Connect Concordia mentorship program

Mentees will dive into the professional life of their mentor at Concordia, learn about their mentor’s career path and experience a real-life work environment. Mentees can also discuss their own projects and goals, all while working on their professional communication skills.

Equity deserving undergraduate students will receive a $140 participation stipend! Equity deserving students include: International students, newcomers and refugees, Students with disabilities, Black students, Indigenous students, People of colour and students of racialized groups, members of the LGBTQ2S+, parents and caregivers.

How it works

Why be a mentor?

Do you remember a teacher, coach or former supervisor who had a part in shaping your path? This is your chance to do that for someone else. Mentoring can instigate positive change in a student’s life all while you hone your coaching and leadership skills and learn more about this generation of students.

The program will connect you to an undergraduate student for a period of about 10 hours of mentoring over the course of a term (schedule to be determined by both parties) online or in person.

You can invite your mentee to a meeting or presentation, take them on a tour of your lab, and show them what you’re working on. You can also discuss your career path, their goals and offer supportive advice. This unique observational internship will allow students to be mentored all while learning more about your impact at Concordia.

Applying

• We accept mentor applications on an ongoing basis during the terms the program is running. 
• The program is intended for all undergraduate students and equity deserving undergraduates will receive a $140 stipend for their participation.

Before the match

• We will assign students to mentors based on the interests and goals voiced in their applications.
• We do not expect all students to have clear goals, this program is intended to be an ‘observational internship’ and a space for the student to work on professional communication skills as well as self-discovery.
• We will e-introduce you to your student mentee and leave it to the both of you to arrange your meetings (in-person or online depending on health restrictions and preferences).

Before the meeting

• Identify some goals and expectations you have for the experience. What do you want to learn from the student and what can they learn from you? See a list of sample questions below to help you get started.
• Identify interesting opportunities for the student. Will you be giving a presentation they can assist? Can they tour your office or labs and meet your colleagues?

During the initial meeting

• During your first meeting, make the student feel comfortable by explaining your role. Answer any questions they may have about the mentoring process. Discuss your expectations and desired outcomes.
• Explain what you’re prepared to do for them: coach, teach, share experiences. Explain what you’re not prepared to do for them: provide mental health counselling for example.

Please fill out the feedback form to help us improve our program. The link will be sent via email.

Sample questions to ask students

• What was the path you took that brought you to Concordia?
• What stood out about Concordia, why did you choose to study here?
• Are you involved outside of the classroom?
• What have you enjoyed most about your university career so far? Is there any part you would avoid?
• What is the best part? What is the hardest part?
• What are your summer goals / post-graduation goals?
• What made you join the mentorship program?

Mentoring Resources

The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is working to increase mentorship capacity in Canada’s work-integrated learning (WIL) ecosystems and make it sustainable. Explore BHER’s mentorship videos and resources below to learn more!

• Mentoring Post-Secondary Students free online course
• WIL Mentorship