Reka Gajari is a Market Intelligence Specialist for Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). She has a professional background in customer service and motivational team-leading, and she uses her interpersonal skills to make a difference in her work environment.

Reka began her journey at STEP as an Administrative Coordinator in 2012, and then transitioned into her Market Intelligence Specialist position in September of 2013. She is part of a dynamic team that provides customized reports to Saskatchewan businesses that help them export their products. Reka and her team compile the reports using intensive market-research to provide strategic intelligence and qualified leads on competitors in the industry.

“The work I do is for Saskatchewan companies, but the information I research is always outside of the province, so I’m learning new things all the time,” says Reka.

I get to learn about what companies in the province are doing, and I get to see what the opportunities are abroad.

Reka was born in Romania in the Transylvanian region, but she is Hungarian.  She came to Canada when she was only 18 months old, but the Hungarian language is an important part of her identity.  In the past she has had the opportunity to work as a Hungarian interpreter for international guests, which she loved. Now she is just beginning to grow her career in international business.

Reka chose to apply for the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP|FIBP) designation as a way to grow to her full potential.

“I had just finished my BBA at the University of Regina, and knew that having this designation would complement my degree and would be a great asset,” Reka enthuses.

She is constantly looking for new ways to grow within STEP, and she feels that the CITP|FIBP designation will give her more tenability in the workplace.

I feel the designation gives me more credibility with the professionals I deal with on a daily basis.

“I’m at the beginning of my career in international business, and I am happy to start off at a great organization that has presented me the right tools to do my job.”

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Jingjing Xu is a Market Intelligence Specialist for Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), and has been in the international business field for a number of years. She’s been actively involved in assisting Saskatchewan exporters with their international marketing efforts by providing information on international-focused trade policy, regulations, industry trends, competitive intelligence analysis, market entry strategy development and general export counseling services. Her expertise is in the agri-food and agri-processing industries.

“International trade has been an intriguing career goal for me, as my background and upbringing are in an overseas country, but I received my university degree in Canada,” says Jingjing, who grew up in Changsha, China. “Since graduating, I have been involved in working with Canadian exporting businesses.”

Jingjing enjoys working and sharing her market research findings with her clients, and the diversity of businesses she works with enables her to learn various industries, such as mining and technology. She enjoys the opportunities she has to interview foreign Trade Commissioners, domestic and overseas industry professionals and government agencies to get the first-hand market information.

Earning the CITP designation is a stepping stone into international trade and business. I embrace the opportunities through networking and the challenges that arise with achieving this globally recognized designation to get more involved in furthering international trade in the Canadian importing and exporting field.

Jingjing’s versatility has been demonstrated by her involvement in several international events on trade development and direct marketing, including Canada’s Farm Progress Show, FHC China in Shanghai, and international trade conference and Asia Trade conferences that were held or attended by her organization.

“The FITT courses offered me a learning system that has helped combine my work experience and my international trade knowledge,” she says, “and the courses gave me opportunities to strengthening my comprehension of international business in a manner conducive to full-time employment.”

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