BC Professional Development Mentorship Program
Equipping students of today to become the leaders of tomorrow
2022 EDITION
Welcome
Welcome to the 2022-23 BC Professional Development Mentorship Program!
The purpose of the Program is to complement Schulich’s formal curriculum and to accelerate the personal and professional growth of participants. It is open to students enrolled in the MREI and to 2nd year MBA students specializing in real estate and infrastructure.
The Program will match more than 50 students pursuing graduate studies in Real Estate and Infrastructure with an equal number of Schulich alumni mentors working in various real estate and infrastructure businesses, including investment, development, asset management, financing, brokerage and consulting.
The Program requires students to make a significant commitment. They will attend a series of required professional development sessions, a minimum of three sessions with their assigned mentors, and specialized networking events. The program concludes with the Magic Moments Celebration, a graduation event and a certification of completion for the mentors and mentees in April.
IMPORTANT DATES
Upcoming Events
PDMP Launch Event
October 7, 2022 | 12:00 pm
McEwen Building, Room G101
Please join us on October 7th at the Launch event to learn all about the Professional Development Mentorship Program, We will have an exciting agenda where you will meet the program designers, learn helpful information and tips from an alumni panel of past Mentorship Program participants as well as gain insightful knowledge from the PDMP mentorship committee. The Launch event is where students will be introduced to the program, learn about the eligibility requirements and time commitments and be given the opportunity to ask questions.
Career Foundations/Meaningful Reflections
October 21, 2022
Join Sean Mullin and Joe Ogilvie as they set the groundwork for an exciting year of growth. Sean will discuss some of the most important principles of being a successful professional in the industry, helping mentees to develop a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset. Learn how to thrive in challenging settings and how to perceive failure as a springboard for ultimate career success. Sean will also discuss the nuances of in-person and digital communication, classroom conduct, relationship building, and how to present oneself in professional settings.
Joe Ogilvie will later join in to discuss the importance of creating meaningful reflections and what it means to write one. This will become an important skill for mentees to carry throughout this program and beyond!
In this module, mentees will also be prompted to complete the PrinciplesYou Psychometric Evaluation.
Self-Assessment Tool: Awareness Exercise – PrinciplesYou Psychometric
Evaluation Activity Link: https://principlesyou.com
i. What did you learn about yourself from your top three archetypes in the assessment?
ii. What strategies will you use to amplify your natural strengths?
iii. What strategies will you use to limit the impact of your natural weaknesses?
Networking 101
November 4, 2022
Room TBD
The goal of being a successful networker not only aids in finding a job, but more so, it helps one grow as an individual and establish meaningful relationships throughout one’s career. Mentees will join Sean Mullin in an hour-long session where they will explore Networking “Do’s and Don’ts”, followed by a Q+A period. We want to remove the ‘Fear Factor” of networking and change the mindset to ‘connecting with people’. Every relationship is an opportunity to learn and grow. Keeping in mind that developing self-awareness is one of the key learning outcomes of this program, mentees will be challenged to become aware of their own networking strengths and weaknesses.
Internship Search Preparation
PDMP Module 3
January 20, 2023
McEwen Building, Room G101
On January 20th we are looking forward to the 3rd Module of the PDMP. We will be joined by panelists, Ann Welsh (Associate Director, International Relations, Schulich); Cathy Sardellitti (Recruitment Manager, Smart Centres); Jordan Bruder (Director, Development, Cadillac Fairview); and Ryan Ram (Real Estate Leadership & Talent Advisor, Matrix360 Inc.). Our panel discussion with revolve around the internship application process, professional etiquette, the international student experience, interview skills, contract negotiation, and what not to do throughout the internship and job application process. Following our panel discussion, students will join the panelists in specialized ‘Think Tanks’ where they will have the opportunity to dig deeper into those topics and ask questions that will help further inform their approach.
Career & Talent Showcase
March 10, 2023 | 12:00 – 2:00 pm
McEwen Building Atrium
Upon completion of the first three modules and meeting with their mentor at least twice, mentees will be able to participate in this exclusive, invitation-only event. At the Career & Talent Showcase, mentees will have the opportunity to go through a mock interview with an HR Recruiter or Hiring Manager from one of 12 participating industry partners. A support team from the Centre of Career Design will be on-site in the Coaches Corner to provide career and interview advice for the mentees prior to their interviews and to follow up post-interview. Mentees will be encouraged to think about how they can make a positive difference and what goals they would like to achieve as a professional.
The mentees will then have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive career mixer event with the industry partners, recruiters and alumni as they get ready to explore their career options. In order to be invited to this event, mentees must have completed all mentorship program requirements. Refreshments will be served.
Magic Moments
Mentee and Mentor Closing Event
April 2023 TBD
At the culmination of this program, the Magic Moments Celebration will be an opportunity for mentees, mentors and other mentorship participants to reflect on and celebrate their growth and commitment to the BC-SRPAA Professional Development Mentorship Program! Upon successful completion of the program, mentees will be awarded with a Certificate of Completion.
HEAR FROM ALUMNI
Testimonials
MENTEES
Mentorship Guidelines
There is a lot of work ahead! The transformation into an industry leader takes time, persistence, and most notably, a community that cares. This program is designed to complement this process and create a formalized approach to an informal process many of the mentors in this program likely experienced on THEIR journeys to industry leaders you see now.
You will be carefully matched with your mentor based on professional and personal fit following an application submission. Applications to be matched with a mentor will be mid-November. Matching will take place around the end of November.
This program is meant to be viewed as a partnership, and alignment drives the success of any partnership! Each mentor-mentee relationship will be built based on mutual trust, respect, commitment, and communication. Your mentors have made a commitment to YOUR success and it is important you respect the time they have committed to your development. Take time to prepare before your sessions. Reflect on your goals, and think about the challenges you face today and the challenges you hope to face tomorrow.
You may be assuming the goal of mentorship is to find a job. While finding a job may be your immediate concern, the best thing a mentor can do for you is to help you grow and develop as a person and as a professional. The connections made, alongside the conversations had throughout this program, will provide a foundation for you, and the future relationships you will need, to develop long-term success.
This is your opportunity, and we expect YOU to take ownership! You are to take full responsibility for the coordination of all meetings with your mentor, including initial contact. You are responsible for showing up, coming prepared, and being engaged.
Commitment
By enrolling in the mentorship program you are making a commitment to three (3) one-on-one mentoring sessions with your mentor from January 2023 to the end of April 2023, attendance at program events, and a written reflection upon the conclusion of the program. In addition to this, you are required to have reviewed your resume with the Career Development Centre (CDC) and have articulated your goals and interests.
Confidentiality and Contact
Your mentor’s contact information must be kept confidential. You are not to solicit or expect your mentor to give you an internship or a job.
Closure of Program
We hope every relationship continues beyond the confines of this program and mentorship closure does not preclude mentors and students from continuing your relationship informally. It simply removes any obligation on either party to do so.
Finally, never forget the importance of expressing gratitude! Make sure to thank your mentor for their effort, their advice, and the generosity of their time. Trust us, a ‘thank you’ goes a long way, and it is CRUCIAL to acknowledge the people who will help you along the way.
MENTEES
Tips for Success
01
Take Ownership of Scheduling & Showing Up
99% of life is showing up. Managing your schedule and prioritizing your time to enable you to ‘show up’ is critical to your success throughout the BC Professional Development Mentorship Program. The program will be full of learning opportunities, yet it is up to you to be present and engage with the material. You will also be responsible for establishing and coordinating the time and location for all mentorship sessions throughout the program. We suggest allowing one hour for each meeting, subject to your mentor’s approval.
02
Help Your Mentors and Leaders Help You
Throughout the program you should continuously be improving your resume so that you can share your CDC approved resume with your mentor.
03
Do Your Research
To optimize your time with leaders, panelists, and mentors, ensure to research their backgrounds and areas of expertise. This will enable you to make the most out of your sessions.
04
Be Prepared
Prepare some open‐ended questions that will guide the discussions, without restricting your mentor’s feedback. You should start your first session with an idea of what you hope to get out of these mentorship sessions and communicate those goals to your mentor.
05
Avoid the Sales Pitch
Don’t view the sessions as sales presentations or job interviews. Be yourself, be present, and most importantly – be open to growth!
06
Be Prompt, Professional, and Express Enthusiasm
Set the stage for a great experience by conveying your enthusiasm throughout all of the workshops and mentorship sessions. Once you have received your mentor match, take time to do your research and reach out to them by making a personal connection using the tone of your email.
07
Be Fully Present
This tip is so important we needed to include it twice. Sharing requires excellent listening skills and your full attention. Throughout the workshops and mentorship sessions, do your best to set aside daily pressures so that you can get the most from your experience. Focus on the present.
08
Find the Connection
Make it a goal to establish a personal connection with the leaders, panelists, and mentors. Remember that most of these individuals have volunteered their time to help you achieve your goals. Whether it is ambition, sports, design, or industry news, there are many avenues to finding connection. BONUS TIP: This happens when a conversation is shared equally and one listens with an open mind. Make sure you aren’t doing all the talking!
09
Take time to Reflect
At the end of a workshop or mentorship meeting take time to summarize insights and establish any goals or personal deliverables for future sessions. This will help guide your learning and provide a clear direction for your growth.
10
The Importance of Good Questions
The questions you ask will shape the conversation. Good questions lead to valuable insights that will help you develop and grow. At the same time, conversations should not be interviews. Use thoughtful questions as a tool to break the ice, keep the momentum of the conversation going, and to learn from others!
How did you get where you are today and was there a critical moment or event that was instrumental to your progression?
What do you like most about your career?
Share one of the greatest successes during your career. Was there a specific action or event that led you to this success?
Share a failure you experienced and what you took away from that experience.
I am looking to accomplish ___________ with my career. Can you provide some advice or recommendations on how I should proceed?
What do you see as some of the emerging trends in the industry?
How would you recommend I get into _________ (insert a specific specialization/role/company/sector etc.)?
What is something that you know now that you wish you knew back when you were starting your career?
MEET US
Mentorship Committee
Andrea Jacyk (MREI ’18)
Archetype: Orchestrator
Project Manager
Prombank Group of Companies
Quote: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
Miranda Gobran (MREI ‘19)
Archetype: Inspirer
Mortgage Agent
The Lending Suite
Quote: “This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” – Alan Watts
Joe Ogilvie
Archetype: Shaper
Head of Innovation and Partnerships,
Brookfield Centre Urban Lab
Quote: “Focus on WHAT you’re doing, not HOW you’re doing” – Mike Rowe, Host of Dirty Jobs
Sean Mullin
Archetype: Inspirer
Public Speaker
Professional Coach
Quote: “People like to be around authentic positivity. Be yourself, invest in others, and have a little fun along the way.”
Bryna Abtan
Archetype: Peacekeeper
Associate Director
Brookfield Centre
Quote: “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Melody Beattie
Andre Kuzmicki
Archetype: Inventor
Executive-in Residence
Brookfield Centre
Quote: “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” – Albert Einstein
Please contact Bryna Abtan at babtan@schulich.yorku.ca if you have any inquiries.
