Did you know பாலம் (Paalam) means bridge in Tamil?
Paalam is CTPA’s mentorship program that connects emerging Canadian professionals with the established in the Tamil community. Established in 2013, Paalam has been a driving force in empowering the Tamil community by fostering meaningful connections and providing mentorship opportunities that fuel professional growth and development for the next generation of leaders.
PROGRAMS
Tier 1 - Emerging Professionals
This tier is designed for recent undergraduates or individuals with 1-2 years of professional experience, seeking to enhance their skills and connect with rising and established leaders
Tier 2 - Developing Professionals
This tier is for individuals with limited professional experience (2-4 years), providing foundational skills and resources to launch their careers. This is a great way to get to the next level!
Tier 1: Emerging Professionals
This program is designed for recent graduates or individuals seeking to enhance their skills and connect with rising and established leaders in the Tamil community.
Mentee Eligibility
The Emerging Professionals program is seeking mentees who have an interest in stepping out of their comfort zone to meet new people and learn new skills.
See below for the Tier 1 mentee eligibility criteria:
Currently a student or recent graduate of an undergraduate program (college/university)
<2 years of full-time job experience
A verified LinkedIn profile
Able to commit a minimum of 2 hours/month for 6 months
Must complete Mentee Goal Setting Orientation in Summer 2025
Mentee Info Sheet
Click to Download
Mentor Eligibility
The Emerging Professionals program is seeking mentors who showcase a passion for sharing value with the community, and are interested in networking with others.
See below for the Tier 1 mentor eligibility criteria:
Completed undergraduate program (college/university) and/or in graduate school
Minimum 2 years of professional experience
A verified LinkedIn profile
Able to commit a minimum of 2 hours/month for 6 months
Must complete Mentor Leadership Orientation in Summer 2025
Mentor Info Sheet
Click to Download
Tier 2: Developing Professional
This program is for individuals with limited experience, providing foundational skills and resources to launch their careers.
Mentee Eligibility
The Developing Professionals program is seeking mentees who showcase an interest in developing professional & technical skills and networking with others.
See below for the Tier 2 mentee eligibility criteria:
2-4 years of professional experience
A verified LinkedIn profile
Able to commit at least 2 hours/month for 6 months
Must complete Mentee Goal Setting Orientation in Summer 2025
Mentee Info Sheet
Click to Download
Mentor Eligibility
The Developing Professionals program is seeking mentors who showcase a passion for sharing value with the community, and are committed to empowering others.
See below for the Tier 2 mentor eligibility criteria:
Completed undergraduate or graduate program (college/university)
Minimum of 5+ years of professional experience
A verified LinkedIn profile
Able to commit a minimum of 2 hours/months for 6 months
Must complete Mentor Leadership Orientation in Summer 2025
Mentor Info Sheet
Click to Download
Paalam Timeline
Why Paalam?
Benefits of பாலம் (Paalam) Program
1-1 Coaching
Learn with real professionals
Workshops + Certification
Tailored workshops and certifications
Connections
Meet many different professionals
Exclusive Resources + Events
Come to many different and unique events
Networking
Come grow your network
Mentor Leadership Recognition
Be recognized for your mentorship contributions
The Candian Tamil Professionals Association acknowledges Indigenous Peoples throughout Canada. This includes Inuit, Métis and more than 900,000 people living in more than 630 First Nations communities, and in cities and towns across these lands.