The Alumni Mentorship Initiative - Presentation (Aug 13 2012)

7/31/2019 The Alumni Mentorship Initiative - Presentation (Aug 13 2012)

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The Alumni Mentorship Initiative

The Alumni Networkof the University of Torontos School ofPublic Policy and Governance (SPPG)


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The Alumni Network

Represents all of School of Public Policy andGovernances (SPPG) graduating classes (now ~150members), with all graduates welcome to join theleadership group

Provides a variety of professional, academic and socialopportunities for alumni, allowing members to participatein the community as they choose

The Networks two objectives:I. To maintain the connections and associations with the

School and with each other in order to contribute to improvethe policy discussion in Ontario and Canada, and

II. To leverage the skills, knowledge and resources of thealumni collective to offer support to the School of PublicPolicy, students, staff and faculty.


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The Mentoring Initiative

The Alumni Network of the School of Public Policy andGovernance (SPPG) is offering a mentorship initiative with twoelements:

an online Alumni Libraryfor easy one-time connections,

a formal Mentorship Programthat matches alumni and currentstudents over an eight-month period.

The objectives:

To invite peer guidance from young policy professionals tocurrently enrolled students as they plan their careers and setprofessional goals;

To capitalize on the professional capital of the growing alumninetwork in a flexible and productive manner;

To build meaningful, relevant, andproductive relationships between graduates and students; and

To offeran opportunity for alumni to remain connected with

students and the broader SPPG community.


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The Benefits of Mentorship? ForStudents

A chance to learn from a person with expertise in their fields of professional interest First-hand insights into workplace challenges and expectations

Support in accessing professional networks

A way to build meaningful relationships with alumni

Enhanced self-awareness, values and professional or personal goals

ForAlumni A satisfying opportunity to help current students

A simple and important way to give back to and maintain ties with the SPPG

A means to build connections, share experiences and learn from policy peers

Support their own learning objectives, policy careers and professional growth

For the SPPG An enticing offering for prospective students

An avenue through which to improve the educational experience

A compliment to SPPGs professional development programming

A way to maintain strong ties with its alumni community


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The Alumni Library: explained

Unveiled in January 2012, the Alumni Library is alow-commitment online resource for studentsmodeled on the Toronto Public Library's HumanLibrary

Provides a searchable roster of over 50 SPPGalumni they can connect with to seek insights andadvice to support their professional development

A one-off opportunity for students to: seek information (e.g. tell me about your industry),

request connections (e.g. do you know anyone in thisfield?) or

ask for advice (e.g. how should I prepare for aninterview?
http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/human-library/http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/human-library/http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/human-library/http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/human-library/


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The Alumni Library


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The formal Mentorship Program

What is formal mentorship?

It is a developmental partnershipthrough which there is a sharing ofknowledge, skills, information, andperspective over a defined period of time

to support the personal and professionalgrowth of one or both of the partners

The purpose of the MentorshipProgram?

To provide students with a head start inreaching their learning and professionaldevelopment goals while at SPPG, and inpursuing their career goals after

graduation


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The formal Mentorship Program: explained

Pilot program for the 2012-13 academic year thatwill match alumni with students over a period of eightmonths (October 12 May 13)

Student-Alumni matching through an applicationprocess that seeks to create partnerships based onaligning interests and objectives (e.g. industry, policy

area, skill development) and logistical considerations(e.g. location)

Supports and guidance are provided to helpprepare for the mentoring relationship, structure it andestablish objectives and expectations, and grow andprogress in the partnership

The Program has been developed by the AlumniNetwork, in consultation with the SPPG StudentUnion and the SPPG Administration over the pastyear


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The formal Mentorship Program: timelines

Late Aug 2012 - ApplicationProcess

Early Sept 2012 - MatchingProcess

Late Sept 2012 - Orientationand Welcome Event

Oct-April 2013 - MentorshipPartnerships in Progress

May 2013 - Formal

Partnerships End

Summer 2013 - AnnualReview

Application process begins in late August To match students and alumni based on learning

objectives, areas of expertise and industries of interest,and logistical considerations

Orientation and welcome event in late September

For introductions, program overview, and guidance on howto build relationships

Partnerships run from October to April Up to the partners how to structure relationships, based on

their learning needs and schedules

End of formal partnerships in May 2013 Partners assess the success of the partnerships, further

goals / strategies for the student, and whether to keep intouch informally


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The formal Mentorship Program: tools and

supports

Orientation and welcome session inSeptember

Periodic check-ins by Alumni NetworkProgram Administrators

Supports and tools to help structure andgrow relationships:

Template Alumni-Student Mentorship Agreement

Mentorship Partnership Process Guide Tip Sheets for Students and Alumni

Year-end feedback and annual review


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The formal Mentorship Program: disclaimers

We cannot guarantee a match! But we try our best

Expectations and responsibilities are established atthe outset

Mentorship is not a job placement service

Students need clear expectations about what SPPG

Alumni mentors have to offer

Sometimes mentoring partnerships just dont work


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Questions? More Information?

For more information, or for access to otherMentorship Program resources and materials,

please visit the SPPG Alumni Network website at:http://policyforward.wordpress.com/mentorship/

Questions? E-mail [email protected].
http://policyforward.wordpress.com/mentorship/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://policyforward.wordpress.com/mentorship/

Documents

The Alumni Mentorship Initiative - Presentation (Aug 13 2012)