Thread by @silviajulianalm

Thank you @IWS_Network for the opportunity to share my story throughout the week in the Voices Without Frontiers (VWF) program #iwsvoices #WomenInSTEM

https://twitter.com/IWS_Network/status/1417107344048201730

I am from Colombia, the world's leading source of emeralds and its coffee is world-renown. I grew up with my parents and my brother. I am very close to them and with my brother we grew up playing golf and eating mangos from our backyard. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

Growing up my parents were always involved and supportive in our education. My dad being an engineer and me being passionate for medicine was the perfect mix to create very cool projects explaining different body functions #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

From a very early age I was passionate about Medicine. And it was a dream come true to study and graduate from Medical school from one of the most prestigious universities in Colombia: the @EMCSUrosario. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

I haven’t checked but it is probably the university with the world’s largest diploma 😜
… I was so thrilled to travel on a plane with it!
@EMCSUrosario. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I have decided earlier in my life that I wanted to move abroad so I went to Cambridge, England to improve my English. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

Happy Tuesday! I am back for day 2 of sharing my path to a career in research in Canada as an immigrant and an International Medical Graduate #IMG #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

After graduation I worked as a physician in the Emergency Department at @FSFB_Salud. I loved every second of working as a physician! #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

During that time, I started to analyze different immigration pathways for me to emigrate. I applied for the skilled worker program in Quebec and was granted the permanent residency in 2014 #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

I moved alone in January 2014… yes during the coldest week of the Canadian winter!! Once in Canada I got involved in clinical research and clinical observerships while I studied and passed the Medical Council of Canada exams. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

I had no research experience and I wanted to become a physician researcher. I started my researcher path by doing an online Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology at @GDCE_McMaster
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

It was then time to apply for a MSc. Applying for postgraduate studies in Canada was new for me. At this stage some mentors played a key role. They helped me navigating through the admission process and supported my application #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

Alright, back after enjoying a warm cup of Colombian coffee. I drink my coffee black and warm all year round. When we drink coffee like that in Colombia, we call it: un tinto!
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I applied and was accepted for the MSc in Science at the Department of Community Health Sciences at @umanitoba and at the time I didn’t have a thesis advisor 😱
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

While I was waiting for my MSc to start, I was searching for a job in research. Finding a job wasn’t easy. As I mentioned before I didn’t have much research experience. I also wasn’t familiar with how to properly search for jobs in the area.
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I attended conferences, audited lectures, volunteered in research and continued to apply for some jobs. My 🇨🇦 mentors helped me strengthen my CV and my cover letters, and helped me find positions that matched my interests and skills
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

Hi all!! Silvia here. Today is the last day of sharing a bit of my story in 🇨🇦 .
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

I finished my MSc and I currently work as a Data Scientists in Winnipeg, 🇨🇦 . I do research mainly on Chronic Kidney Disease. As someone pointed out to me one day, I now serve the people from another front: clinical research. #IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

International Medical Graduates #IMGs often reached out to me. As I mentioned before, guidance, support and mentorship took me to where I am today. I created an initiative to help those IMGs interested in following a career in research in 🇨🇦.
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM @IWS_Network

This initiative aligns with what @IWS_Network promotes. To help us find mentorship, to have others who have walked the path share their insider tips and to help us while we work on achieving our goals. That is why I am so proud to be part of this team.
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

It is also an opportunity to give back to a beautiful province that welcomed me and gave me so many opportunities: Manitoba. Next to my friend @SandraSandrisco and under the @IWS_Network umbrella we founded the IWS Chapter in Manitoba.
#IWSvoices #WomenInSTEM

While I continue to walk my path, I will continue to do my best to create opportunities for other immigrants in Canada and to promote women in science.
Thank you @IWS_Network for inviting me to the #IWSVoices initiative. #WomenInSTEM