Inspirational young immigrant embraces entrepreneurial spirit

The love for entrepreneurship Agamjit Singh Sivia developed in junior achievement has the young Calgarian pursuing a career in business

Changing schools is a difficult process for most teenagers, but moving from your country of birth to a school on the other side of the world is an intimidating process. Agamjit Singh Sivia embraced the challenge and achieved success.

Agam, as his friends call him, relocated to Calgary from India in 2009, when he was in junior high school. His older brother encouraged him to become involved with Junior Achievement - Southern Alberta, a group which ignited his passion for business.

“That really got me into the field of entrepreneurship,” recollects Agam. “I did junior achievement every single year in my high school and grade nine, so four years and even on the side when I was in high school I was just trying to get more involved. I started two of my own businesses.”

Agam graduated from Western Canada High School in 2014 and now attends the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University in London, Ontario.

“The business school (has a) really good reputation and they have a great alumni network,” said Agam. “The Western community is a great community. It makes you fit in well.”

Hanna Watson, manager of high school events and programs at junior achievement, southern Alberta, has high praise for Agam.

“He's only been in Canada for a few years. he has a very clear goal of what he wants to do and what he wants to become, but at the same time he's sticking to his values,” said Hanna. “He's such a kind person, such a nice person to be around.”

Agam's father, attorney Krishanjit Sivia, had a successful career in India. When he moved to Calgary, he had to go through the challenging process of qualifying to practice law here.

Agam has written about how his father’s dedication inspired him.

“He quoted me in one of his stories that how he got motivated by my own instances and how, through all these years, I was struggling and I had to do some odd jobs and ultimately I went through.”

For the way he's adapted to his new home and for his determination to contribute to Canada, Agamjit Singh Sivia is this week’s Inspiring Albertan.

With files from CTV's Darrel Janz