Mthabisi Mhlanga

As a new student, it didn’t feel overwhelming. I was able to create some bonds that are going to last a lifetime. 

Which Navitas college did you study at and what year did you study? 

I studied at Fraser International College in Vancouver across 2011 and 2012. I graduated at the end of 2012 and my degree was a business administration degree, to then transition into Simon Fraser University and do business. 

What is one of your favourite memories during your time at Navitas? 

My favourite memory was actually when I was a student leader at FIC and we had the opportunity to organise orientation for all the newcomer students that were coming from all different parts of the world. And that experience, getting to curate almost the first day of school for all these students who, we were in their same position, you know, a few months back…and getting the opportunity to create this for them, knowing all the pre-university jitters that they were probably having, just like we had, that was a phenomenal experience getting to create that with a group of friends or people that became friends of mine. 

And as we were doing it, we had so much fun. We were teaching each other all our different languages from all the different countries we come from as we were creating this experience. And I was able to create some bonds that are going to last a lifetime, just from that experience creating orientation. So, that’s a fond memory for me. 

How has studying at Navitas made an impact on your life and that of your family?  

Having the opportunity to be in smaller classrooms and FIC specifically, prior to transitioning to Simon Fraser University…it was really a nice slow acclimatisation to the Canadian environment, just Canada as a whole. As a new student, it didn’t feel overwhelming and I felt that really helped me and set me up for all the things that I have been able to do through university and post-university, which are ultimately going to benefit my family and future. 

But I think that slow start, the supportive community that I had at Fraser International College coming to Canada, there was something special about it that kind of helped me get a good start to what was to come, being in Canada. 

Yeah, I’m extremely grateful. I think it would have looked different if I’d just gone straight into Simon Fraser University. FIC has definitely shaped me in ways that, you know, I am extremely grateful for. I feel like I am truly a collection of everyone around me. I do not exist as the person that I am right now without all the people that have impacted me. So, and FIC is, is a big part of that story. 

What have you achieved in your life and career since graduating?  

I think the big one is definitely getting to work at KPMG Big 4 in, in Vancouver, getting the opportunity to get my chartered professional accounting designation while I was working there and then moving over to Toronto, which was great because working for KPMG allowed me to be able to move cities with the company, which was a phenomenal opportunity to get to do that. 

And then since then, I decided to make a career transition into product management in tech. And I felt that that really aligned with the strengths that I had, and I was able to take the time to really think about what it is that I’m good at, what I like doing, and that really aligned well. And while doing that, I was able to compete in public speaking competitions with Toastmasters and went to the World Championship of Public Speaking quarterfinals in 2022. 

And as a result of that, I decided that I really wanted to help people to feel more confident when they’re speaking in front of people and just to be confident storytellers. And through those competitive experiences, I was then able to start to teach public speaking to students, to companies, and primarily to start up tech founders to help them to be more confident storytellers. Not just for when you are doing presentations and pictures in front of people, but really for day-to-day life, just feeling more confident as you are navigating the interactions of life. 

What advice would you have for new students entering a pathway program with Navitas ?  

They say a lot of life is, is what you make it. And I find that university is very similar in that way. You get the opportunity to make choices which will start to shape who you are and who you become in the future. And I think as a new student going into any Navitas college or Fraser International College, just being able to make the most of the resources that are at your disposal because there are so many, there’s so many resources at your disposal. And it’s on you to just go out there and ask questions and be inquisitive and be curious and figure it out and learn. And it’s a great opportunity to learn and to fail and to continue and keep going and to just get to figure it out with such a supportive community around you that is helping you through it all. 

So, really taking the opportunity to make the choice to be engaged in the community in all the different opportunities and, and clubs and student leadership and all these different things are such a great way to really start to shape who you become in life and to really enjoy the experience so much more as well. 

I’d advise anyone going through any Navitas college to make the most of it by seeking out all these different resources and all the people because everyone there is so supportive, in my experience.