The Telfer School of Management offers many services to help first-year students navigate their university journey. One of them, the Telfer Peer Mentoring Program, is designed to support students in adjusting to new academic expectations by building confidence in their abilities. A first-year student is matched with an upper-year student to help them transition from high school to university. Mentors help with the transition by providing guidance and sharing resources. 

Mentors engage with students with one-on-one mentoring sessions and tailored workshops that address common challenges first-years face, fostering a feeling of preparedness. Furthermore, mentorship assists in building meaningful connections. Many students feel overwhelmed, and unsure of how to navigate their new environment.

Mentorship is a two-way street. Both mentors and mentees grow through the experience. Many mentors have shared how this role has transformed their perspectives, making them better communicators, problem-solvers, and leaders. Here are a few insights from mentors on how they’ve been influenced by mentorship and how they’ve influenced others: 

“Being a mentor has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both for me and the students I've worked with. It’s allowed me to help first-year students navigate the transition from high school to post-secondary, offering guidance and support from a first-hand perspective. At the same time, mentoring has opened up a world of opportunities for me. Through my involvement with the faculty, I’ve connected with a network of mentors, including being invited to join the school council and participate in the Executive Mentor Program, where I had the chance to collaborate and seek guidance from experienced uOttawa alumni. These experiences have enriched my time at Telfer and have really shown me the importance of mentorship at all angles.” - Sydney Thompson

“The biggest influence being a mentor has had on me has definitely been the way I think about life and my future. When you're put in a position where you need to give advice and calm others, it grounds yourself and makes you reflect on your own habits and experiences, which has definitely helped me grow professionally and personally. Regarding the students, it's just always nice to talk to another student and hear validation that their stressful or more complicated situations in their mind are common and relatable. It's not easy getting through your day when your brain is stressed out, so being able to ground each other during an appointment is really rewarding.” - Cathy Tran

“Being a mentor helped me learn new things through my interactions with students. As a mentor, I realized that it’s a mutual learning experience. Both the mentor and the mentee grow together. As we say, 'You can find in the river what you do not find in the sea.' It’s very rewarding to see the students happy when I talk to them, whether through simple conversations filled with empathy or by providing them with the exact resources they need.” - Oumaima Hamzaoui

“For me personally, being a mentor has taught me so much. I have learned about the school (the programs and resources we offer) and about what struggles students face. Throughout my interactions, I have learned how to take my own experiences and adapt them to the needs of the students. I have also learned how to identify when a student just needs someone to talk to, rather than be given advice. And finally, with the training and resources we have access to, I am able to problem-solve with the student to find them the best solution when they are faced with a problem I have never personally dealt with.

For the students, I have witnessed so much growth. I have had students who were very quiet and nervous about university, who have applied the advice we talked about, and are now active members of the Telfer community. Along with this, I have seen students overcome and persevere when times got tough. After the first semester, many students were discouraged, but after going over tools and strategies that they could use, I have now seen them thriving with newfound confidence.” - Zahraa Hossenbaccus

To become a Telfer mentor the following aspects are important to integrate into your application: 

• Academic excellence: Maintaining good grades is crucial since mentees often seek advice on study strategies and course selection.
• Involvement in student life: Active participation in student clubs, case competitions, or volunteer initiatives is encouraged. Being involved in student life is a big part of being a mentor. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills: The ability to listen, empathize, and provide constructive guidance is essential to being an effective mentor.
• Multilingualism is an asset: Many first-year students come from diverse backgrounds, and being able to communicate in multiple languages can be incredibly beneficial.

Stay Updated! 

For any incoming first-year students, mentors will have designated office hours where one can receive advice, and they are also available via email for any questions or concerns. For upper-year students interested in applying to become a mentor the experience may help develop leadership and communication skills, as well as guiding first-year students on their new chapter of life.  

For additional information on the Peer Mentoring Program, feel free to contact mentor@telfer.uOttawa.ca. 

Students can book mentoring sessions online through our booking portal. For updates on our events, follow us on Instagram: @telfer_mentor.