First in the Family Mentor Positions (2013-2014)
Mentors in the First in the Family Peer Mentorship Program will gain leadership and career development through their involvement in the creation and implementation of ongoing social and academic programming for first- and second-year students.
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Job Description
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Senior mentor positions
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Peer mentor positions
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NOTE: THE APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED ON MARCH 24.
Thank you for your interest. We are no longer accepting applications. THE APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED ON MARCH 24. For questions please email Debbie Molnar, Coordinator of the First in the Family Program.
There are 2 types of mentorship positions
- Senior mentors will be responsible for working with staff to organize FITF social and learning events and will provide mentorship and support to peer mentors. Senior mentors will also assist in designing and delivering training to peer mentors.
- Peer mentors will be responsible for facilitating weekly social and learning events and will act as a mentor and coach for students making the transition to university (first- and second-year students)
- There will be up to 10 Senior Mentors, and each will receive an honorarium of $1,500
- There will be up to 30 Peer Mentors, and each will receive an honorarium of $1,000
Job Description
- Both senior and peer mentors will participate in an intensive mentorship training program designed to enhance leadership, academic support and group facilitation skills. Training will consist of a pre-program training on September 6, 7, and 8, 2013 and ongoing supplemental weekly training throughout the year. Mentor hiring is conditional upon attendance at the mandatory September training.
- The senior mentor contract runs from September 1, 2013 to April 30th, 2014 (generally 6-8 hours per week)
- The peer mentor contract runs from September 1, 2013 to April 30th, 2014(generally 4-6 hours per week)
- All mentors will work collaboratively with staff from the Academic Success Centre and other offices within the Office of Student Life at U of T St. George to develop a curriculum for first-generation students to help them navigate the University
- All mentors will be attending training sessions, delivering workshops, providing one-on-one advising and drop-in hours
- All mentors will attend two leadership and learning symposia (one in October 2013 and one in February 2014)
In detail:
- Senior mentors will work with staff and the peer mentors to design and support academic study sessions and social and learning events for first- and second-year students
- Peer mentors will work with a co-facilitator (another mentor) to lead academic study sessions and social and learning events for first- and second-year students in one of three broad academic backgrounds (Arts, Sciences or Commerce)
- All mentors will work with staff from the FITF program, the Academic Success Centre and other partners at the University (Libraries, the Family Care Office, Academic Integrity Office, Undergraduate Departments, Writing Centres) to develop a targeted curriculum to support the academic and life needs of their first-year students
- Examples of academic support sessions include: subject-specific study sessions; academic skills development; time management; exam and essay preparation; how to write a lab report; how to use the library system; how to choose a Subject POSt
- Additionally, senior and peer mentors will work together to develop co-curricular sessions for students in the program
- Examples of co-curricular sessions include: tours of campus; social events; tours of the City; events to promote physical health; events to encourage community engagement; workshops on campus organizations and leadership
- All mentors will be part of a government report on first-generation students, and will participate in focus groups, data collection surveys, leadership and learning events, and one-on-one interviews
Senior Mentors: Qualifications
There will be up to 10 senior mentor positions:
- Senior mentors must be first-generation students*
- Preference for these positions will be given to students who have previously served as a mentor in the First in the Family Program
- Preference for senior mentor positions will also be given to those who have previously served as a mentor or coach in a post-secondary education setting, leadership opportunity, or community organization (e.g., FLC mentor, FITF mentor, Academic Bridging mentor, Big Brother, etc.)
- Senior mentors must have completed at least two (2) academic years of study (completed 8.0 courses) by September 2012. Senior mentors will preferably have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (as currently listed on ROSI).
- Applicants who do not completely meet this minimum CGPA requirement but can demonstrate that they learned from and overcame academic and personal challenges by making use of University resources are also considered strong candidates for these positions.
- Senior mentors must be currently enrolled at the St. George campus (in a Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, or Non-Degree Program)
- Senior mentors will have a detailed knowledge of the University of Toronto's academic and co-curricular resources and programs
- Senior mentors will have some experience helping other students develop academic skills within their academic discipline (Arts, Commerce, or Sciences)
- Senior mentors will be experienced with the facilitation of group discussions, presentations and public speaking (experience with LEARN, Emerging Leaders, or other programs connected to the University of Toronto Leadership Development Program is an asset)
- Teaching experience (through a practicum or through work as a teaching assistant or teacher) is an asset
- Senior mentors will demonstrate - through related work or academic experience - excellent communication and organizational skills
- Senior mentors will understand the importance of equity at the University of Toronto and will build an inclusive environment to support all students, paying attention to minorities that includes, but are not limited to, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, visible minorities, sexual minorities and women
*We define a first-generation student as a student whose parents or guardian(s) did not complete post-secondary education in Canada - either at a university or college.
Peer Mentors: Qualifications
There will be up to 30 peer mentor positions:
- Peer mentors must be the first in their family to pursue post-secondary education (a first-generation student*)
- Peer mentors must be in the Faculty of Arts and Science
- It is preferred that peer mentors have completed at least one (1) academic year of study (completed 4.0 courses) and have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 (as currently listed on ROSI)
- Applicants who do not completely meet this minimum CGPA requirement but can demonstrate that they learned from and overcame academic and personal challenges by making use of University resources are also considered strong candidates for these positions.
- Peer mentors must be currently enrolled at the St. George campus (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, or a Non-Degree Program)
- Peer mentors will have knowledge of the University of Toronto's academic and co-curricular resources and programs
- Peer mentors will have experience using academic counselling services, writing centres, registrarial services, and/or other University support programs and services
- Peer mentors will have some experience with the facilitation of group discussions, presentations and public speaking
- Peer mentors will understand the importance of equity at the University of Toronto and will build an inclusive environment to support all students paying attention to minorities that includes, but are not limited to, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, visible minorities, sexual minorities and women
- Excellent communication skills are essential
*We define a first-generation student as a student whose parents or guardian(s) did not complete post-secondary education in Canada - either at a university or college.