You don't need to have a particular expertise to be a good mentor. You just need to be open to sharing your experience and wisdom to help recent immigrants with local knowledge and culture understanding. This can help mentees increase their employability, cultural competency, and networks in the Canadian workplace.
Mentoring enhances leadership skills and your own professional network. Mentoring newcomers to Canada develops your intercultural skills and helps deepens your global perspective.
Our mentees are new or recent immigrants who have the language, knowledge, and experience to succeed in the Canadian workplace and are seeking support in adapting and achieving their career goals.
Commitment will vary from program to program, but they will set expectations from the start. For example, mentees and mentors might meet for 6 hrs/month (1.5 hrs/week) for 4 to 6 months.
Face-to-face meetings at a public facility or place of business are recommended, but sometimes online or phone meetings may suffice. More contact is recommended initially with less frequent contact as the needs of the mentee change closer to the end of the mentorship program.
Programs will have criteria to carefully match mentees and mentors. This could be based on shared educational background, similar work experience, common career goals, or other critera.
This website will provide foundational information and tools to equip you to be a mentor. Programs may also include orientations, workshops, and print and other online materials.