Career Mentor Program

Networks, Connections, Confidence

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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 service brought to you by Career Services in the Student Counselling & Career Centre at the University of Manitoba.

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How does it work?

The Career Mentor Program operates during the regular session academic year - September to April.  The process that the 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 or another mutually convenient location. 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.

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Benefits:

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

• Explore occupational options

• Learn about an occupation or industry through the firsthand experience of a mentor

• Formulate realistic career goals

• Gain confidence in their career decisions or 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