Alumni Mentorship Program

Updated January 30, 2025

Sponsored by: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work & Alumni Association 

For over twenty years, the Alumni Mentorship Program has been connecting graduating MSW students with alumni to ease the transition from being a student to being a professional social worker. Mentors provide guidance with career planning, provide information on agencies within their practice area, and most often and importantly, encourage and give moral support throughout the process of becoming a social work professional. Year after year, students report on how much it means to have someone who has been where they are, as well as, to guide, support, and welcome them to the field. The Alumni Mentorship Program is an opportunity to inspire and make a lasting impact on the next generation of social workers. 

The goal of the mentorship program is to provide the student mentee with assistance in the process of transitioning into the field of social work in their area of interest upon graduation and to also beware them of various fields and areas in which social workers can contribute. The program runs from January to June in preparation for graduation. 

New format for 2025

In consultation with current students as well as the AMP alumni representative, we expanded the Alumni Mentorship Program’s format and platform to provide students and alumni with increased opportunities for functional, engaging group and individual activities throughout the program. Rather than formal matching of mentors and mentees made by FIFSW, students and alumni will be able to make their own matches.  Monthly opportunities for all upper-year MSW students and alumni to come together are also provided.

The monthly virtual workshops will focus on essential professional skills, including: 

• Networking: Through an in-person event (January) 

• Personal Branding: Crafting effective CVs, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles (February) 

• Interviewing: Techniques for confident interviews and professional communication (March) 

• Salary Negotiation & Headshots: Approaches to salary negotiation and professional headshots for personal branding (April) 

Each workshop will be led by experienced alumni, offering valuable insights and opportunities for hands-on practice. 

Students who actively participate in the program are eligible to receive annotation on their Co-Curricular Record (CCR). 

Limitations of scope

• The mentor is not expected to find the mentee a job. The mentor will help the mentee locate opportunities and to prepare for success in securing an appropriate position.
• The mentee and the mentor will negotiate and mutually agree on the amount of time to be devoted to the mentoring process. The mentor will understand that the mentee is very busy with courses and field placement. The mentee will understand that the mentor’s time is valuable and may be limited due to professional demands and other commitments. As mentors may be contacted by a number of students, it will the mentor’s discretion to limit how many students they can support.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Alumni Mentorship Program? 

  The Alumni Mentorship Program connects graduating Master of Social Work students with our alumni who are social work professionals working in the field. Mentors share their experiences to support you in your own professional goals. 

• What might mentors provide?

  • Support and encouragement
  • Resume and cover letter assistance
  • Job interview skills development
  • Networking with other professionals
  • Tips for your employment search

• Who are the mentors?

  Mentors are alumni of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work who volunteer their time and skills to give back to graduating MSW students. Mentors come from all areas of practice and have experience in many different fields of social work.

  “Really great opportunity to meet and learn from one another. Provided them with info I wish I had!”
  – 2022 Alumni Mentor

• Who are the mentees?

  Mentees are current MSW students who are graduating at the end of the current academic year. This program is only meant to support students who finishing their programs and are about to transition into their careers as professional social workers.

• How can I join the program?

  Both students and alumni can choose to participate in the program as little or much as they can.

  All students with a planned graduation year of 2025 on Connect have already been added to this group.

  Alumni, to ensure you receive notifications of events, and to access student/alumni profiles, you should join the “2024-2025 Alumni Mentorship Program” on FIFSW Connect.  Visit our Steps to join the Alumni Mentorship Program page for full instructions.

  Any participant can choose to leave the group at any time.

• How is mentor-mentee matching done?

  Matching will mostly be done between the students and mentors, based upon their own review of profiles, and meeting during the in person kick off event. Small group mentoring and coaching-models may also be available based upon the availability and preference of the alumni mentors.

  Students and alumni can view each other’s profiles through the “2024-2025 Alumni Mentorship Program” on FIFSW Connect. View our Find an alumni mentor page for full instructions.  

  Should participants still wish FIFSW to create a one-to-one match, please reach out the Student Engagement Coordinator for assistance.

• How long does the program last?

  The Alumni Mentorship Program runs from January to June 2025. Some connections may continue with mutual agreement.  We encourage all mentors and mentees to discuss this further.

• Is there a cost?

  There is no cost to either the student or the mentor. FIFSW and the Alumni Association fund the majority of the costs associated with the Alumni Mentoring Program.

• What if I have questions about the program?

  The Student Engagement Coordinator in the Office of Student Services & Registrar oversees this program and will be more than happy to answer questions or concerns regarding the program.