Building a New Legal Career in Canada: Aswathy’s Journey
April 18, 2026
When Aswathy Shaji arrived in Canada, she brought with her valuable legal experience and a strong desire to continue building her career. In India, Aswathy had worked as a Junior Advocate for three and a half years. However, despite her professional background, she faced significant barriers to employment in Canada.
As a newcomer and single parent, Aswathy was navigating a new country while balancing family responsibilities and financial pressures. Her legal credentials from India were not recognized in Canada, preventing her from pursuing opportunities in the legal field. In addition, she had no Canadian work experience and limited knowledge of the local labour market. After searching for employment for more than a year without success, she recognized that additional training would be necessary to achieve her career goals.
Seeking support, Aswathy connected with the Langley WorkBC Centre. Working closely with her Employment Counsellor, she developed a plan to transition her existing skills into a viable career pathway in Canada. Together, they identified the Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University as an excellent opportunity to leverage her legal background while gaining Canadian credentials.
To help remove the barriers that stood in the way of her success, WorkBC Langley provided comprehensive financial supports, including tuition funding, books and supplies, transportation assistance, and living supports throughout her training period from September 2025 to April 2026.
With these supports in place, Aswathy was able to focus on her studies and successfully complete both the classroom and practical components of the Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Program. The training equipped her with industry-relevant skills, Canadian workplace knowledge, and increased confidence in pursuing employment within the legal sector.
Today, Aswathy is actively preparing for her next career step. Through the continued support of WorkBC Langley, she is participating in resume development and interview preparation workshops and is being connected to employers through job development and wage subsidy opportunities.
