Translated from French

“I’m Sila! My professional journey started early in management, with my first job in fast food at the age of 16, where I quickly advanced to shift supervisor. Although I initially studied arts and literature to become an ESL teacher, my versatility and love for teamwork eventually led me to clinical coordination.

Originally from Vaudreuil, I moved to Montreal at 17 to continue my studies at Cégep de Rosemont. Balancing school and work wasn’t easy, so I decided to work full-time at Café Dépôt for seven years, progressing from assistant manager to manager. I had an amazing boss who encouraged me to go back to school, often saying, ‘You’re young, smart, go for it, don’t give up’. Thanks to his encouragement, I earned my diploma in secretarial studies in 2012.

In 2016, I welcomed my first daughter. After my maternity leave, I decided to pursue a job in administration, which led me to join ForceMedic (now CMME) as a medical secretary. Despite having no prior experience in healthcare, I knew I was capable. My daughter strengthened my determination, and this first step marked the beginning of a journey filled with challenges and growth. Years later, I’m still eager to evolve.

My coordinator at the time encouraged me to become her assistant, convinced of my potential and the positive feedback from the doctors (not knowing I was about to announce my pregnancy with baby #2!). I worked at various branches, always motivated to return. After my maternity leave, my former manager offered me the position of coordinator in the rehabilitation department. Despite my apprehensions, I decided to embrace a new chapter, gaining valuable experience alongside therapists, administrative assistants, and medical specialists - right before the (surprise) arrival of baby #3! During this maternity leave, I explored various fields like real estate brokerage, apartment rentals, customer service, accounting, and more. Each venture became a learning opportunity, reinforcing my belief that an open mind and a willingness to explore are the keys to a fulfilling career. Today, I’m proud to be the team leader at CMME St-Léonard!

Thanks to my parents, I’ve learned to persevere and never give up - values that continue to guide me. Along the way, I also discovered a hidden talent for IT, fixing computers and setting up printers at different branches.

My journey is far from over: whether it’s diving deeper into IT, translation, or even nursing to better support my team, I remain open to new opportunities (laughs!). The idea of earning a bachelor’s degree to teach secretarial studies also crosses my mind, but maybe one day. Every step, every challenge has led me to where I am today. And for that, I’m grateful.”