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
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.
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
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.
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