How Priyanka Landed an Analytics Role at J.D. Irving, Limited Through Intro to Tech in NB
The Intro to Tech in NB program, led by TechImpact in partnership with Envision Saint John, and the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick Newcomer Connections program, helps job seekers transition into the province’s growing tech industry. The program provides structured training, hands-on coaching, and direct employer engagement, bridging the gap between skilled professionals and hiring companies.
For Priyanka Bhamare, a data-driven professional with a Master’s in Computer Science specializing in Data Science and Analytics, breaking into the Canadian job market wasn’t easy. Originally from India, she had 3.5 years of experience as a Software Developer.
However, when she graduated with her master’s degree from the University of New Brunswick, the job market had slowed down and she struggled to land interviews despite her strong technical background in Python, SQL, and statistical modeling.
Determined to make the most of her time, she kept learning, refined her resume, expanded her portfolio, and kept applying to job openings, but without industry connections, breaking through was a challenge. That’s when she discovered Intro to Tech in NB, a decision that changed the course of her job search.
Facing the Challenges of a Competitive Job Market
With an impressive 4.0 GPA in her master’s program and hands-on experience in machine learning and data analytics, Priyanka knew she had valuable skills to offer. But with a shifting job market and limited responses to applications, she realized it was time to rethink her approach.
Like many job seekers, she found herself:
Responding to job postings but rarely hearing back
Questioning if her strategy was aligned with what employers were really looking for
Instead of getting discouraged, Priyanka took proactive steps to move forward. She:
✅ Worked on personal projects to enhance her portfolio
✅ Refined her resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight key technical skills
✅ Attended career fairs and started networking more intentionally
That’s when she discovered Intro to Tech in NB, which provided the support, strategy, and industry connections she needed.
How the Program Helped Priyanka Get Hired
Through Intro to Tech in NB, Priyanka learned that job searching is about more than just applications. It’s about strategy, positioning, and relationships.
“The program provided valuable insights, but one of the most impactful aspects was realizing that I wasn’t alone in this journey. It reassured me that while I could always work on improving my approach, some factors, like the job market, were beyond my control.” - Priyanka
Here’s what made the biggest difference in her journey:
Networking & Career Fair Insights – At the Tech Job Fair, she reconnected with a recruiter she had met at a UNB career event. When they recognized her name and mentioned that her LinkedIn profile kept appearing in their searches, she realized her profile was making an impact.
Resume & LinkedIn Optimization – The program helped her fine-tune her resume to align with local employer expectations, ensuring her technical skills stood out.
Employer Engagement & Confidence Building – Learning about hiring trends, employer expectations, and the New Brunswick tech ecosystem helped her approach job applications more effectively.
Two months after the job fair, that same recruiter reached out to her with a job opportunity. That connection led to her current role as an Analytics Solution Designer at J.D. Irving, Limited!
Thriving as an Analytics Solution Designer at J.D. Irving, Limited
Now working at J.D. Irving, Limited, Priyanka is in a role that perfectly aligns with her passion for data analytics and machine learning.
Her role involves:
Analyzing complex datasets to uncover meaningful business insights
Designing analytics solutions to support data-driven decision-making
Working with modern data tools like Python, SQL, Microsoft Azure, and Power BI
Her first month has already been a rewarding experience, with an incredibly supportive team, exciting challenges, and opportunities to contribute to real projects.
"The team is extremely helpful, and I’ve been able to apply my skills right away. Even in my first month, I’ve had the chance to work on impactful projects and gain a deeper understanding of the company’s analytics ecosystem."
She sees huge potential for career growth in New Brunswick’s evolving tech industry, especially as demand for data professionals continues to rise.
Want to know more about the Intro to Tech in NB program? Click here.