University of Manitoba - Student Counselling and Career Centre

Career Values

Sample Questions

Informational Interview Tips

Student and Mentor Evaluations

Student/Mentor Feedback

FAQs

Contact Information

Other Career Planning Resources

 

 

 

The Career Mentor Program

Networks, Connections, Confidence


What is it?

The Career Mentor Program is designed to help students explore their occupational options. Students are connected with committed professionals for informational interviews in the workplace, which helps them formulate career plans. Mentors share information about their occupations and offer practical, timely career advice:

The Career Mentor Program is a career planning program brought to you by the Counselling Service in partnership with the Alumni Association of the University of Manitoba.

 


How does it work?

The process that the Career Mentor Program follows is designed to ensure that both the students and the mentors are prepared for the meeting. The mentor is provided with a handbook on the program and the name of the student that will be contacting them. The student must attend an orientation session to evaluate their career values and go over a list of sample questions, before the actual meeting with the mentor. The steps for a student are simple. A student must:

  • Complete an application form and meet briefly with the Career Mentor Program Coordinators

  • Attend a half hour orientation session to prepare for the mentor visit.

  • After receiving the mentor's information from the coordinators, the student must contact their mentor within two weeks to set up a meeting date and time.

  • Visit the mentor in the workplace. This typically takes the form of an informational interview. Site tours and job shadowing are also options, depending on the mentor.

  • Complete an evaluation form, and ensure that the mentor also receives an evaluation form.

Benefits:

Students, by participating in the Career Mentor Program, are given the opportunity to bridge the gap from education to the workplace. The program allows them to:

  • Explore occupational options

  • Learn about the workplace through the firsthand experience of a mentor

  • Formulate realistic career goals

  • Gain confidence in their ability to connect with potential employers

  • Develop informational interview skills

  • Form valuable networks in the world of work

Mentors also benefit from the program. They are given the opportunity to:

  • Impact the career plans of students

  • Share information and advice

  • Promote their professions


Orientation Session

The orientation session prepares the student for their mentor visit by helping them make questions that are specific to the chosen occupation, and are grouped according to career values. In addition, protocol for the mentor visit is reviewed and, in many cases, the student will be given the mentor's name and address. Any questions that the student may have can be answered during this time.


Career Values

A very important part of the Career Mentor Program experience is the establishment of the student's career values. Career values are the needs, rewards, or satisfactions that we derive from or require from the work that we do. Career values can be thought of as our personal reasons for being motivated to work, or as our unique preferences for job satisfaction. Our career values are closely tied to our innate likes and dislikes, previous experiences, and social and cultural influences. Career values should be an essential factor in making career decisions. They can help you to decide which factors are important to you in your chosen occupation. After determining your priorities, it is easier to formulate questions for your mentor.

To download a printable version of the 14 career values click here.


The Sample Questions

The meeting with the mentor is an informational interview. Therefore, during the orientation session the student is given a list of sample questions that are grouped according to the career values. To view the sample questions click here.


Informational Interview Tips

The mentor meeting typically takes the form of an infomrational interview. It is important to make a good impression and to do everything possible to ensure that the meeting goes as smoothly as possible. For some tips on the informational interview click here!


Student and Mentor Evaluations

The students are given student and mentor evaluation forms during the orientation session. The student evaluation offers the chance to let the program coordinators know what the student thought of the program- ways that it can be improved, whether the matching to the mentor was appropriate, and what the student liked the most about the program. It is important that students bring the evaluation back to the program coordinators after the mentor visit because it confirms that the visit has taken place. If they do not receive the evaluation, the coordinators assume that the student has not visited the mentor and must send them an apology.

Click here to download a printable version of the student evaluation form

In addition to the student evaluation, there is a mentor evaluation that the student has to give to the mentor to fill out. The mentor evaluation gives mentors the opportunity to give feedback about the effectiveness of the program in preparing students for the interview and matching them to mentors. It also helps mentors to feel connected to the program.

Click here to download a printable version of the mentor evaluation form


Student and Mentor Feedback

Students and mentors agree- the Career Mentor Program should be a part of every student's career plans! Click here to read about successful Career Mentor Program connections!


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does it cost to participate in the Career Mentor Program?

It costs $10 for a student to participate in the mentor program but this is a one time fee; upon paying it students can meet with as many mentors as they want throughout all of their years in university.

Can I choose my own mentor from your database?

No- matching students to mentors is complex and time consuming. At present, the program has a database of over 700 mentors from a large array of professions. The program coordinators select a mentor for the student from this database in order to assure the best possible match. The coordinators decide which mentor is most appropriate based on what the mentor does and what the student is looking for.

How long is the mentor meeting?

The mentor visit should take approxiamtely an hour, although times may vary depending on the mentor. The visit typically takes the form of an informational interview, but site tours and job-shadowing experiences are also options, again depending on the mentor.

Where does the mentor meeting take place?

Usuallly the mentor will allow the student to meet with them right in the workplace. In some cases where this is not possible, like if the mentor works out of their home or confidentiality is an issue, the meeting could take place at a coffee shop, cafe, etc If need be, the student could meet with the mentor at the University instead of at their workplace by contacting the program coordinators and booking a room at the Student Counselling and Career Centre.


How to Sign up

If you are interested in either becoming a Career Mentor or in meeting with a Career Mentor, contact the Career Mentor Program Coordinators today!!

Career Mentor Program
474 University Centre
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
  • Phone: 474-8667
  • Email: cmp@ms.umanitoba.ca

OTHER CAREER PLANNING RESOURCES

The Student Counselling and Career Centre offers a comprehensive program to assist in career decision-making and planning. The Career Mentor Program is just one of the resources that are available.

Career Planning Workshop

The Career Planning workshop is the starting point for students seeking help with career planning decisions, questions and concerns. During each of the two sessions, a career counsellor will guide participants through a host of interactive activities and discussions. During session 1, students will discuss career planning strategies, career planning beliefs and myths and individual career planning needs. Student will also begin the process of career self-assessment.

In session 2, students will use self-assessment information to identify and evaluate potential career options. An overview of career resources will be included. Career planning barriers and solutions will be addressed. Upon completion of session two, interested students can receive up to three individual career counselling sessions with the facilitating counsellor.

Career Planning Workshops are held througout the year with a new session starting each week during the regular academic year. Students should pre-register at the Student Counselling and Career Centre. A nominal fee will apply.

Caeer Planning Workshop Dates.

Career Assessment and Testing

After attending a Career Orientation, students may choose from the following options:

Career Values Assessment Tools

Career Interest Inventories

Personality Indicators

Self-Directed Exercises

Career Search Groups

Individual appointment with a career counsellor

Career Resource Centre

The Career Resource Centre is the place to go if you want to explore occupational options or search for educational alternatives. The Centre holds a large number of holdings in a multi-media format, including:

Educational Information

Occupational Information

Career Planning and Job-Search Manuals

Company Resource Library

Business Directories, Magazines, and Newspapers

Labour Market Information

Guides for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Managers

Work Abroad Information

Information on Major Canadian Cities

Resources from other Departments on Campus:

Student Employment Services offer many resources to help you find full-time, part-time, or summer jobs. They also provide information and assistance with resume writing, job search strategies, and interview techniques. Student Employment Services is located at 474 University Centre.

Note: If you are a student in the Faculty of Management, you may want to check out the Faculty of Management Career Services Centre located at 144 Drake Centre.


Since February 21, 1996 you are visitor number to this page.

   December 18, 1998.

| University of Manitoba | Student Counselling and Career Centre | Career Resource Centre | Career Mentor Program | Career News |