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