Since 2004, VersaFi has invited young women and gender-diverse senior high school students with an interest in business to spend a day in the Canadian financial district. Offered in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal, Job Shadow Day is a free, day-long program that gives students a unique first-hand view of exciting and rewarding careers in finance.
This interactive day includes a morning session complete with workshops, mentoring sessions, and presentations profiling women with diverse careers in finance. Event participants are able to network with sector thought leaders and learn about their career paths and professional experiences. The afternoon component grants students access to a sector professional mentor from one of our sponsor firms, who will share advice and insights into their daily professional life, role, and responsibilities. Students will also have the unique opportunity to tour the offices of Canada’s major financial institutions.
Over its 19-year lifespan, more than 2,000 high school students have participated in this acclaimed high school program, many of whom have continued on to pursue careers in finance due to their experience with Job Shadow Day.
Inspiring the next generation to pursue academics and career paths in business and finance, VersaFi’s high school programming is leading through education and experience by leveraging our network and access to Canada’s largest financial institutions.
I kept on being inspired by all the amazing stories and things these professional women were sharing and doing everyday! I never imagined I would be able to speak with all the directors and VPs personally and learning about their careers being only in Grade 12.
Thank you so much for organizing Job Shadow Day! I cannot stress how eye opening it was for me to realize how strong women can (and should) be in the finance industry. I kept being inspired by all the amazing stories and things these professional women are doing and sharing everyday! I want to let you know how purposeful and impactful WCM is to me. I never imagined I would be able to speak with all the Directors and VPs personally and learn about their careers, being only in grade 12.
I am extremely excited to attend more WCM events and to become a mentee when I am in university.
The Heather L. Main Memorial Scholarship is a comprehensive $25K scholarship, Capital Markets summer internship, bespoke coaching and VersaFi membership program for women who are graduate students.
VersaFi’s Post-Secondary Mentorship Program pairs young women and gender diverse undergraduate and graduate students with a professional currently working in the finance sector.
