Support a graduate student: alumni mentoring

Registration to become a mentor is now closed for 2024-2025

If you have any questions, contact the committee at lmpmc@utoronto.ca

Mentoring is about supporting people to help them develop more effectively.

By sharing your experiences and insights, you can have a meaningful impact on current graduate students at LMP.

Depending on how much time you want to commit, there are two main ways to mentor graduate students in LMP:

Short, flexible commitment: Join the Peer Communication Team (PCT) and provide coaching and advise on a students' up-coming presentation. They may be preparing for a committee meeting, oral defence, job interview or any other talk. You would join a group of coaches for one hour to listen to their presentation and give immediate feedback.
Longer commitment: become a mentor through the LMP Mentoring Program and mentor a student October - June. See more below.

Becoming a mentor in the LMP Mentoring Program

You can support current graduate students by helping them:

to develop and practice important skills needed for the workplace.
better understand their career choices.
build a practical and realistic picture of the working world.
develop their network of contacts with individuals in their area of interest - even more vital in a pandemic, and post-pandemic world.
with practical advice on job searches and applications.

Registration for this cycle is now closed. If you have any questions, contact the committee at lmpmc@utoronto.ca

How does it work?

We open registration for mentors and mentees at the start of the academic year (September). Using the information provided in the registration form, the LMP Mentorship Committee, comprised of LMP staff, students and alumni, match mentors and mentees.

At the end of the program in June, all participants complete an evaluation so we can report on the effectiveness of the program and make improvements for the next cycle.

The timeline for 2024/2025

Now, until September 30: Registration is open for mentees.

Now, until October 18: Registration is open for mentors.

Week of October 28: We introduce mentors and mentees to their match

End October (date TBC): Mentoring orientation event – compulsory for all mentees, mentors are welcome to attend. We’ll guide new mentees through how to get the most out of the mentoring program, how to be a great mentee, and what resources and supports are available.

November 22: Deadline for rematching. If something hasn’t gone to plan, we will try our best to find a new mentor or mentee for those affected.

June, date TBC: Weather depending – our summer social networking event, downtown Toronto.

End of June: Mentors and mentees hold their final meeting and summarize progress. All participants must complete the program evaluation.

Program expectations

What will expected from you if you register for the program.

Mentor responsibilities

Do approach your mentee to start communication and set up meetings. If you get no response, please let the Mentorship Council (at lmpmc@utoronto.ca) know by the November deadline so you can be rematched.

Depending on the particular goals of the mentee, as a mentor, your responsibilities may include:

helping to set short-term learning objectives and short-term and long-term career goals.
recommending and/or creating specific learning or development opportunities, including leadership development.
relaying and modeling the best practices, values, and culture within your field, including challenging aspects.
recognizing strengths and areas for development for your mentee.
providing valuable and constructive feedback.
establishing personal boundaries, expectations and communication methods early on.

A mentor is not...

A tutor.
A counselor.
Someone the mentee approaches for a job.

Mentee responsibilities

As a requirement, mentees must:

Approach your mentor to start communication and set up meetings. If you get no response, you must let the Mentorship Council (at lmpmc@utoronto.ca) know by the November deadline so you can be rematched.
Complete meeting forms for a minimum of three meetings (forms will be provided).
Set goals for the relationship. We will provide a template, which you do not have to use, but you need to set goals and share them with your mentor in some way.
Attend the orientation meeting in October/November.
Complete the evaluation form sent to you in June.

To get the best experience from the program, we expect mentees to:

be responsible to initiate communications with your mentor.
take the lead in scheduling meeting times and locations.
be respectful of your mentors’ time: be punctual and give advance notice of cancellations.
prepare questions and issues to discuss in advance of the meeting.
be willing to participate in an open and honest discussion about your background, interests, work experiences, and career goals.
respect the confidentiality and privacy of your mentor.

A group of men and women smiling at the camera

The LMP Mentorship Committee

We are a group of LMP students, staff and alumni who manage the program and make matches!

The council is comprised of:

April Morris, LMP staff: Graduate Program Administrator
Yuetong (Julia) Song: current LMP graduate student - Co President
Megan McRae: current LMP graduate student - Co President
Maryam Khalil: current LMP graduate student
Jenny Zhang: current LMP graduate student
Rupal Hatkar: current LMP graduate student
Courtney Irwin: current LMP graduate student
Ruilin Wu: current LMP graduate student