Aisha Ali – Ontario – Sr. Business Systems Analyst at CIBC – 2025
“Before NPower Canada I didn’t even know what my options were. Now, I know exactly where I’m headed. And the future? Well, it looks a lot brighter than I ever imagined.”
Aisha’s journey began with uncertainty and failures, and evolved to resilience, and successes.
Aisha felt extremely lost before joining NPower Canada’s Service Analyst program in 2017. “My friends were in college/university and fulfilling their dreams, but I had no idea what I even wanted to do,” she shared. Working in dead-end, minimum-wage jobs—call centers, customer service, and retail, Aisha wasn’t sure what to do next.
A knee surgery forced Aisha to change career options. “I needed something more but didn’t want to try and fail in an expensive university or college program.” Referred by a friend, Aisha learned about the free programs and career support that NPower Canada provides.
“When I heard about NPower Canada’s program, I thought it was a scam. I mean, job training, IT certifications, career coaching, and alumni support for free? It sounded too good to be true.” But once Aisha saw the success her friend had achieved with the program, she knew she had to give it a shot.
After being out of school for ten years, Aisha struggled in the program at first. “I failed a few exams,” Aisha admitted, but the support from her classmates and NPower Canada’s social worker helped her push through. “What I learned through the program was grit. In fact, it was a whole class lesson. It’s not about how many times you fall; it’s about how many times you get back up, dust off your ego, and say, ‘Alright, let’s do it again!'”
After graduating, Aisha received wrap around support from the Career Services Team, and she landed a job as a service desk analyst at CIBC, making her mother “so proud” in the process. Aisha didn’t stop there! She wanted to give back to NPower Canada. So, she became a mentor to new program participants. She also served on the Youth Advisory Council, where she helped to organize social events for alumni and to improved the alumni experience.
As an alumnus, Aisha was also able to take another certification for free with NPower Canada. She completed the Google project management program and was promoted to a Business Systems Analyst at CIBC. “Every day, I feel so fulfilled, motivated and grateful to be where I am!”
Aisha’s goal is to become a project manager, and with the skills she has gained from NPower Canada, she knows that it is within reach. “To those considering supporting this incredible organization, let me leave you with this: it’s not just about technical skills or job placements. It’s about hope, direction, and a community that believes in you even when you’re doubting yourself. I’m living proof of that change.”