When Catherine Cañar left Ecuador to begin a new life in the United States, she wasn’t leaving behind an uncertain future… she was leaving behind a successful career.
For seven years, Catherine worked for Banco Pichincha, Ecuador’s largest financial institution, where she steadily advanced through multiple leadership and technical roles. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a master’s degree supported by her employer, she built expertise in project management, budgeting, process improvement, data analysis, and strategic planning.
Then everything changed.
After marrying her husband, a retired member of the U.S. military, Catherine moved to Southern California. Although she arrived with years of professional experience and advanced education, she quickly realized that rebuilding her career in the United States would require starting over from scratch.
“I had my degrees and my experience,” Catherine recalls. “But here everything was different: the regulations, the culture, the language. I had to relearn everything.”
Determined not to give up, Catherine accepted temporary retail jobs while searching for a way back into banking. She introduced herself to anyone willing to listen, asking only for an opportunity. Eventually, someone encouraged her to enroll in JVS SoCal’s BankWork$ program, a recommendation that would change her life.
For Catherine, BankWork$ offered far more than technical banking instruction. It helped her rediscover the confidence she needed after leaving behind a successful career.
“The program helped me remember who I am,” she says. “It helped me show my skills and my background and say, ‘This is who I am.'”
The curriculum familiarized her with U.S. banking regulations and customer service practices, but just as importantly, it prepared her to present herself confidently to employers. Through mock interviews, coaching, and professional development, she learned how to translate her international experience into value for American financial institutions.
One of the program’s defining moments came immediately after graduation, when employer partners interviewed students on site.
For Catherine, that opportunity removed one of the biggest barriers facing internationally trained professionals.
“When you apply online, you just wait and hope someone calls,” she says. “Here, you’re talking directly to recruiters. You get your foot in the door.”
JVS SoCal also provided practical support, including transportation assistance that made it possible for Catherine to attend training while commuting to Mid-City from San Pedro. More importantly, the program gave her encouragement to believe that her experience still mattered.
Her decision paid off. Today, Catherine is a Service Specialist at Citizens Business Bank. She continues building her banking career with the same passion that fueled her success in Ecuador. She credits BankWork$ not only with helping her reconnect with her profession, but with transforming her personally.
“JVS changed my life,” she says. “It made me a stronger, more confident version of myself.”
If you’re inspired by Catherine ‘s story and would like to help someone else achieve their dream, please donate today.