Belonging in a professional environment goes beyond having the right skills. Gabriel Alves explores belonging as a professional skill — how actively inserting yourself into communities can transform your career trajectory, especially as an immigrant navigating a new country. From Sergipe — the smallest state in Brazil — to Calgary, Alberta. From Civil Engineering to software development. Gabriel Alves’s journey is living proof that starting over is possible, even when everything seems to be working against you.
But what truly made the difference in that journey wasn’t a course, a certification, or any specific technical knowledge. It was belonging.
In this talk, Gabriel shares how actively inserting himself into communities — even as an introvert, even under the enormous pressure of immigration — was the skill that transformed his career and his life in Canada. Belonging, in this context, is not a passive feeling: it’s a strategy. It’s a choice. It’s a professional skill that anyone can develop.
If you are an immigrant, trying to change fields, or simply want to build more meaningful connections in Calgary, this conversation will resonate in a very special way.
Not in tech? Come anyway!
And, like every CBRT event, the focus goes beyond the talk: networking is a central part of the evening. Come exchange experiences, meet other Brazilians, and strengthen our community in Calgary.
Networking runs on snacks.
We've got you covered. Light bites and drinks to keep the evening going.
