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About the Commerce Mentorship Program

The purpose of the Mentorship Program is to ensure that each mentee is properly guided through the Commerce program with the help of their respective mentors (upper year Commerce students). Often students in first and second year do not have siblings or upper year friends to turn to for advice for many issues that one encounters in the commerce program. Those that have it consider it a key asset, leaving the ones who do not at a disadvantage. The purpose of the mentorship program is to eliminate that disadvantage by assigning members to a mentor for any of their concerns.

 

How does the Mentorship work? 

Mentors have been selected through an interview process. Mentees apply online and then one or two 1st/2nd year students are matched per mentor.
The UCS Mentorship program runs for the entire academic year till the end of March. Mentors are required to provide regular feedback to the program coordinator as the program progresses. 
Mentors must commit to contacting their mentee on a regular basis to see how they are doing and letting them know and encouraging them to participate in UCS and other campus events. There will be 2 social events held specifically for the participants in the mentorship program. There will be one in each semester and attendance is MANDATORY. In addition, there will be a Mentorship Volunteer event, where mentors and mentees will come together and participate in an event that will provide the students a valuable opportunity to give back to the community. It will not only enable students to connect with society and make it a better place, but it will also allow students to expand their network and strengthen their interpersonal skills.
Mentors and mentees are both expected to stay in constant touch with other and meet regularly. In addition, communication between the mentor and mentee(s) is encouraged via phone, email or facebook during the year. 
All accepted mentors and mentees have to attend the mandatory Mentorship Social on October 7, from 6-8pm in the Blind Duck Pub. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow mentees and mentors and at the end of the social, mentees will get to list their preferences for their mentor. 

Eligibility for Certificate

Successful mentors and mentees will receive official recognition from the Department of Management and the Undergraduate Commerce Society for their commitment and contribution to the program. 
At the end of the year, eligibility for the certificate for the Mentor will depend upon whether the mentor has attended the 2 mentorship socials and the volunteer event, in addition to staying in constant touch with their mentee. Eligibility for the certificate for the mentee will based on whether the mentee has attended the 2 mentorship socials and the volunteer event, in addition to staying connected with their mentor and completing the Mentor Survey form at year end.

 

Mentor of the Year Award

Beginning in the month of February, mentees will have to complete a mentor survey form, rating their mentor on specific criteria such as level of helpfulness, time provided by the mentor, etc. and also write a 150 word paragraph describing whether their mentor should get the Mentor of the Year award, and if yes, why?

 

Mentors can.... 

- Introduce you to other students in the commerce program by letting you know about UCS and campus events 
- Refer you to appropriate campus services when you require assistance (such as The Academic Skills centre, Academic Advisors, etc) 
- Share their academic and social university experiences so far and give friendly advice in a supportive environment 

Mentors cannot... 

- make decisions for you or tell you what to do, they can only share their experiences 
- be a replacement for Teaching Assistants or Professors and assess, evaluate or edit any course material for you 
- disregard the principles of academic integrity 

Most importantly, mentors are upper year students whove been there and done that and are willing to help you get off to a great start at UTM! 

If you require any further information please contact: 
Uria Park
professional.development@utmucs.ca or uria.park@utmucs.ca