A mentor’s perspective: Janet and Teniola’s mentoring story
Janet Dang, Public Policy & Administration (MA) ’13, is a Career Mentor in Toronto Metropolitan University’s Tri-Mentoring Program.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s Career Mentoring program managed by the Tri-Mentoring Program connects alumni to third year and above students to support their transition from post-secondary education to the workforce. Mentors offer advice to students to help them achieve their personal and professional goals and can choose how they interact with students from one-on-one matches or flash mentoring (one-time interaction).
Hi, I’m Janet!
I am the Transformation Lead, Primary Care for the Western Ontario Health Team (London-Middlesex) through the Thames Valley Family Health Team. As part of my job, I work with different stakeholders to strengthen primary care sector governance and the implementation of Ontario Health Teams. Previously, I was a Project Manager for the North Toronto Health Links for the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. I led the coordinated care planning with primary care and community partners. I have a Master of Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University as well as a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Western Ontario.
My mentoring experience
My experience with the Tri-Mentoring Program at Toronto Metropolitan University has been incredibly rewarding. When I first signed up in 2017, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew I wanted to participate as I have benefited from mentorship throughout my career. After completing some initial surveys I was matched with a student mentee, Teniola Jegede, who was a fourth-year undergraduate student. The Tri-Mentoring Program is well established and provided unique opportunities to prepare both the mentor and student mentee through workshops and different events.
My role as a mentor focused on supporting Teniola through the final year of her undergraduate degree. This journey involved developing our relationship by sharing my personal and professional experiences, providing moral support and being a sounding board. We had opportunities to connect in person, but also virtually. This was very important as Teniola was beginning to explore graduate schools and I was travelling often. We focused on work and life skills such as motivation, decision making, problem-solving and career planning.
Teniola Valerie Jegede, Public Health & Safety ’20, student mentee to Janet Dang.
As a mentor, the experience I gained mentoring Teniola helped facilitate my own professional growth and strengthened my coaching and leadership skills. Ultimately, this mentorship relationship isn’t a one-way process. It’s a two-way street and has been very fruitful for both of us!