and services, receiving coaching from experienced EDC employees and mastering the basics of being a Trade Advisor.

“My coaches, Suzanne Marenger and Asif Wasti, offered great support early on, and really helped me out,” Jose remembers. “Joe has also been fantastic, and has continually given me advice or tips to improve, as well as opportunities to develop my skills and continue to grow at EDC.”

Jose’s main responsibility is customer service, talking to potential EDC clients about how the organization’s various products and services would best be able to help them and their business. Whether on the phone, EDC’s online chat or otherwise, he is dedicated to helping his clients and improving his own knowledge and skills.

“Even now, one of my favourite things to do is go to the EDC website and read about everything we offer, or talk to people in other EDC departments to learn more about what they’re doing,” Jose adds.

In fact, it wasn’t long before Jose was attracting attention, from potential clients and EDC management alike, due to his excellent results.

“He’s a quick learner, and Jose understood all of the intricacies and audiences for each of EDC’s products and services early on,” Joe explains. “He received great feedback from his coaches, and many customers didn’t even know he was new. He knew the distinct advantages of each product and wasn’t afraid to discuss deeper details or think quickly during conversations.”

He’s a natural salesperson, and was even recognized by the VP of Commercial Markets and Small Business at EDC for his amazing customer service.

The joy of helping others excel in global business

One of Jose’s favourite parts of the role is the positive feeling of immediately helping others and providing them with the service they need.

“When you can help someone and they’re grateful for you doing that, it’s one of the best things about the job. It’s good to know I’m helping Canadian businesses who want to do business internationally with support from EDC.”

By the summer, Jose’s ability to work well with customers enabled him to take on his own portfolio as an important member of his team. Treated like any full-time employee with similar responsibilities, he consistently found ways to improve and gain confidence, with Joe’s and coaches’ help guidance and support.

“Jose takes feedback very well. I sometimes listen to his phone conversations, so that we’re able to discuss them after and I can give him advice,” Joe says. “He’s become more efficient, and is now able to talk to more customers while still listening carefully to their particular needs, and providing the right support.”

To continue in that effort, Jose has been able to learn from last year’s EDC-FITT intern, Samantha Caldwell, CITP|FIBP.

“Being able to talk to her and ask her questions was very helpful. She’d already handled what I’m dealing with now, and has since been able to move up through EDC, so it was good to get her perspective.”

Looking forward to what comes next

With just a few months left in the EDC-FITT internship, Jose has been able to look back at where he started ahead to future opportunities.

“When I went back to school to take the FITTskills courses at Algonquin, I was looking for something that would help me take the next step in my career.”

I learned so much from the courses, and with the FITT Achievement Award and now the EDC-FITT internship, I can definitely say that decision has paid off for me.

“My role at EDC covers such a broad variety of global business topics, and through the courses I was able to learn about each one of them and feel prepared to handle the challenges of this job.”

Joe agrees that the FITTskills courses and the EDC-FITT internship have been invaluable for Jose, and for his team and EDC as a whole.

“The FITTskills program teaches the right mix of skills for professionals to be ready to go very quickly, and we’ve had nothing but good experiences with Jose and the previous interns. Our team’s gone through some transitions in the past year, and Jose has been a quick learner and contributed from early on. He’s gained a lot of confidence in the past few months as well. There’s a lot of positive affirmation around FITT and its courses within EDC, and it’s clear they prepared Jose for this role.”

Once his year-long internship ends, Jose hopes to follow in the footsteps of several previous EDC-FITT interns and remain with EDC full-time.

“Working at EDC was a goal of mine, and I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here,” he explains. “There’s so many opportunities for growth here, and I’m passionate about EDC’s mission to help Canadian businesses. Everything I’ve learned about EDC since I started has just added to that, and I hope to continue doing this important work.”

Jose also recently earned his CITP®|FIBP® designation in December 2016, a testament to his hard work, industry skills and dedication to furthering his career goals. As a true rising star, we at FITT wish Jose all the best with what comes next, and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes!

The post EDC-FITT Intern on the fast track to a successful career in international trade appeared first on Trade Ready.

At FITT, we love this time of year! It’s our distinct privilege to recognize the hardest-working, rising international business stars of the 2015-2016 academic year. These individuals have achieved great things, often against some steep odds, and proven that they have a bright future ahead of them in the field of global trade. Here are the winners of this year’s FITT Education Awards!

Student of the Year Award – Wendolin Lopez Rebaza, Discovery Community College

2015’s Student of the Year Award is awarded to Wendolin Lopez Rebaza, graduate of the International Trade Management and Logistics program at Discovery Community College in British Columbia.

Wendolin attained the highest overall grade point average after completing all eight FITTskills courses.

The Student of the Year award is presented by Export Development Canada (EDC), FITT’s strategic partner.

“We’re thrilled to present the Student of the Year Award, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of international business,” says Catherine Decarie, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, EDC.

Wendolin couldn’t be more pleased to receive the well-deserved accolades.

For me, it is an honour to be selected as Student of the Year, especially from respected trade organizations such as FITT and EDC. I really enjoyed taking the courses and want to thank FITT and EDC for this award!

She found the program challenging, but by going out of her comfort zone and maintaining a great attitude, she faced any stumbling blocks as opportunities to learn.

“The FITTskills program taught me a lot, especially the fact that successful international firms tend to be those that develop unique products or services, or adapt their offerings to different markets.”

Wendolin chose to study international trade as part of a family who has dedicated their lives to business. She hopes to apply what she learned in the FITTskills program to bring her family business’s products to new international markets.

“My motivation was, and still is, my family. They encourage me to be the best at everything that I do.”

She has her sights set on an office with a view at a large Canadian export corporation, in a role where she can represent Canada in global business deals all around the world.

“Wendolin is a landed immigrant from Peru. When she arrived in Canada with her family, she soon realized she needed a Canadian education to better her chances of finding employment and opted to enroll in Discovery Community College’s International Trade Management program. FITTskills courses such as Market Entry Strategy, International Trade Research, and International Trade Finance were of major help, enabling her to identify a niche market,” says Fouad Menassa, International Trade Program Manager at Discovery College.

Wendolin has subsequently entered into contracts with Canadian distributors, manufactures and logistics firms trading between Peru and Canada, with plans to expand within North America. She is presently in Peru for the launch of the first phase of her own business.

International Marketing Plan Award goes to an unstoppable hard worker

 International Marketing Plan Award – Tristen Militello, Algonquin College

The International Marketing Plan Award was given to Tristen Miletello for his project which achieved the highest grade, combined with the highest overall GPA, in the FITTskills International Marketing course.

Tristen submitted a remarkable assignment, demonstrating his ability to completely research and think critically about connecting a product, company and new international audience. The fact that he turned out such an impressive project was even more incredible given the technical challenge he faced only two weeks before it was due.

“My computer crashed, forcing me to restart my project within two weeks of the due date. I had already previously finished the assignment and was on to the editing stage!”

Completing the marketing plan was simply a relief! I felt so accomplished! Considering the extremely hard work and late nights I spent to hand it in on time, and to have the honour to receive an award from it, it’s an amazing feeling!

Tristen loved studying international trade, saying one of the major takeaways for him was to keep your mind open to opportunities, as they can arise in any situation.

“I chose to study international business because I had the wonderful opportunity to have Norman Hotchkiss as my professor for another course. He opened my eyes to the opportunities in international trade, and after attending his class I knew right away that this was the field for me.”

“I’m thrilled to receive this year’s International Marketing Plan Award! It’s an honour. I wanna give a big shout out to my Mom, family, professors at Algonquin College, Fahdi Said-Pehoua, and my friends for helping me accomplish this!”

“Tristen Militello is a very welcome new International Business student with a strong desire to achieve. Good job Tristen! Keep it up. I expect you will be a strong performer at the front of the class as you proceed through the program,” says Norman Lomow, Professor and Coordinator of International Business Programs at Algonquin College.

Tristen looks forward to a career where he can travel and work from anywhere in the world.

International Business Plan Award winner has a passion for helping businesses go global

International Business Plan Award – Ryan Thornton, Algonquin College

This year’s International Business Plan Award, awarded to the student who has received the highest grade for a completed business plan, combined with the highest GPA, goes to another Algonquin College student, Ryan Thornton.

Ryan chose to write his plan from the perspective of a Canadian software company expanding into an international market for the first time.

“One of the biggest challenges with this project was choosing the best location for this international expansion. After due consideration, I chose to expand into France. The company already had a presence in Europe, with a branch office in the UK. I decided that expanding within Europe would give them an advantage over other parts of the world that would be completely new to them. The company also has an office in Quebec, which could help to reduce problems associated with language barriers.”

Ryan decided to concentrate his education on international trade after his third semester enrolled in a more general business program at Algonquin College.

I enjoyed learning about international trade because it’s so prominent in today’s world. The courses taught me a lot of real world skills that are applicable in today’s workforce, such as the research required to take on an international expansion.

Ryan has taken on a sales role with a software firm and hopes to someday have the opportunity to act as a consultant for businesses looking to expand internationally.

“I’m very proud to have won the International Business Plan Award. Completing this project took a lot of hard work and getting the results that I did is extremely rewarding.”

“Ryan Thornton graduated with an advanced diploma in Business Administration, International Business Major. He did the college proud with his determination and focus.  He is an independent and overall strong performer and I expect great things from him as he enters the work force,” says Professor and Coordinator Norman Lomow.

Two community-minded students stand out from the crowd as strong leaders

FITT Achievement Award – Kristie Luk, Fanshawe College and Jose Recinos, Algonquin College

The FITT Achievement Award is awarded to a student who has shown notable combinations of community involvement and academic success. There are two very impressive winners this year.

Kristie Luk

Kristie fell in love with international trade because of the endless opportunities, and room for growth and exploration.

“Look at the way the world is evolving. Cross-border trade will never stop; it is the way of life,” she says.

“Kristie was an outstanding student who brought her work experience into the classroom, allowing other students to benefit from her insights. She modelled the dedication and diligence required to become the accomplished trade professional she is today,” says Albert Knab, Coordinator of the International Business Management Program at Fanshawe College.

Kristie says that FITTskills case studies helped put theory into perspective, providing insight into how certain concepts actually come into play in reality.

I also learned how to work in a team environment effectively with various personality types and working styles. This, I feel, very closely mirrors how working in groups outside of the classroom would be.

Kristie shared the skills she learned with her classmates, speaking to them about the importance of time management and communication when working with others who all have different priorities and responsibilities.

She hopes to continue sharing her knowledge and expertise in international trade by becoming a trade ambassador for Canada, and even a professor later in her career.

“I see myself in more consulting-type roles with opportunities to travel and meet with different business professionals interested in market growth through developing strategic partnerships.”

“I am truly grateful to have been recognized through this award for my accomplishments inside and outside of the classroom. It is a great honour to have been selected amongst so many other international trade professionals for this award.”

Jose Recinos

Jose has always been fascinated by the complexity of international trade.

“Global trade involves a wide variety of subjects such as politics, economy, business strategy, law and cultural diversity. I realized that in today’s fast pacing and dynamic business environment, improving my international management skills would be very beneficial,” Jose says.

He has channelled that fascination into an incredible amount of hard work and dedication, overcoming language barriers on top of the typical challenges of a demanding business program.

“I had never attended an exclusively English academic program, or written any papers or tests in English, so this was a challenge I had to overcome. I believe that I improved my written and communication skills and feel more confident than ever.”

I believe that in life, you’re always going to face challenges or roadblocks. If you want to distinguish yourself from the others, you need to be able to manage and respond cleverly to those challenges. It was critical for me to be really organized and to prioritise daily, weekly and monthly goals.

Jose says working on projects for the FITTskills program helped him gain real-world business experience.

“I picked an Ottawa-based clean tech company called Waterotor Inc. and I had the opportunity to meet with the CEO and work closely on the International Business Development and Marketing plan. I had to understand the business itself to be able to assess their challenges and opportunity. It was the best way to wrap up everything I learned through the program and adapt it to this real business case.”

He made an outstanding effort to share his experiences with his classmates.

“Jose Recinos is a new graduate of the Post Graduate International Business Management Graduate Certificate.  He is one of those students who come along rarely, with the natural ability to excel in anything he puts his mind to.  He is an overall achiever, a leader and a thinker. Jose will thrive as he begins his career at EDC as the 2016 FITT/EDC intern,” Norman Lomow explains.

“We were like a small family and I felt like we were very supportive of each other,” enthuses Jose.

He even brought his international business classmates together to play in a fundraising soccer tournament, raising money to help Syrian refugees.

“My objective is to be able to work, travel and experience as many different cultures and countries as possible. I definitely want to be able to give back to the community by promoting sports and education here in Canada, but also in Central America, specifically in my homeland country, El Salvador.”

Jose is looking forward to continuing to work with EDC as their 2016 FITT/EDC intern, and earning his elite CITP®|FIBP® designation.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and the outstanding graduates from FITTskills courses all over the world. We look forward to hearing about your future global trade successes!

Feel free to congratulate this outstanding group yourself and add your tips and advice for the graduates in the comments below!

The post Meet tomorrow’s global business leaders: FITT Educational Award Winners 2015 appeared first on Trade Ready.

Mark Jewells, CITP|FIBP is a Business Development Manager at First National Financial, Canada’s largest non-bank lender, where he manages a large book of mortgage brokers in the Calgary and Lethbridge area.

Beginning his career with the ultimate leadership training

Knowing that he wanted to pursue a career in international finance, Mark enrolled in the International Business Administration program at Algonquin College in 2004, graduating in 2007.

“International business was the most enticing concentration for me based on the variety of content and material which was covered by the program. With international trade re-shaping our global markets I felt it was a quintessential time for me to pursue an education in international business.”

Despite having his eye on a role in the global finance business, he made the decision to pursue another passion before delving into the corporate world. In search of a meaningful challenge, Mark enlisted as a reservist in the Canadian Forces in 2008.

“Although I was adamant about pursuing a career in the corporate world, the Canadian Forces always intrigued me.”

I wanted to increase my leadership capability and challenge myself through one of the most structured and rigorous training programs in the country.

“I served with the Canadian Forces as a Reservist from 2008 to 2014. During this time I held a number of positions within the King’s Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) including deployment during the 2013 Calgary Flood as an Armoured Reconnaissance Troop Leader.”

The experience taught him discipline and responsibility and instilled in him a lifelong passion for helping others and giving back to his community.

Helping his clients through their largest transactions in mortgage services

Mark got his feet wet in international finance by taking a position as a Client Care Specialist with Bank of America, where he provided credit-related customer service to the American market.

He soon moved on to mortgage services, working as a mortgage underwriter for CIBC from 2007-2010, then Bridgewater Bank in 2011, and finally First National Financial LP, where he was promoted to a team lead in 2013.

In March, 2014, Mark moved into his current position as Business Development Manager at First National Financial, where he is a key part of the mortgage services team.

“I manage one of the largest broker territories in the country. My typical day consists of fielding emails and phone calls on potential mortgage applications.”

“I am responsible for communicating product, rate and underwriting updates. Furthermore, I develop new sales strategies and execute quarterly presentations to our executive team on my territory’s progress.”

The best part of my profession is that every day is different. There’s always a new challenge or opportunity that presents itself as a Business Development Manager.

Practical international training pays off on the job

Mark says the FITTskills courses he took while earning his International Business degree at Algonquin College helped him face these many challenges and gave him a deeper understanding of what his clients involved in international business face every day.

“The FITTskills courses provided me with a solid understanding of how countries exchange goods and services at an international level.”

“The courses touched on all major aspects of international trade; from logistics to market entry strategy to international law. The textbooks were easy to follow and offered current, relevant information.”

I highly recommend these courses to anyone considering pursuing a career in international business.

One of the practical aspects of the FITTskills training which prepared Mark for his future career was a case study project involving research on the business challenges and opportunities of a major global corporation.

“One of the FITTskills projects that resonated with me was the final case study on a multinational organization. I chose General Dynamics, the 5th largest defense contractor in the world.”

“I went as far to interview Dynamics at a military exposition in downtown Ottawa which provided me with invaluable insights and helped me achieve an admirable grade.”

Although today Mark isn’t directly involved in buying and selling internationally, he’s found his global business studies have provided him with valuable insights into the world of his clients, enabling him to better represent them.

“I have reviewed and analyzed many ‘New to Canada’ mortgage applications from across the globe including: United Kingdom, Egypt, Papua New Guinea, and Nigeria, among others. I have also acted a liaison between our brokers and underwriting team for sourcing down payments from international accounts.”

Capitalizing on his leadership skills with an eye to the future

Mark decided to make a further commitment to his field, demonstrating his abilities as a global business professional, by applying for his elite CITP®|FIBP® designation. His application was successful and Mark became a CITP®|FIBP® in November 2015.

“I believe achieving the CITP®|FIBP® designation is an essential step in becoming a global business leader. International trade is a vehicle for globalization, and as a CITP, I stay ahead of the curve in our ever-changing global market.”

“For anyone applying for a career in international trade, the designation will help differentiate you amongst the competition.”

Outside of work, Mark continues to give back to his community through donating his time as a Big Brother with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization in Calgary, Alberta.

“I have been engaged with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary for seven years mentoring an underprivileged young man by the name of Adam.”

The mentorship program has provided me with valuable tools and a new perspective.

“Becoming a role model and teaching Adam the value of hard work, goal setting and respecting others has been extremely rewarding. I am a firm believer that we need to give back to the community we thrive in.”

We know this is only the beginning of a long, successful career in international business and wish Mark continued success in his leadership pursuits. We’re looking forward to seeing where the next phase of his career takes him on his journey as one of the global trade elite.

The post Mark Jewells, CITP|FIBP – Business Development Manager appeared first on Trade Ready.

Eric Agyemang, CITP|FIBP, is a Small Business Account Manager at Export Development Canada (EDC), where he manages an active portfolio of exporting companies in Southwestern Ontario, helping them find ways to access financing and safeguard their foreign sales.

Helping people through international projects is a life-long pastime

International work has been part of Eric’s life since he was very young. He grew up in Ghana, first setting foot in Canada in Prince Edward Island back in 2004.

He was there as part of a mission with a program called Canada World Youth, where he worked with local youth, encouraging them to live more active lifestyles. He also started his own organization to recruit international volunteers for Ghanaian schools and clinics.

At FITT, we have been watching Eric’s international trade career first take off and then flourish. Eric had an admirable student career, achieving multiple awards and accolades, including the School of Business Award at Algonquin College, and was named one of Canada’s Top 25 International Business Students in 2013.

We had the honour to present him with the FITT International Business Plan award in 2012, and the EDC-FITT Internship in 2014, where he quickly impressed his colleagues and became a member of the staff.

Finding a place to put his skills to use at EDC

“Though my career in international trade started back in 2005, when I co-founded an international volunteer placement organization in Ghana, it was the EDC-FITT internship that really honed my interest in international business,” Eric says of the experience.

He was taken with the variety in tasks, clients and sectors he would get to work with on a daily basis, as well as the chance to make a real difference in the international trade industry.

Working with such a diverse group of companies showed me the vast plethora of opportunities out there for Canadian entrepreneurs wanting to expand their global business footprint.

“The internship also afforded me the unique chance to learn and understand some of the challenges faced by many small-and-medium-sized businesses, from Vancouver to St. John’s. And the support provided by EDC can be truly a game-changer for many of these companies.”

“All these, I believe, have greatly set me up for success for both my current role and beyond.”

Every day, a new adventure

Eric enjoys and excels in his role at EDC, where he manages a highly diversified portfolio of companies across many industries and dealing with different countries, which he says means there is never a “typical” day.

Every day is different, customized to the client and their current needs. Every transaction is particularly unique, which has been a very exciting part of my job.

“In essence, as part of the greater Southwestern Ontario team of Commercial Market and Small Business Account Managers, my role is really to serve as a trusted partner in finding creative ways to help Canadian exporters.”

Whether it’s through dealing with the businesses directly, or their banks, Eric connects them with EDC’s suite of solutions to ultimately help foster and facilitate trade.

After his success in the FITT program and his internship with EDC, Eric decided it was a natural next step to apply for the CITP®|FIBP® designation to cement his position among the global trade elite.

Clearing the last official hurdle to join the international trade elite

“Without a doubt, the FITT program really gave me the right tools and a solid platform to give my career in international business a boost. The courses were focused and practical and allowed me to hit the ground running once I was hired.”

I chose to apply for the CITP®|FIBP® designation because, frankly, there is really no other accreditation as widely respected and more broadly recognized by business professionals around the world.

“Being a CITP®|FIBP® genuinely enhances my credibility with business leaders and demonstrates my dedication to the profession. After years of hard-work, I am absolutely thrilled to earn my designation. Joining the membership of Canada’s growing elite network of international trade professionals has been a tremendous honour.”

Eric recently had the opportunity to be part of an interesting project promoting the importance of ethics, sustainability and social responsibility for young people looking to start their professional journeys.

“Earlier this year I got to be a part of EDC’s 2014 CSR Report project; speaking on the importance of corporate social responsibility for young professionals, especially when it comes to choosing where to start a career.”

If you check out the video he participated in here, you will see the passion and enthusiasm Eric has for EDC, and the opportunities that exist for young people to engage in sustainable, community building positions.

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