Q&A: Job Shadow Mentor

Hanna Stewart is a Policy Analyst with the Government of Canada and Mentor in the Job Shadow Program. Here, she talks about why she signs on to mentor students at Carleton University.

Why do you find it valuable to participate in the program as a Job Shadow Mentor?

I love the Job Shadow Program at Carleton because of the people! All the students I have had the privilege to meet have been wonderful and so easy to talk with. I believe having the opportunities to interact with others in fields that interest you past your undergraduate degree is invaluable.

How you find the process of being matched with and meeting students?

Since joining the Job Shadow Program, I have been very pleased with the matches I have had and with meeting a variety of students each from such unique backgrounds. Not only differing in their program of studies, but their involvement on campus and aspirations after their time at Carleton. I’m learning so much from each match I take on.

What topics do you like to cover in a Job Shadow session with your student?

While the mentorship program is fluid to encourage mentors and students to meet in person or online, I personally try to offer both options! I often offer to the student as a first meet up “let’s meet online, so then if we’re talking about resumes, LinkedIn pages, searching for opportunities after one graduates, etc.,” I can easily have that on hand with the laptop and a share screen option in front of me. Then, I often offer a second meet up so the student and I can meet face to face. I let the students lead the conversations so I can learn from them and see how my experiences can help them in their next choices, stepping into a career, another degree, etc.

Anything else you think would be good for us to know?

I highly encourage more participation in this program for current students and alumni! I only wish I had this as an option in the later years of my undergraduate degree. It’s so important to make the connections with others in fields that interest you early on. And then you never know where those connections will lead you. One of my closest friends to this day is a mentee turned friend! If it weren’t from this program, we would have never met.