Mentoring stories
Mentor Hannes Blum with then BCom student Tina Chang
Making it work
08-07-2013
Life lasting effects
05-28-2013
I suspect I will continue to feel the effects of the mentorship program throughout the rest of my life. I enjoy hearing and learning from others' stories, and I value an external perspective on my thoughts. The great thing about the program though is that it's flexible. I prefer a low-key setting, and I suspect Robin (the program coordinator) picked up on that in our first conversation and accounted for it when suggesting possible mentors. This resulted in mentor matches that felt very comfortable for me, while still gently challenging some of my longstanding assumptions and giving me exposure to working professionals in the areas of strategy and financial planning. This sort of "optional" program is not something I usually participate in, but I will never regret getting involved with the mentor program, and I can only imagine how it might positively affect my life in the future. - Sam McCracken, BCom 2013
Hey, ask how your mentor is doing!
I completed my biz school education several decades back, when mentoring programs were not the norm. I know that such a program, if offered then, would have been very valuable in setting me up to deal with the real world of business. So the program at UVic has my support and admiration, which is why I participate with enthusiasm.
I think that one of the benefits of this program to students is to have the chance to practice business-social skills that will be helpful “out there”. Building rapport with your bosses, co-workers, suppliers and customers is a very soft skill that has very concrete outcomes. Learning how to do this is not usually on the core curriculum, so using your mentor as a testing ground for this is a good idea.
One of the ways student-mentees can add to their own skill set is to practice some of the common courtesies we all hope are part of everyday business life. Simple things like asking how your mentor is doing, what he is up to, whether you can buy him or her a cup of coffee once in a while, and how much time is available for discussion might be on your list. Showing a genuine interest in your mentor takes very little time and effort, and can make the whole meeting flow better - which can only benefit you. And please, a thank you - easy and cheap! - From a current GSB Mentor
Mentor - program with benefits!
05-14-2013
In my opinion the Mentor Program is up there with going on exchange and attending networking sessions in terms of its potential post-graduation benefits; it is an essential component of a modern education, which includes much more than coursework. Over the course of my time in the BCom program I had two mentors - the first at acceptance to the program and the second during my job search before graduation. I was actually quite happy to have two mentors, as each had a different career path and was able to provide specific advice and insights from their own experiences. My intention was to enter the field of finance, and my mentors with CFP and CFA designations respectively covered the "sell-side" and "buy-side" very well. While I was very interested in asking my mentors questions, they were interested in my background as well and in helping me narrow down my future plans. For their time and efforts, both mentors suggested that I "pay it forward" in the future; I am looking forward to being a mentor after gaining some experience of my own. - Tim Boehm, BCom 2013
First meeting!
03-12-2013
Mutual passion for non-profits
05-07-2013
I really enjoy my meetings with my mentor Jamie Hubick and the opportunity to speak about our mutual passion about the non-profit sector. Our relationship has allowed me to be exposed to the various aspects of this industry and gain a better, more complete understanding of my future career goals and ambitions. Aside from the career aspect, Jamie has been a great resource as someone to just sit and talk with as he is such a great listener. His experiences and expertise provides for an excellent viewpoint and opinion, helping me to further understand the important aspects of my life and giving me a chance to learn my own strengths and weaknesses. Anthea Chang BCom
Changed my life
01-08-2013
My relationship with my mentor has changed my life (as cliche as that sounds). She has a been a source of friendship and wisdom, and of laughter. I couldn't be happier with this experience. - recent student feedback
A committed mentor
A great program. My mentor really cared about my life and the decisions I was making. Helped me through hard times. - from 2012 student survey
Start with why
When MBA student Helen He (2005) wanted to develop her concepts for staring an IT service company in China, Victoria software entrepreneur Eric Jordan was the logical mentor to match. Jordan is the co-founder and past CEO and president of software success story PureEdge Solutions Inc., a company that, at that time, had 70 employees and five million end users for their products. Jordan's business experience in the computing world immediately provided He with insights into her own business ambitions.
"Helen was developing a business plan for a hypothetical software company that she was considering starting in China," said Jordan. "She was basically designing a plan for a company with 100 employees, and I was able to tell her that it was probably more appropriate for a company with five employees. According to He, who holds a BSc in computer science for Xidian University in Hi'an, China, Jordan has also helped her clarify her business values.
"I had these ideas to develop a business in IT services, but he made me ask myself why I was doing it," she said. "He asked me, are you doing this because you love it? Or are you doing this simply because you see it as a business opportunity? If you love this business, you will success, but if you are doing it simply because you see it as an opportunity, you won't be as successful. Business is about more than just profit. Through your business, you can realize your own value and supply valuable things to society."
Inspired by mentor's success
My mentor was a very vibrant and exciting woman who was experiencing great success in her career. I was inspired by her experiences, and she was a major player in helping me decide what career I would enter. In fact after I graduated I ended up in the same business. Anne Klein, BCom 2009
Help starting a business in Canada
BCom student Yovita Anggajaya came to UVic as an international student from Suabaya, Indonesia, following three siblings who studied business at UVic before her. She entered her mentoring relationship with an interest in learning what it would take to start and manage a business in Canada. “I wanted to talk with someone who could help me with starting a business in Canada, teaching me about the paperwork and the regulations involved" says Anggajaya.
Enter Nola Grant, at the time, the director and head of the Scotia Private Client Group in Victoria. A business graduate from the University of Calgary, Grant also holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and she offered the experience of managing a large staff while overseeing a work in investment management, insurance and private banking.
“Yovita has been looking at some business entrepreneurial opportunity, so she’s looking at how to analyze the market and at the process for bringing a business to Canada and making it work,” says Grant. “One of the things we talked about is being an international student and the cultural differences that affect business.”
“We basically discussed how to set up a business in Canada and how that would be different from Indonesia,” says Anggajaya. “We talked about cultural differences in general and business cultural in particular. There are big differences in employer-employee relationships in Canada, and I will be an employer not an employee. I will need to work with unions – that will be different. There also a lot more paperwork setting up in Canada, and Nola is helping me understand that process.
Mentor offers the right experience
Maria Dominelli has cut a course as a cross-cultural specialist in the Gustavson School of Business Mentor Program. She has mentored students from all over the world, including Christina Mora, at the time, an MBA student from Ecuador.
“Many of my students have been foreign students, mostly from Asia, China and Hong Kong, said Dominelli. “It’s very daunting to come to a new country and adjust to a new culture as well as to study an MBA in a foreign language.”
Daunting, but exactly the experience Mora sought when she came to UVic. “I wanted to create options,” says Mora. “I had been to the US, and I wanted to look for something different, so I looked in Europe and Canada. I liked UVic for the international focus and the international IME – we’re going to be doing a consulting project in Korea and China for 10 days and I think that’s amazing. To help Mora prepare for her trip to Asia, Dominelli invited her along to one of her meetings with the Victoria Chinese Commerce Association. “By attending these kinds of meetings Christina was able to learn a little about how the Chinese adapt to Canadian culture, how they manage business, and how culture and business crossover – again it broadens her experience and networks,” says Dominelli.
“We also have a really nice friendship,” says Mora. “It’s great for me to get involved with a business person who is a woman like myself, who is so active in the community."
CEO enjoys mentoring
I really enjoy being a mentor. It is very refreshing and interesting to get new perspective and insights through the interaction and I think it can be very helpful for the mentee to clarify and validate their objectives and to get suggestions and support on steps that might help them achieve their career goals. Mentor - Hannes Blum, President and CEO, AbeBooks
Mentor gives back/grows by mentoring
One of the ways I continue to learn and grow in my career is through reaching out to people who have been successful doing things that interest me. In a sense, I seek mentors on an ongoing basis and I believe that whatever success I have been fortunate enough to achieve, has been largely due to the people that have generously given me their time and energy. I believe that working with students as a mentor is a small way for me to do the same for students. I enjoy sharing ideas, answering questions and providing a little guidance to the students that I have spent time with. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Gustavson School of Business mentor program and appreciate that UVic puts a lot of energy into supporting both students and mentors to build successful relationships. It's a wonderful way to connect people and being able to participate as a mentor is very rewarding. Mentor - Mary-Lynn Bellamy-Willms, Partner and CEO, Suburbia Advertising
The light goes on
With every mentee, there are times when the light goes on, something connects for the mentee and one sees them take another step forward. That is very satisfying and well worth the effort. Mentor - Dru Narwani, chairman, Nova Pole International
Most beneficial decision made
I’m so glad I decided to participate in the mentorship program. Easily one of the most beneficial decisions I’ve made so far in university. My Mentor has really helped me put some of my career goals into perspective, and has helped me out tremendously in making contacts across the entire world because of his extensive network of business colleagues. Erin Stead BCom 2012
I struck gold
This is easily one of the most valuable resources the business program has to offer. I felt like I 'struck gold' by getting involved. While other students were worried about studying for an exam three weeks away, I was getting my hands dirty in the real world and building the foundation for employment after graduation. Every business student should get a mentor. I got direct communication with a business leader who wanted to help me, connections, hands-on experience, and a job. What more could you ask for! David Tapp BCom 2010
