Become an Alumni Mentor
Are you an Innis alum or a friend of Innis College? Would you like to share your career and life experiences, knowledge and insights with a motivated student — who is equally enthusiastic to express their hopes, dreams, and perspective on life?
The Innis Alumni Mentorship Program matches alumni with upper-year students in the same (or a similar or related) field. In this one-to-one program, you’ll meet regularly with your mentee, and will also attend talks and workshops presented by the College.
Why become a mentor?
- Share what you’ve learned in your career and life to support an Innis student’s entry into the workforce; giving back feels great!
- Take the opportunity to explore and reflect on your own career experiences with a student who has a fresh perspective; you’ll find your mentor-mentee relationship is a real partnership with learning on both sides
- Enhance your career portfolio and list of accomplishments through your involvement; attending program seminars will add to your professional development goals
- Connect with students and other professionals to expand your network
How the program works
1. You’re matched with a student
Based on mentee applications, we do our best to match you with an upper-year student whose program of study is aligned with your field of expertise.
2. Meet your mentee at the fall mentor-mentee event
You’ll be invited to meet your mentee at Innis College during the first meet ‘n greet event, usually held in November.
3. Meet regularly during the academic year
Get ready to enjoy a fun and rewarding relationship! Connect with your student — you both decide how, where, and when, meeting on a monthly basis.
Three streams of mentorship
Alumni Mentorship
Black Alumni Mentorship
This option operates similarly to the Alumni Mentorship stream but is intended for Black students who wish to be paired with a Black alumni mentor.
Micro-Mentorship
Can’t commit to the seven-month program? This stream connects alumni and students for one-time coffee chats. After signing up, you are added to a waitlist, and then are connected on a first come, first served basis when a suitable student is available.
FAQs
Your mentee will be an Innis, Cinema Studies, Urban Studies, or Writing & Rhetoric student who has demonstrated commitment and a desire to benefit from the program. Their aspirations will be complementary to your experiences.
Early in your mentorship, participants will complete the Mentee-Mentor Agreement. This outlines both your goals and expectations, and it will serve as a guide to ensure commitment and accountability. We also provide ongoing support if you or your mentee has questions or concerns about any aspect of the relationship.
The mentorship cycle runs October through to April and is launched with a reception for all program participants. You both commit to meeting at least once per month; the details are up to you and your mentee. We all come together again at the end of the program to wrap up and celebrate the experience.
Learn about Innis alumni mentorship from mentee and mentor Francisca and Jim
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Want to become a mentor?
Take the next step to what could be one of your most rewarding personal and professional experiences by completing the mentorship application form here.
Is there a handbook for that?
You’ll find everything you need, including important dates, goals and learning outcomes, suggested starter questions, and a copy of the Mentor-Mentee Agreement in the Mentorship Handbook.
Have more questions about mentorship?
Please contact the Innis Alumni Office: