Science mentoring program helps students jumpstart their careers
Cristobal Alarcon came to Canada from Chile when he was 13 years old. Since then, he completed his undergraduate degree at Ryerson and is currently applying to law school. This photo was taken while following COVID-19 guidelines on campus, including wearing a face covering (except at the time the photo was being taken) and practicing social distancing.
Last fall Jada Wright, a fifth-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry, was finishing up her co-op placement and thinking about how to transition back into her studies.
Wright learned about the Tri-Mentoring Program which offers peer-to-peer, career and group opportunities to students of all identities across all faculties. One aspect of the Career Mentoring Program is specifically for science students, a partnership that was brought together by Chancellor Janice Fukakusa and Faculty of Science Dean David Cramb.
Fukakusa told Ryerson Today it’s important to have a mentoring program in science to help students navigate the many career options available to them in the field. As the Faculty of Science grows, it is attracting more students who are looking for mentorship opportunities.
“In this mentorship program, students are exposed to industry-leading mentors in a broad range of sectors that will help them refine their professional skills and pursue their passions,” says Fukakusa, who is a corporate director with extensive banking and financial services experience and served as RBC’s chief administrative officer and chief financial officer for over three decades.
Although she was nervous at first, Wright found the conversation was flowing with her mentor Chancellor Janice Fukakusa.
This semester 30 students have been matched with mentors across government, health and science sectors. Wright was matched with Chancellor Fukakusa, who has been her mentor since last fall semester.
“I was lucky enough to have the chancellor as my mentor this year and last year,” said Wright, who is exploring career options in science. “During the pandemic, I haven’t been able to develop my communications skills as much as I would have liked but through my regular conversations with Chancellor Fukakusa I have been able to work on those skills. She has given me invaluable advice for how to prepare for presentations and public speaking in general.”
Cristobal Alarcon, who completed his bachelor’s of science degree in biology in 2019, is another student in the mentorship program. His mentor Wendy Muller, hospitality and tourism management ’78, has been coaching him as he applies for law school.
When he first graduated, Alarcon took the LSATs but was discouraged after he got a low score. With the help of his mentor, he was motivated to study for the test again and increased his score enough to start applying for law schools at universities across Ontario. He has finished sending out his applications and hopes to start law school at Ryerson next year
The Career Mentoring Program, a major aspect of the Tri-Mentoring Program, is designed to support students as they pursue their careers by providing them with professional guidance and industry-relevant networking. Maricruz Rodriguez Rendon, mentoring facilitator for the Tri-Mentoring Program, says the program is a great opportunity for students to explore the many different career paths that are possible with a science degree.
As they prepare to enter the job market, their mentor offers valuable insights and guidance, which can help them define and achieve their goals and make informed decisions while overcoming any challenges or barriers they may be experiencing.
“For students in their final years of study, access to a professional willing to share the knowledge, skills and networks developed over years of experience is invaluable,” says Kyla Brierley, associate director of development at the Faculty of Science. “The mentors are there to help these students realize their potential and prepare to enter the job market.”
The second year of the program started this month and will be running until March. For more information about mentorship opportunities, visit the Tri-Mentoring Program website.
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