Become a Mentee

The YWCA High School Mentorship program is open to young women in Grades 11 and 12 from partner schools in the Lower Mainland.

• You are matched with a mentor based on your career interests, goals, common hobbies and other personal interests

• Once a month from October to end of May the following year, you’ll meet with your mentor to explore career options, make education/training plans, improve your leadership skills, gain new life experience and more.

A mentor is a professional woman who shares her life experience. She has already 'been there and done that'. She has completed her education ambitions, travelled down her chosen career path and as a result can now help you to explore your own personal, academic and career goals.

Is mentorship right for me?

Who doesn’t want to make new friends and learn new things? However, you need to invest time and effort to make Mentorship work for you. Mentees who have benefited the most:

• Know what they want to get out of the relationship and are able to express their needs to their mentors
• Are able to take initiatives - not afraid to ask questions, make suggestions, express opinions
• Are committed and motivated-will not give up just because of small set backs
• Make the program a priority
• Are flexible and open.

Most of our mentors live and work in Vancouver. Mentees are expected to arrange their own transportation to meet their mentors.

What are my responsibilities?

• Contacting your mentor to schedule monthly meetings
• Maintaining regular and frequent contact with your mentor via phone calls or e-mails
• Submitting monthly journals of your experience.

What kind of things do we do together?

Depending on the goal of your match, you and your mentor may:

• Have career chats
• Visit workplace / arrange for job shadowing
• Tour college/university
• Work on putting together resume, college or scholarship applications
• Attend workshops
• Engage in social or recreational activities.

How do I apply?

1. Contact the program by October 15, 2008
2. Submit the application package (application form, parental consent and resume)
3. You will be Interviewed by the program
4. Attend Pre-Match Mentee Training

Only candidates who demonstrate a genuine interest in learning from a mentor, and are ready to make this major year-long commitment, will be considered.

To obtain an application form or learn more about becoming a mentee, contact your career counselling office.

For more information, contact