The Alumni Mentorship Initiative - Presentation (Aug 21 2012)

7/31/2019 The Alumni Mentorship Initiative - Presentation (Aug 21 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 ofSchool of Public Policy and Governances(SPPG) graduating classes (now ~150 members), with allgraduates welcome to join the leadership group

Provides a variety of professional, academic and socialopportunities for alumni, allowing members to participate inthe 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 improve the policydiscussion in Ontario and Canada, and

II. To leverage the skills, knowledge and resources of the alumnicollective to offer support to the School of Public Policy, students,staff and faculty.


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The Mentoring Initiative

The Alumni Network of the School of Public Policy and Governance(SPPG) is offering a mentorship initiative with two elements:

an onlineAlumni Libraryfor easy one-time connections,

a formalMentorship Program that matches alumni and currentstudents over an eight-month period.

The objectives:

To invite peer guidance from young policy professionals to currentlyenrolled students as they plan their careers and set professional 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 offer an opportunity for alumni to remain connected withstudents and the broader SPPG community.


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The Benefits of Mentorship? For Students

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 a low-commitment online resource for students modeled onthe Toronto Public Library's Human Library

Provides a searchable roster of over 50 SPPG alumni theycan connect with to seek insights and advice to supporttheir 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 this field?) or

ask for advice (e.g. how should I prepare for an interview?)
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 Mentorship Program?

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 help preparefor the mentoring relationship, structure it and establishobjectives and expectations, and grow and progress in thepartnership

The Program has been developed by the Alumni Network,in consultation with the SPPG Student Union and theSPPG Administration over the past year


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The formal Mentorship Program: disclaimers

We cannot guarantee a match! But we try our best

Expectations and responsibilities are established at theoutset

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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The formal Mentorship Program: timelines

Early Sept 2012 - ApplicationProcess

Mid 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 early September To match students and alumni based on learning objectives,

areas of expertise and industries of interest, and logisticalconsiderations

Orientation and welcome event in late September

For introductions, program overview, and guidance on how tobuild 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 in touchinformally


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The formal Mentorship Program: tools and

supports

Orientation and welcome session in September

Periodic check-ins by Alumni Network ProgramAdministrators

Supports and tools to help structure and growrelationships: TemplateAlumni-Student Mentorship Agreement

Mentorship Partnership Process Guide

Tip Sheets for Students and Alumni

Year-end feedback and annual review


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Linkages with Other SPPG Programming

SPPGAdministration

SPPGSUCompassProgram

AlumniMentorshipInitiative

Co-ordinate summerinternships, and provide career

services and professional

development programming

ProfessionalDevelopmentand CareerSupports

2ndyear students act as

guides, helping 1st year

students navigate the

MPP program as they

arrive at SPPG

Alumni share information,

knowledge, and skills

through to support students

as they prepare to leave

SPPG

Provide academic supports (e.g.stats camp, orientation) to help

with student integration and

ongoing learning needs

Academic andStudent Supports


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Questions? More Information?

For more information, or for access to other MentorshipProgram 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 21 2012)