At the Partners in Leadership closing event on February 23, keynote speaker and UTSC grad (BA 1997) Roy Ratnavel spoke about the importance of career mentors. Ratanavel says he still leans on his own mentor, whom he met 32 years ago. Back then, he was a young newcomer to Canada working in a mail room.
Now executive vice president at CI Financial and head of distribution at CI Global Asset Management, Ratnavel has come a long way in his career, and he can credit the guidance and generosity of the mentoring relationship for helping him find this path.
It’s exactly the kind of important bond that the students in today’s PIL program had been looking for – and received.
During the event, Masters of Environmental Science student Sonia Nakoneczny thanked her own mentor, Cindy Chao (UTSC BSc 2009, MEnvSci 2010), who, even though at home with a new baby, had been incredibly generous with her time.
“Your willingness to give back is inspiring. It reminds us to pay it forward. We truly could not do it without you,” Nakoneczny addressed the mentors at the event.
The program launched in 2008, starting with just 13 mentors and 13 mentees in their final year of study at UTSC. Mentees gain invaluable career insights, as well as practical advice on everything from how to develop a great CV to how to nail an interview.
Since its inception the program has “grown from strength to strength,” said Celeste Richards, director of development at UTSC, and has become a touchstone program for both mentors and mentees. That growth is evident; even despite the pandemic, a record 117 mentors and 132 student mentees signed up for this year’s program.
And this year, that advice seemed more pertinent than ever, says UTSC assistant dean of student success Varsha Patel.
“We know that the employment market will be challenging for the next few years,” said Patel, reminding mentees that while the global health crisis continues, students need to be “patient, open and flexible.”
Flexibility was on full display as mentees and mentors met virtually rather than in person. While some expressed regret that they had not been able to meet in person, participants also saw opportunities in this year’s virtual operations.
“My mentor is in Ottawa,” said Jennifer Thompson, a master’s student in Environmental Science. “For people who are located outside the GTA, there has been more of an opportunity to participate. It makes the program more accessible,” she said.
But while the pandemic continues to alter the job market, some truths remain constant. For one, “Nothing is more important to a company than its people,” said Patel.
For another, said mentor Ann Clarke (UTSC BA 1984), “You’re in control of your career. You have to be strategic about your career path.”
The advice wasn’t lost on this year’s mentees. Naconeczny said she will take many lessons from the program with her in the years to come, but especially: “be bold, be open minded. Take chances and pay it forward.”
Image: Attendees of the Partners in Leadership event attend a breakout session.