Try Mentoring

Simone Kielley and Rob Shea in Memorial's Centre for Career Development, which will be completely redesigned with a new layout, furnishings and equipment for fall 2002.

As graduation 2002 approached, Stephanie Mandville knew she had to do something to stop the endless sound track that kept repeating in her head. "Did I select the right degree program for my career? Will I find a job related to my chosen field? Will I have to move outside the province to get a job? Should I try to get my master's?" That's when Stephanie turned to the Department of Career Development and Experiential Learning. There she was introduced to Simone Kielley (B.Comm.'99) "Through their new tri-mentoring program they put me in contact with a great mentor," says Stephanie. "She helped me to feel comfortable with my choices. "

Simone Kielley is one of the 50 skilled and committed Memorial University alumni who signed on to participate in this new program. Simone can remember being in Stephanie's shoes, and losing sleep as she asked herself similar questions before she graduated. " I hope that I can share my experiences and help anyone who may be following on a similar career path. While I don't expect to have the answers, I can offer support and a positive outlook on what opportunities exist," she says.

It is the commitment and openness of people like Stephanie and Simone that makes the tri-level mentoring process so successful. According to Rob Shea, director of Career Development and Experiential Learning, the program is in place to help students make informed life-path decisions as they near graduation. This new program incorporates high school students, senior Memorial students and Memorial alumni in a three-way model of mentoring to provide access to experienced people with similar interests who have faced and conquered the same dilemmas high school students (primarily grade 12) are mentored by senior Memorial students in their area of study at university.

They have made some excellent matches between students and alumni but there is always a need for more alumni to take a mentorship role-or take advantage of the service to make contact with a mentor. Says Rob, "This program is evolving as we go. It demonstrates our dedication to career exploration and development, but more importantly it helps students to make contact with valuable connections in their chosen fields. It also gives alumni an opportunity to give some thing back in a very real and gratifying way through meaningful involvement at a very important phase of another person's life."

Simone agrees. "The benefits from mentoring really do go both ways. By talking with the students and gaining their confidence I get a fresh perspective on my career. I also have the opportunity to share my life experiences and help someone else examine decisions that I've already made."