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About us

Career Connections Nova Scotia Works staff provide a warm and friendly environment for clients who are seeking assistance with their job search and career development.

 

Dedicated to being of service to individuals and our community at large, our knowledgeable team is responsible for making a difference in the lives of each and every client through the delivery of innovative programs and outstanding services. We have a commitment to excellence, cultural diversity, equity, inclusion practices and mutual respect.

 

A community-based society, Career Connections Society (incorporated in 1997), oversees our development and administration, working with user groups to maximize available resources. Prior to the creation of Career Connections Nova Scotia Works in 2016, each of the locations in Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough County offered employment services separately.

 

Most of the current Career Connections Nova Scotia Works staff belonged to one of the following career centres: Career Connections in New Glasgow, Antigonish Career Resource Centre in Antigonish, Career and Job Counselling Centre in Guysborough and the Antigonish Guysborough Black Development Association.

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We have 20+ years of experience! We belong to the Nova Scotia Career Development Association (NSCDA) and most of our staff members have earned the designation of Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP).

 

We receive annual career development and training opportunities on the following topics: Case Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Engaging Employers, Problem Solving, Mental Health Strategies, Change Management, Problem Solving, Leadership Development, Facilitation Skills and more.

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Career Connections Nova Scotia Works is fully funded by the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration under the direction of Employment Nova Scotia.

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Mission

To provide inclusive employment services to residents of Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties.

Vision

Career Connections is a leading provider of career development services in a professional and welcoming environment. Dedicated to being of service to individuals and our community at large, our knowledgeable, supportive, and compassionate team is committed to making a difference in the lives of each and every client through the delivery of innovative programs and outstanding services.

Meet the team

Meet our dynamic team of dedicated professionals, each bringing a unique blend of expertise and passion to Career Connections.

Amanda White

Amanda White

Executive Director

As our leader, Amanda has 20+ years in employment services and consistently nurtures opportunities for staff and clients to achieve excellence. She is a trail blazer professionally and in her extracurricular activities when she is riding her ATV. Amanda enjoys adventures in nature with her family, friends and dog.
Heather MacIsaac

Heather MacIsaac

Operations Manager

Heather is a kind, hard working, mother of two sons. She is a diehard Montreal Canadiens fan and enjoys cooking. She stresses the importance of creating a resume to reflect who you are and what you can offer an employer. Something you may not know…she was once a Provincial Frisbee Champion.
Kim Avery

Kim Avery

Team Lead / Employer Engagement Specialist

We are very excited to announce Kim Avery has taken on the role of Team Lead and Employer Engagement Specialist for our Antigonish and Guysborough locations! Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has an active lifestyle which includes walking and camping.
Lorraine DeYoung

Lorraine DeYoung

Financial Manager

Lorraine’s first job was at Tim Hortons and she remains dedicated to a career in service. She is strong willed, determined and resourceful. She has an investigative personality and emphasizes the importance of exploring the hidden market. In her office she displays, with pride, pictures made by her three children.
Jackie Cameron

Jackie Cameron

Case Manager

Always smiling, Jackie is one of the first faces you see at our Antigonish office. She lives in a century home and has a strong devotion to family. She is eager to help and enjoys meeting new people.
Jason MacDonald

Jason MacDonald

Job Developer / Case Manager

His nonjudgmental, honest, and client focused approach make him an outstanding team member. As an antique car enthusiast, he enjoys his time away from the office too. Always professional, Jason has extensive experience in career services and ongoing respect for the people he helps.
Sydni Conway

Sydni Conway

Case Manager

Hi, I’m Sydni! I am a Case Manager for our Pictou County location. Outside of the office, you can find me spending time with my husband, our cat, Theodore and Goldendoodle, Penelope. I am a huge baseball fan (Go Blue Jays!) and I love to travel, especially to cities with an MLB team. My husband and I set a goal to visit all MLB stadiums, at least once in our lifetime!
Ann MacGregor

Ann MacGregor

Employer Engagement Specialist

Ann is the Employer Engagement Specialist for Pictou County. She has a background in communications and is passionate about her community. Ann is excited about connecting with local businesses and non-profits, many of which she is already very familiar with after 20 years working at the local radio station. Ann loves spending time with family and friends. Her interests include reading, cooking, and camping adventures!
Donna Hochman

Donna Hochman

Case Manager

Donna has extensive leadership experience and work history in providing employment services. She is caring, determined and open-minded. Community minded and always willing to help others; Donna strives to make a difference in people's lives.
Ashleigh Ouellette

Ashleigh Ouellette

Case Manager

Hello, my name is Ashleigh and I am looking forward to being a part of the team at Career Connections as a Case Manager. I am enthusiastic about helping people achieve their goals, teaching, and the values of human connection. In my free time, I enjoy painting, listening to music, and learning about linguistics. I also believe that there is never a bad time to enjoy a hot cup of tea!
Adam Burke

Adam Burke

Case Manager / Job Developer

Hi, I’m Adam! I am a Case Manager /Job Developer for our Antigonish County location. A few things about me, I’ve been married for 25 years, I have 3 children, 22, 18, and 15 years old. Over the last 10 years, we have built a small hobby farm with horses and chickens. I enjoy woodworking, camping, watching live music and live stand up comedy. My family is heavily involved in 4H, where all three of my kids have been members, and where I am the “Great Outdoors” project leader.
Mica Hector

Mica Hector

Information Resource Specialist

Hi, I'm Mica! I am the Information Resource Specialist for the Antigonish County location of Nova Scotia Works. Originally from Antigua and Barbuda, I graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. I enjoy connecting with people and helping them access the resources and opportunities they need to reach their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy following Formula 1, listening to music, and exploring different cultural dishes. I look forward to connecting with and supporting members of our community. Welcome to our team Mica!
Jessie Falcitelli

Jessie Falcitelli

Workshop Coordinator

Jessie returned to school as a mature student demonstrating her interest in improving herself professionally and personally. She has pride in her relationships with coworkers and identifies her CCDP (Certified Career Development Practitioner) completion as a career highlight. Always smiling she is friendly, caring and compassionate. You may not know that Jessie loves to paint and sing.
Kyla Kirwan

Kyla Kirwan

Bilingual Case Manager / Career Counsellor

Hi, I’m Kyla! I am the Bilingual Case Manager and Career Counsellor for Pictou County. I enjoy spending time with my rescue animals, two dogs, Clover and Rocco, and two cats, Lucy and Daisy. I am an avid DIYer, everything from arts & crafts, home renovations, to automotive repairs. A quote I love is: “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” – Bill Nye
Aaron Fanning

Aaron Fanning

MentorAbility Facilitator

Hey, I’m Aaron! I am the Mentor Ability Facilitator for Antigonish, Pictou, and Guysborough Counties. I enjoy attending local sporting events with friends and family, being active and being a part of my community. I have a love for all sports, being outside and helping others. I am very excited to be a part of the team!
Jayden Tibbo-Desmond

Jayden Tibbo-Desmond

Summer Intern Information Resource Specialist

We’re excited to welcome Jayden to the Nova Scotia Works Career Connections team as our Information Resource Specialist for the summer! Jayden is a 2025 NSCC graduate and is currently studying business at StFX. When he’s not at work, you’ll find him playing and coaching rugby with the Pictou County Rugby Club. We’re thrilled to have you on the team, Jayden—welcome aboard!
Joey Desmond

Joey Desmond

School Liaison

“The journey is just as important as the destination”, is a saying that Joey lives by. He stresses the importance of continuing education and recently graduated from NSCC in 2020. Joey can usually be found playing or coaching basketball or spending time with his wife and 3 kids.
Katie Pellerin

Katie Pellerin

School Liaison

My lifelong passion for supporting and advocating for youth is what lead me to this exciting role as a School Liaison. As a busy mother of three, I spend most of my time coaching/attending sporting events, visiting the beach as often as possible, and singing excessively loud in the car on road trips. I also enjoy creating and facilitating interactive peer-support programs for youth in my community, meteor showers, and big family dinners! I am really looking forward to connecting with the youth of Guysborough & Antigonish counties when school returns in the fall. "The sky is full of stars and there's room for all of them to shine!" – Unknown
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