We engage mentors in programs, camps, clubs, and events for many reasons. Mentors enrich the experience of our programs for the youth who participate, the communities we live in, our national network, and you - the instructors. This section will highlight some of the benefits that mentorship can offer and will speak to the purpose of engaging role models.

Mentorship is generally considered to be a valuable way for people to learn, feel supported, and grow into roles or develop skills. The Canadian Government, (Employment and Social Development Canada, 2020) explains that mentorship is when knowledge, support, lessons or resources are shared from one experienced person, to another person. 

In settings with youth, role models, leaders and mentors can support by passing down what they know, developing relationships, and encouraging a culture of learning. 

Actua’s National Mentorship Program connects youth participants to inspiring, diverse mentors who share their personal stories while leading activities or making presentations on their related fields. Actua mentor events often provide youth with their first opportunity to meet “real-life” scientists and engineers. These personal interactions result in a demystification of science fields and the dispelling of common associated stereotypes.  Mentorship is also an opportunity to connect the STEM concepts and content that program participants are learning to career opportunities and local/global examples. Youth (and instructors) can gain a better understanding of the wide variety of STEM careers available, and see the STEM they are learning as it exists outside of the classroom.

Some of the benefits for youth mentees may include: 

• Improved skill developmentImproved confidence
• Scaffolded knowledge on subject areas
• Opportunities to challenge stereotypes and expand notions around representation 
• Opportunities to increase participation of girls, non-binary, gender-expansive, Black, and Indigenous youth in STEM
• Connections to STEM in the “real-world”, examples of science, technology and engineering in local and career contexts

Becoming a mentor or role model in a program has many potential personal and professional benefits for a professional individual. Some of those benefits include: 

• Personally rewarding opportunities to share skills and knowledge. 
• Shared value in giving back to the community through mentoring.
• Opportunities to help youth develop skills and knowledge, such as problem solving and critical-thinking, that will benefit society in the future.
• Opportunities to share industry specific knowledge, skills and locally relevant insight (e.g. mining professionals can have a chance to engage and connect with youth who live in local areas where mining is a large industry).

Connecting with industry professionals and professors at your Institution not only provides experiences for youth, it also helps to raise the visibility of our network member programs.  Mentorship can introduce the youth to the mentor, as well as introduce your program to the mentor. These connections can build into long term partnerships that may result in further support - whether that’s financial, content, or other support. Providing opportunities for employees to give back to the community can contribute to a funder’s interest in supporting our programs. 

Working with mentors on content opportunities can also contribute to ensuring participants are able to take part in industry relevant content.

Engaging mentors can also be an opportunity for you as an undergraduate student to expand your network of industry contacts, explore diverse representation of folks in STEM careers, and expand your understanding of what jobs are available. With our changing job market and changing world of work - there are likely many STEM jobs out there you may have never heard of. 

Whether working with a professor at the university, a local knowledge keeper or community leader, or an industry professional, working with a mentor can allow you to better understand their work, various STEM fields, and build meaningful connections.

Mentorship can also be an opportunity to seek guidance and support from a community you are collaborating with or you intend to ally with. Engaging role models, leaders and mentors can create the possibility to learn and apply cultural practices in your programs. 

Finally, you are encouraged to see yourself and your fellow instructors as mentors. By engaging with the youth participants, getting to know them, and sharing your experiences and expertise, you are well positioned to be a role model to these younger students. Throughout your time as an instructor, there may be opportunities for you to develop content based on your own studies and share personal anecdotes or STEM lessons in your program or in other programs across the network. Students will be watching and looking up to you. Keep this in mind as you interact with youth, and remember that your Actua instructor experience is a great opportunity for practicing leadership skills. Your experience can also be an excellent example to highlight on resumes, job interviews, and in networking settings.