North Island College’s School of Business is once again partnering with the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce to offer community professionals a chance to mentor NIC business students and empower future careers.
Applications for the Global Leaders of Tomorrow Mentorship program are open until Oct. 30.
Gagandeep, an NIC student finishing the final year of her post-secondary degree diploma in Business Administration, Global Business Management chose a mentorship with Cascadia Liquor Store general manager Jeff Lucas last year. She said the program made a big difference.
“Global Leaders of Tomorrow was really a good experience for me,” said Gagandeep. “I gained confidence and the experience inspired me to continue to develop as an employee. And I learned so much from my mentor, Jeff. Mentorship opportunities are a huge part of what NIC business training offers students – the experience has been invaluable.”
Student mentees will meet with their mentors between November and April, developing a personalized plan with a time commitment of six hours over the six-month mentorship.
Mentorships are not job placements or internships and students are typically not asked to perform work or employment-related activities. Instead, students get a chance to build valuable networking skills and make new contacts, while mentors have the chance to share their experience and connect with the next generation of future employees and entrepreneurs.
Chamber of Commerce CEO Dianne Hawkins said the program is beneficial to both parties.
“For our members, it’s really a chance to connect with a new wave of students and people who will go on to work in business,” Hawkins said. “And for students, it’s a wonderful opportunity to establish those early relationships that can help them start a career.”
Anita Budisa-Bonneau, coordinator for work integrated education at NIC’s Student Employment Services, said mentorships encourage students “to take a first step towards networking and making real connections with the local business community.”
Students can apply for mentorships or find more information by visiting www.nic.bc.ca/international/global-engagement/funding/global-leaders-of-tomorrow. Those interested in applying to be a mentor can do so at http://www.comoxvalleychamber.com/chambermentor.html.
NIC’s School of Business is also proud to sponsor the Chamber of Commerce’s You Rock Youth Award as part of the 2018 Comox Valley Chamber Awards. Nominations are currently open for a number of awards. For more information or to nominate a candidate by Nov. 5, visit http://www.comoxvalleychamber.com/chamberawards.html.