Ambitious students, delicious food and fresh perspectives from community employers set the stage for Niagara College’s Indigenous Education’s first-ever Career Connections Networking Dinner – a unique twist on traditional networking events.
Held at NC’s Benchmark Restaurant and organized by Indigenous Career Consultant Cathy Smith, the events took place over two evenings in late March and were open to all current Indigenous students and alumni. The events offered attendees the opportunity to connect with potential employers, ask questions in a comfortable and welcoming environment and gain insider advice on building and maintaining relationships with industry professionals.
Students connect with professionals at Meals & Motivation at NC’s Benchmark Restaurant in March.
“For Indigenous Peoples, community is so important,” said Smith. “This event brought together employers who want to hire Indigenous workers, who understand the importance of community, and who are committed to supporting Indigenous Peoples as they succeed in their careers while reclaiming their identities.”
Titled Meals & Motivation: A Career Connections Networking Event, the initiative combined professional development with a shared dining experience and featured a relaxed atmosphere where guests enjoyed appetizers, entrées and dessert while employers went table to table, sharing career advice, interview preparation tips, growth opportunities within their organization and common mistakes to avoid in the workplace.
For third-year Game Development student Kayanna Saylor of St. Catharines, Meals & Motivation inspired confidence as she moves toward graduation this June.
“Transitioning into a career after school can be nerve-wracking, but this event removed some of that stress and helped us focus on how we can best position ourselves for life after school,” she said. “Learning about things like communicating with employers from employers themselves was integral for me as I take my next step.”
Students connect with professionals at Meals & Motivation at NC’s Benchmark Restaurant in March.
While Saylor’s education at NC is nearly completed, she’s excited for incoming Indigenous students to get to experience the College.
“I think they’re coming at a really good time,” she said. “The staff are putting in amazing work like bringing in speakers from the community, hosting community events like bingo night and fighting for you in support of your journey.”
Across both evenings, more than 30 students connected with over 20 employers representing a range of industries, including healthcare, community services, financial institutions, skilled trades, and law enforcement.
Participating employers praised the intention behind the event.
“The Meals & Motivation event hosted by Niagara College’s Indigenous Education Department was a thoughtfully designed experience,” shared OG7GES Indigenous Group Inc. “As an Indigenous business, we truly recognize and value the intention behind it. This is what real support looks like – not a job fair, but a space where Indigenous students can connect meaningfully with employers who genuinely want to support them.”
Banners inside Benchmark Restaurant highlight Indigenous Education and Meals & Motivation’s funder, Embark.
For Smith, the impact on participating students was clear.
“It opened the eyes of our students to the possibilities that are out there for them. When I asked students if they would attend again, it was a unanimous yes. The same goes for the employers. There was no hesitation whatsoever,” she said.
At its core, the event aimed to demystify the hiring process and empower Indigenous students with the knowledge, confidence, and encouragement needed to pursue their career goals. Through connection, conversation, and community, Meals & Motivation showed that building career connections is possible for everyone.
Meals & Motivation was proudly sponsored by Embark.
