When Tom Chang* decided to move to Canada, he had one immediate goal: to find a job.

So a few months before he left Beijing, the 45-year-old programmer started looking for work opportunities online. His search led him to the Canadian organization, JVS, and a unique new e-mentoring program called CanadaInfoNet.org.

Launched this January, CanadaInfoNet.org is an online mentoring program that helps people who are planning to move to Canada, or have already arrived here, link to information and resources on employment, settlement and education. This free service teams the newcomer - the protégé - with an established Canadian - the mentor - who has a similar career path and/or background. The mentor supports the protégé by providing labour market information, reviewing the protégé's resume, and directing them to online resources.

While still in its early stages, the CanadaInfoNet.org program has already helped dozens of people with practical information related to employment, settlement and education. But just as importantly, the program gives newcomers to Canada, who are often alone and of limited resources, a sense of encouragement and direction. It gives them someone to communicate with, to discuss their aspirations and frustrations as they work to establish a new life in Canada.

Within days of contacting CanadaInfoNet.org, Tom was matched to his mentor, Susan Goodman*, an IT Project Manager with a large Toronto firm. Susan explained the Canadian work environment and helped Tom rework his resume, emphasizing Tom's experience with international companies. Then Susan directed Tom to a variety of online resources that could help him in his employment search.

In May, Tom's plane landed in Toronto. With his list of contacts, he was well ahead of many of the other newcomers on that flight. Over the next weeks, Tom attended interviews and then, in late May, he e-mailed his mentor to tell her he had just accepted a job in his field of expertise with a major Canadian Bank.

Tom writes:

"...Thanks for all the advice you and your group have given to me. They were a tremendous help especially the resume and the networking parts. I followed all your recommendations and guess what: they paid off handsomely! I start work next week...

 ...I truly felt the human compassion and sincerity in your attempts to bridge that cyberspace void. I believe in your cause--I believe in Canada..."

Later this summer, Tom's family will join him to begin their new life together in Canada.

CanadaInfoNet.org is looking for new e-mentors to participate. To find out more about this innovative new program, visit www.canadainfonet.org.

*names have been changed to protect the participant's privacy