REGINA - The next generation of youth in Regina is learning how to build upon their skills and get into the tech industry from the work local resident Dastu Omer is doing.
Omer, who is Ethiopian, spoke about what made her decide to become a mentor in the first place.
"[After] I realized that I really had a passion for technology. [I decided to] major in computer science. But as I was completing my degree, I tried to reach out to find mentors who were in the field, and looked like me and had the same experiences as me throughout [my] life. And I couldn't find any."
Omer explained she wanted a mentor who would teach her how to navigate a workplace that is largely male-dominant or could relate to her challenges coming from an immigrant household.
For Omer, her parents immigrated to Canada from Ethiopia. She explained that her parents came to the country to give their family a better opportunity.
Even though Canada brought the family more chances, Omer said her parents came to the country without knowing English or having an education like the one she got.
Because of this, Omer said, while she was growing up, it was hard for her to understand what was expected of her.
This led to her parents not understanding the reason Omer would do certain things, like work part-time during school, rather than fully focus on her education.
Despite this, Omer said her parents did their best to support her throughout her life, and she is grateful for that.
So, once Omer decided to become a mentor, she "participated in a bunch of different programs. For example, the Science Student Society. I [Omer] was [the] communication coordinator on the team for two years. From there, I [Omer] [was] introduced to a lot of different programs and different ways to promote science and technology within the university."
After finishing university, Omer got involved with the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC). The SCIC, which partners with the Canadian government, aims to advance sustainable global development. Omer also started working with a local Muslim youth club in Regina, which is called the DFIC Youth Club.
As Omer started running youth programs, she noted how a lot of the people in her program are new immigrants to Canada, whether that is a family or an individual themselves.
The youth Omer mainly works with are usually people who are entering university or are currently in school. Omer explained what she does to help them advance in the career they are persuing.
"They're kind of looking for opportunities for them to get their foot in the door. So, typically, I'll suggest some of the things that I might have done myself or any opportunities that I hear of along the way. And then I just help out with, like networking and how to network and what type of people you need to network with, how you keep up these connections and like looking over resumes and letting people know like these are the skills that you should be working on during your degree. So just kind of like being that guiding light for them in a sense."
When asked about the importance of understanding how to build a good profile for yourself, Omer said making something as simple as a resume can be daunting and different countries could expect their resumes to be done or formatted in a different way.
Another way Omer recommends people show off their skills is by entering into a 24 Hour Startup that happens yearly at Cultivator based in Regina. Omer talked about what that entails.
"[So, what happens is] you come up with a startup idea and kind of build a minimum viable product with a team. So, the team consists of some developers, some entrepreneurs, slash business professionals, and product designers. And so, with that team, you would come up with an idea, develop the idea, and all the business models involved. And the developers would put the idea together, of course, and build some sort of product. And this all happens within 24 hours. And at the end of the 24 hours, there is a pitch competition where you pitch your idea."
According to Omer, the idea for the product is to build something that would solve a problem in today’s society.
She spoke about how participating in the startup can give a person a good intro to working with different types of people and understanding how startups work.
In terms of entering the startup, Omer said there is no age limit, and anyone can sign up as either a product designer, developer or entrepreneur.
Because Omer wanted to learn more about how others solve challenges in their own ways, she signed up for a chance to attend the Association for Women's Rights in Development International Forum 2024 in Thailand.
Omer was later selected by the Inter-Council Network (ICN), which is a group that is committed to global justice and change. Omer was attending the forum as the youth delegate representing Sask.
Over the four-day event, Omer had a chance to see different sessions and workshops, see different ideas being discussed and learn everyone's perspectives on different topics.
Her biggest takeaway from the forum "was about how art therapy is useful to people in war zones. And so I went to the session kind of not knowing like what to expect. But then I came out realizing that art therapy can be used in many different ways. And so they [the forum] talked a little bit about different types of art and how each type of art is beneficial in a different way. And [also] how like the simplicity of art is like such a great way and accessible way for people to like heal through their traumas and [connect on a human level.]"
Seeing as Omer helps host art nights, she plans to use art therapy during the sessions. Omer gave an example of how the workshop at the forum got people to put down something on a piece of paper that represented themselves. After the person was done, they would pass it to the next person and they would add to the artwork. Omer sees this as a great way for people to learn about different things by networking with one another.
As an introvert herself, Omer can understand being scared to open up. However, she sees the value of networking as a way people can take the initiative to reach out to others.
Omer herself wants to continue working to solidify the mentorship that is happening within the group and make the group widely known across the city.
Anyone interested in joining the DFIC Youth Club can
