Artsci Helping Artsci: The Artsci Alumni Mentorship Program

A resounding “Yes!” was the reply when Arts & Science Program Director, Dr. Beth Marquis, put out a call for alumni mentors to participate in the Alumni Experience Inquiry (ARTSSCI 3CU3) course. The incredible response from more than 125 Arts & Science alumni allowed not only for students in this unique course to connect with Artsci graduates, but also for the creation of an extended Alumni Mentorship Program. While ARTSSCI 3CU3 mentors visited class sessions and/or connected with enrolled students for interviews, graduates participating in the broader mentorship program volunteered to meet with current students in all levels to talk about the paths they’ve taken since graduating from the Arts & Science program. The mentorship program provided a wonderful opportunity for current Artsci students to connect with the broader community of program alumni and to gain exposure to the wide variety of different career paths open to Artsci graduates.

The unique, interdisciplinary structure of the Arts & Science Program allows students to pursue their interests and passions through both focused ARTSSCI courses and electives. The paths graduates take after graduation are diverse, and reflect the wide-ranging interests of Artsci students as well as the educational opportunities offered by the program. Many graduates pursue further education while others directly enter the workforce in a wide variety of fields. Alumni mentors in 2023-24 reflected many of the post-graduate pathways open to program graduates, including education, law, medicine, nursing, government relations, technology, public service, business, urban planning, real estate and entrepreneurship.

A few student mentees and alumni mentors reflected on their experience in the program. Here’s what they said:

“The Alumni Mentorship Program was one that assisted me greatly in planning my future career. Through receiving insight from alumni in various fields of work, I received helpful advice on how to navigate my Arts & Science degree, as well as how to succeed in finding a career that aligns with my interests. Overall, the Alumni Mentorship Program taught me much about the applications of Arts & Science in the workforce, and the opportunities Arts & Science gives me in exploring my passions.” – Sara D’Ambrosio, Arts & Science student

“I was so happy to participate in the Artsci mentorship program. Speaking with fellow Artsci students was a fun way to connect with like-minded individuals, and also provide insight to what their paths could look like. The beauty of Artsci lies in its ambiguity, and I was so glad that I could contribute another perspective to how students understand and approach their academic or professional goals. I can’t wait to see how the next generation of Artscis move forward and create change in our community!” – Rachel Murgel (Artsci, 2022), Human Resources Coordinator at Ya YA Foods Corp.

“The mentorship meetings proved to be inspiring. The alumni I engaged with were kind, encouraging, and extremely accomplished in their respective fields. I enjoyed listening to their journeys during and after Artsci and gaining insight into how they integrate their Artsci education into their careers. The relatability of their experiences left me feeling optimistic and motivated as I think about my future beyond Artsci.” – Soraya Lee Wo, Arts & Science student

“I really appreciated having the opportunity to connect with Artsci students as part of the Alumni Mentorship Program. The students asked such thoughtful questions. It was valuable for me to reflect on my academic journey and the perspectives I gained from the Arts & Science Program that inform my work today. I wish I had been able to tell myself 18 years ago not to worry about taking a nonlinear path, and that pursuing disparate interests is never time wasted. I’m so glad that alumni mentorship is offered to current Artscis and I am grateful to be a part of it!” – Kathleen Huth (Artsci, 2008), Pediatrician, Complex Care Service, Boston Children’s Hospital and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

“I had a great experience being a mentor as part of the Artsci Alumni Mentorship Program. The students I met with were enthusiastic, professional, and genuinely interested in hearing and asking questions about my journey from Artsci. I left our meeting feeling refreshed after speaking with students that seemed to be as excited as I am about physiotherapy and related careers. I would definitely participate in this program again should the opportunity arise.” – Farhana Dossa (Artsci, 2012), Pediatric Physiotherapist, The Centre for Chid Development

“I really enjoyed conversing with the Artsci alumni mentors that I was matched with through this program. It was a great opportunity to connect with the broader Artsci community and hear from former Artscis who were previously in my position! The alumni that I connected with were all extremely generous in sharing their experiences with us. It was incredibly helpful to gain a better understanding of how I might leverage the unique skillset and knowledge base that I gained in Artsci in careers that I am interested in.” – Andrea Chang, Arts & Science student

“It has been my pleasure to meet with a number of students over the years as they grapple with their post-Artsci aspirations and navigate the decisions ahead of them. Their thoughtful questions and discussion have prompted me to reflect on my own time in the program, where it has taken me, and what stuck with me (précis writing, thinking holistically, and some exceptional friendships, to name a few). Among the many topics we’ve covered—changing cities, being a generalist vs. specializing, deciding whether and when to pursue graduate studies, having an impact in a bureaucracy, and finding meaning on a meandering path—the tension between idealism and pragmatism is an enduring theme. Being a mentor has been very rewarding and keeps me connected to the growing Artsci community.” – Julie Compton (Artsci, 2009), Negotiator for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

“In my meeting with my alumni mentor, Spencer Nestico-Semianiw, we bonded over our Artsci first year courses and our high school experience as we both did the International Baccalaureate (IB).  He shared the importance of finding a mentor in any profession to introduce you to the field, and also doing some investigating and exploring before moving on to graduate school. For example, he worked a year before committing to law school. Spencer was also willing to keep in touch and kindly encouraged me to send him any emails with questions about law school or Mac. Overall, a great meeting!” – Jonathan Rosenhek, Arts & Science student

“To be invited back to serve as a mentor felt full circle. Coming back to campus, visiting familiar faces, and meeting with my mentee, Jonathan Rosenhek, was a wonderful experience. Jonathan was an inquisitive, bright, and open-minded student, someone who clearly wanted to learn about my work and to discover whether he would find within it the same kind of interest that I did. He asked genuine, candid, and even thought-provoking questions, forcing me to think critically about my career and how I ended up in the place that I did. Whether or not he chooses to go to law school, I hope he knows that he would make a good litigator!

It was a pleasure being involved in the Alumni Mentorship program, as it reminded me of how useful I had found the Alumni Experience Inquiry (ARTSSCI 3CU3) course at a time when the choices available to you can be overwhelming. I think such an experience can be beneficial for any student, whether to help nudge them in a particular direction or show them that a career is not at all what they thought it would be. I hope the Arts & Science program continues to run such an initiative far into the future, and it was a real privilege to have the chance to be a small part of it.” – Spencer Nestico-Semianiw (Artsci 2017), Litigation Counsel at the Crown Law Office – Civil, Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General

The Alumni Mentorship Program truly demonstrates the strength and generosity of the Artsci community. We are deeply grateful for our amazing alumni, and for their commitment to supporting the next generation of Arts & Science graduates. Thank you to all the students and graduates who participated in this program.