From the Classroom to the Workplace

one male standing and one male sitting, while both are looking at a laptop and laughing

“Being a part of the CIPS Mentorship Program was very impactful and an eye-opener for me, my mentor was very helpful with asking the right questions… I think I am on the right track, and I believe our relationship will transcend the Program!” – A.O., Mentee

“The highlight for me is the opportunity to give back to my community and see positive feedback or progress made by my mentees.” – L.A., Mentor

One of the benefits of a CIPS Saskatchewan membership is access to our Mentorship Program. At no additional cost to the basic membership fees, you can receive direct and personalized guidance from a CIPS Saskatchewan member and IT Professional.

This assistance is invaluable for people taking their first steps in the world of IT. In such a fast-moving, high-tech field, knowledge gained from experience is often equal to that found in the textbook. Best of all, the CIPS Saskatchewan Mentorship Program doesn’t end with graduation. Your mentor can stay with you as you progress from student to intern to professional, offering advice along the way.

 

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As much as the mentee benefits from professional mentoring, the mentor, academic institutions, and employers all gain as well. The mentor can develop a rewarding personal relationship with an aspiring IT professional, enjoy the satisfaction of sharing their hard-earned knowledge, and create a strong professional network with the people who will become the next generation of decision-makers.

Meanwhile, academic institutions and companies gain what is essentially an additional teacher or consultant on their staff. This has many benefits: experienced mentors sharing their wisdom with student mentees can help improve student performance, while in the workplace, the guidance of an experienced IT professional can provide direction for employee growth.

We have a very high success rate at matching the right mentor to the right mentee, and it only requires a few hours of commitment each month. With a new school year starting up, now is the perfect time to get involved. If you’re interested in exploring mentorship opportunities with CIPS Saskatchewan or would like to submit a mentorship application, then you can either visit this page or send an email to mentorship@sk.cips.ca.

 

Doug Lawrence

We would like to recognize Doug Lawrence, a key figure in the development of CIPS Saskatchewan’s Mentorship Program. Doug was the Public Appointee and sat on the CIPS Saskatchewan board of directors for two terms. In his last year, Doug generously created two scholarships (available at SaskPoyTechnic and the University of Saskatchewan) for students in the BIS and CS programs. The scholarship is the Debra Lawrence Scholarship.

Thank you, Doug, for the generosity of your time and the scholarship. We are pleased that you will continue to support the Mentorship program as a committee member.