Do you know someone new to the employee benefits industry who is eager to grow? Sophia Lam, CEBS, recipient of the 2018 Young Professionals Scholarship, discovered the opportunity through her mentor, Joanne Gones, shortly after graduating—kickstarting her journey into the field.
“[Gones] emphasized the importance of building a professional network and connecting with like-minded individuals,” said Lam, now a benefits analyst and disability management specialist at Grupo Bimbo Canada. She explained that what motivated her to apply was the prospect of attending the 44th Annual International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS) Employee Benefits Symposium, which she viewed as an invaluable opportunity to engage with current industry topics in an immersive setting.
“The chance to gain practical tools that I could immediately apply to my day-to-day work was a significant factor in my decision to pursue this scholarship,” Lam added.
The International Foundation Young Professionals Scholarship program will award six scholarships to cover the cost of conference registration to the winner’s choice of the Annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium, the U.S. Annual Employee Benefits Conference or the Canadian Annual Employee Benefits Conference.
The scholar must be nominated by a member of the International Foundation or ISCEBS who is employed by a professional service provider, a multiemployer trust fund or a single employer plan sponsor.
Preferably, nominees will have less than five years of experience in the benefits field and have demonstrated an interest in benefits and potential for future engagement with the International Foundation or ISCEBS. The deadline for applications is August 1, 2025.
Attending a conference offered by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans or the ISCEBS can provide young benefit professionals with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and receive encouragement to get involved.
Lam cited that one of the most valuable aspects of the scholarship was the connections she made with fellow professionals she met.
“The Symposium enhanced my skills and provided me with a lasting professional community to turn to throughout my career,” she said. “Whenever I face challenges or need fresh ideas, I can reach out to this network for support, for advice or to expand my knowledge further.”
For Lam, the scholarship was a pivotal step in advancing her career, complementing the knowledge she gained through her Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® (CEBS®) designation and other educational achievements, and helping cultivate her passion for employee benefits.
Lam’s participation in conferences and educational sessions has deepened her understanding of total rewards strategies, enabling her to help organizations achieve their goals to help attract, motivate and retain top talent.
Since receiving the scholarship, Lam has joined her local chapter board and now mentors young professionals, paying forward the guidance and opportunities that shaped her career. She’s passionate about helping the next generation of professionals as they navigate their professional paths.
“By sharing my experiences and insights, I aim to show them the value of building relationships and accessing the resources that helped me grow,” Lam said. She hopes to offer the same support and encouragement she received and foster a collaborative environment where individuals can thrive and grow in their careers.
For more information or to submit an application, visit us at ifebp.org/youngprofessionals.
