Newcomers from various fields and backgrounds are establishing themselves in Fort Frances as several new career-oriented individuals, including a law student, Economic Development Officer, and optometry student, have recently join its ranks.
Silas Young
Working to complete his legal studies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., Silas Young has joined the firm of Judson Howie LLP for a practice placement in Fort Frances.
“It’s a privilege to work with such brilliant lawyers in a thriving part of Northwestern Ontario,” he said, referring to the firm and his mentors.
Young previously worked as a caseworker for the criminal and provincial offences division of Lakehead University Community Legal Services as well as caseworker for the school’s Intellectual Property Legal Clinic.
Outside of his studies, Young assists newcomers to Canada as a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant. He is also passionate about teaching, taking time to educate students in business and law online at Oshki Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institution.
“Teaching is a big thing for me. When I get home from the office, sometimes I’ll hop right on the computer to start teaching a class,” Young said.
When he’s not focusing on his own education or educating others, most of Young’s pastimes revolve around physical activities. Hitting the gym, running and hockey at the Memorial Sports Centre are how he likes to spend his time off the clock.
Young said he’d like to get involved more in the community by coaching hockey locally, since he thoroughly enjoys both the sport and teaching.
Sumantra Ghosh
Brought on last October as the new Economic Development Officer in Fort Frances is Sumantra Ghosh, who grew up in Ottawa.
With an education background in economics, Ghosh completed his bachelor’s at Carlton University in Ottawa and his master’s at Barcelona School of Economics in Spain
Before his move to Fort Frances, Ghosh gained experience working for Transport Canada, dealing with regulations, security protocols, data analysis and policy making.
He also gained much experience abroad while working on economic development in Jordan, Qatar and Nigeria.
Ghosh said the work he will be focusing on in Fort Frances will entail finding incentives to bring in businesses, creating more jobs for residents.
When he’s not in the office, Ghosh’s biggest hobby is soccer. He grew up playing and watching the sport his whole life, and now plays weekly with a group he found in town.
Jason Yeung
The most recent of new arrivals, Jason Yeung moved to town last New Year’s Eve and is also working to complete his education. Originally from the North York area of Toronto, he decided to pursue a career in optometry, choosing to study at the University of Waterloo.
Before starting his program in Waterloo, Yeung completed his undergraduate degree studying Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Guelph.
Yeung is currently on his final placement in his goal to complete his schooling and said Fort Frances was his first choice of a location to be placed at.
“I’ve always wanted more rural exposure, being that I was born and raised in North York,” he said.
Yeung had his first exposure to optometry as a child, which sparked a lifelong interest in the profession. Needing glasses, but being resistant to the idea, he was shown by a doctor the difference it would make and the visual details he was constantly missing.
Yeung said shadowing optometrists during appointments got him even more invested in the field.
“I saw kids with the same reaction of putting on glasses for the first time and seeing their world clear for the first time. That, to me, was very rewarding,” he said.
Although he hasn’t been in town long enough to begin finding time for recreational activities, Yeung said his hobbies include tennis, basketball, camping and portaging. When he’s looking for something to do inside, he enjoys playing guitar and cooking.
Yeung is providing eye care to patients at Lidkea Optometry until mid-April and is on track to graduate this summer.
