About The Program
The Becoming YU Skills Kickstart Mentorship program (formerly Student Success Mentorship program) was launched in September 2020, and it gives students outside of Work/Study positions the opportunity to experience the Becoming YU program as either a mentee or a peer mentor. Becoming YU provides students with a framework to set meaningful goals, identify the skills they want to develop to achieve those goals and provide them with tools to reflect on and track their progress. Through Becoming YU students will learn to articulate their skills and accomplishments with confidence, both in person and in their resumes and cover letters.
Each student (mentee) in the program will be assigned a peer mentor who will guide them through the program in a series of check-ins.
"I was not sure what to expect with the Becoming YU Student Success Mentorship program, and I was pleasantly surprised by how helpful and beneficial it has been. The program encouraged me to engage in self-reflection activities to identify areas of improvement in competencies that furthered both my personal and professional skills-sets. My mentor helped guide me in becoming more proactive in taking the steps towards accomplishing my goals and improving my capabilities. My mentor was encouraging, patient, compassionate and very knowledgeable, guiding me and keeping me productive and on the right track, towards success. I had a wonderful experience with Becoming YU and hope to one day take the role of a mentor to help guide fellow students." - Samantha Janae
Program Breakdown Fall/Winter 2024-25
Launch Session – October
- Purpose: Introduction to the Program & meet Peer Mentor
- Time: One hour
- Date: October 11, 2024
During the Launch Session, you will meet your peer mentors, learn about the program and start thinking about your goals or the upcoming academic year!
First Checkpoint (Individual) – October
- Purpose: Individual Checkpoint
- Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Date Range: October 14th – November 1st
Within the first two weeks of joining the program, mentees will meet with their peer mentors. During this session, mentees set clear and ambitious goals for the year; aligning them with their position/role, leadership aspirations, academic pursuits and long-term career objectives. A crucial aspect of this process involves identifying and prioritizing transferable skills that will support their journey towards these goals. Subsequently, skill-building experiences and projects are collaboratively chosen, laying the foundation for mentees to develop and apply their chosen skills effectively.
Second Checkpoint (Group) – November/December
- Purpose: Group Checkpoint & Progress Measurement
- Time: 45-50 minutes
- Date Range: November 11th - December 13th
The second checkpoint brings all mentees together in a group setting, fostering peer-to-peer support and learning. Here, mentees receive valuable feedback from their mentors and engage in constructive discussions on meaningful ways to progress toward their individual goals. The group setting enhances networking skills, allowing mentees to build valuable professional connections while benefitting from the insights and experiences of their peers.
Third Checkpoint (Individual) – January
- Purpose: Individual Checkpoint & Progress Measurement
- Time: 30 minutes
- Date Range: January 6th - 31st
In this one-on-one meeting with their peer mentor, mentees assess their accomplishments and measure their progression towards their set goals. They reflect on their personal growth and address any challenges encountered along the way, receiving valuable guidance and support from their mentor to overcome obstacles.
Fourth Checkpoint (Group) – February/March
- Purpose: Group Checkpoint & Progress Measurement
- Time: 45-50 minutes
- Date Range: February 17th - March 14th
During the fourth checkpoint, mentees gather as a group once again to share their progress towards their individual goals. Engaging in constructive discussions with their peers, mentees exchange insights into challenges, accomplishments, and strategies for continued success.
Fifth Checkpoint (Individual) – March/April
- Purpose: Individual Checkpoint & Progress Measurement
- Time: 30 minutes
- Date Range: March 24th - April 18th
The final individual checkpoint is a reflective session where mentees meet with their peer mentors to recap their journey throughout the program. They review their goal progression, celebrate achievements, and discuss the valuable skills gained. This meeting serves as a pivotal moment to assess the impact of the program on their personal and professional development.
All successful participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program, acknowledging their dedication to growth and skill development.
Sign up HERE by October 4th, 2024.
Becoming YU Skills Kickstart Peer Mentors
- Must have completed the Becoming YU program in the past
- Believe in the benefits gained by participating in the Becoming YU program
- Learn leadership skills and employability skills as well as improve and develop new skills
- Help enhance coaching and advising skills for future opportunities
- Practice speaking and communication skills
- Gain valuable volunteer work experiences
Becoming YU Skills Kickstart Mentees
The ‘Skills Kickstart’ program gives students not currently in work-study positions the opportunity to complete the Becoming YU program. Becoming YU provides students with a framework to set meaningful goals, identify the skills they want to develop to achieve those goals and provide them with tools to reflect on and track their progress. Through Becoming YU students will recognize the value of their experiences, have greater clarity about their leadership and career goals, and articulate their skills and accomplishments with confidence! You will be assigned a Becoming YU Peer Mentor for the year–otherwise known as your student-coach, who will help facilitate your development and progress towards achieving your desired goals and objectives.
What do I gain from this Program?
You gain....
- Certificate/Badge upon completion
- A better understanding of who you are, and all that you’ve gained from this “experience”.
- An understanding of how to make meaning of your experiences and skills development.
- The ability to articulate and provide examples of your skills and accomplishments.
How to qualify for the Becoming YU Skills Kickstart Program?
- Must not be a current Work/Study student.
- Must have an experience you wish to document, such as a part-time job, volunteer/student leadership role, be a member of a club/team. It does not matter whether they are on or off campus. If you do not have any of these, you may choose to document your role as a student.
If you're interested in applying to be a mentee in the program, applications will open in September.
Have questions? Need more guidance?
Email us at becomeyu@yorku.ca any time!