Career Roadmap
Zelia's work combines: Business, Entrepreneurship, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Social Sciences, General
Laval University, Quebec, Canada
Graduate Degree
Labor and Industrial Relations
Laval University, Quebec, Canada
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Financial Managers:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Social Sciences, General
Graduate Degree: Labor and Industrial Relations
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
Had a passion for helping people.
2.
Competitive.
3.
Loved to read about politics, law, psychology.
4.
I was always doing something challenging.
5.
I have led many groups since I was a little girl.
6.
Involved in the community, school.
7.
Always worked and went to school.
8.
Enjoyed numbers and learning about different things.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
You have an accent, you won't make it. You are not from here, you are not corporate material - (I still don't know what they meant) - you are too nice, you didn't go to school here it will be hard, you are not political, you are too funny, you are too serious, etc.
How I responded:
I was fortunate to have strong parents that believed in me even if they were so busy working. My father had 3 jobs and mom had 2, so I did not spend much time with them. I had fabulous friends that respected me for who I was and never tried to force me into anything. My friends and their parents were aways there for me. They were like my family. I did a lot sports, that also helped me staying focused and meeting great people. I surrounded myself with people that truly cared about others.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Growing up we had no money, I remember having to split a yogurt with my brother and I slept on a sofa until I was 14 years old. My parents worked so much to put food on the table. They never did anything wrong, never cut corners to make money. They worked.
My parents were immigrants, having a difficult time to adapt and to learn how to speak another language. My parents never finished high school. I was picked on at school because I was an immigrant and my mom used to make my clothes!
I faced a lot of challenges not only because I was a first generation immigrant in a different country but I also came here to the US when I was 25 years old and left my family and friends behind. I had to start all over again. Barely spoke english.
Yes I was! So much pressure. My older brother did not go to college, he decided to be a mechanic. My older cousins also did not go to college. My parents wanted me to be doctor, an attorney, teacher... it was so so confusing!!