How does the Program
Work?
Mentor Database
- Potential
mentors complete a Mentor Profile with details about the kind of
work they do, type of organization, prior academic and work history and
information about diversity and career. The information is added to our
mentor database. You can find the on-line mentor
profile form at www.alumni.utoronto.ca/mentorprofile
Matching
Process
- Interested law students complete a Mentee Profile Survey in September and are
matched with mentors based on their indicated preferences. While every
effort will be made to match according to a mentee's first preference,
this may not always be possible.
- The mentorship
program is individually tailored to student interests. Mentors from both traditional and
non-traditional law careers are available, including aboriginal law,
international law, human rights, corporate counsel, public interest,
labour relations, mediation and many other areas. Mentees also have the
option of being matched based on personal characteristics such as ethnic,
religious or cultural background, sexual orientation and gender.
- Mentors will be
contacted by the alumni office to advise that they have been matched with
a mentee and details will be provided at that time.
Initial
Meeting
- Mentors will be
contacted by the mentee they have been matched with to arrange for a
meeting. Ideally, the initial meeting should be held by the end of October.
Mentees should notify the Alumni Office once the initial meeting has taken
place. If there is any difficulty setting up an initial meeting, the
Alumni Office should be contacted immediately.
- At the end of
the first meeting, mentors and mentees should schedule their next meeting.
We recommend that mentors and mentees meet at least once per academic
term.
What are the Requirements
for Mentors?
- Meet with mentee
at least once per academic term, with the first meeting occurring no later
than Mid-November. Meetings should occur in person if at all
possible.
- Share
experiences and insights about what it is like to be a law professional or
a professional in your career.
- Offer guidance
on how to prepare for and succeed in the professional world and make rewarding
career choices.
What are the Suggested
Mentoring Activities?
- Informal meeting
over coffee or lunch
- Tour of office
and introduction to other lawyers/articling students
- Discussion of an
area of research or case that you are working on
What are the Requirements
for Mentees?
- Be proactive in
cultivating the mentor relationship.
- Treat the mentor
relationship in a professional manner. Contact the mentor to arrange for a
first meeting and notify the Alumni Affairs Office (via corey.besso@utoronto.ca) once the first
meeting has taken place.
- Arrive on time
for mentoring meeting and give advance notice (at least 3 days, if
possible) of cancellations.
- Think about
questions and or issues to discuss in advance of the meeting.
- Be willing to
participate in an informal discussion about law school and the legal
profession
- Provide some
background about education, interests, hobbies, and work experiences.
- Send a thank you
note or follow-up with a phone call after initial meeting.