INNOVATION May-June 2014

m en tor i ng

Natasha Jmaeff, GIT, left, and Julie Orban, P.Geo.

APEGBC Mentorship Program Helps Launch Professional Careers

APEGBC’s Mentorship program started in 1998 in an effort to connect engineers-in-training, geoscientists-in-training and applicants with established professional members of the association as a way to help answer questions about the registration process, and to help EITs, GITs and applicants grow professionally as they prepare for registration. Sixteen years later, there are 232 active matches. APEGBC has set up a database to expedite the matching process, and eligible mentees are those registered with APEGBC as EITs, GITs or applicants in good standing. Both mentors and mentees can list what qualities they would like their counterpart to have, and any requests are then posted to the database. This process allows both mentors and mentees to be paired with someone who will help them make the most of their mentorship experience. When Natasha Jmaeff, GIT, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, was looking for her mentor through the program, she had only one specification: “My preference was merely a geoscientist in the general area.” However, Natasha managed to connect with Julie Orban, P.Geo., BC Ministry of Environment, who happens to work in the same building on a different floor. “I was matched with Julie in April 2013. We had our first official mentor/mentee meeting in May.” Natasha remembers that what excited her most about the match was the opportunity to connect with “an outgoing, successful, reputable, female professional geoscientist.” Julie concurs. “It’s refreshing to be around someone that’s keen to launch their professional career.” The two have met regularly over the year to the benefit of both women. “Entering the final year of my GIT program, I was looking for guidance to ensure I was obtaining the necessary experiences to fulfil the requirements for the professional geoscientist application,” says Natasha. “I wanted to discuss

the experiences I obtained in my current and previous job and determine what areas I needed to focus on. Julie was able to answer every question I had and explain some of the requirements in more depth.” The program aims to benefit both established professionals and members-in-training by facilitating a deeper understanding of career choices and a realistic perspective of the professions, and mentors get to log professional development activity as well as give back to their own profession and help shape it for future generations. “I remember how multi-faceted, and, really, how overwhelming the application process was for me as a GIT,” says Julie. “I knew that if I could assist someone in navigating the way it would be time well spent.” As her first experience as an APEGBC mentor goes, Julie says this has been a most enriching one. “If I had had such an opportunity as a GIT, it would have helped remove some of the mystery and intimidation around the application process for me. This experience also adds another dimension to my professional repertoire.” For the return on investment, the program doesn’t require a significant personal commitment. “Because of our busy schedules, Julie and I have only met up a few times, however each meeting was filled with valuable information, which means it was a success for me. She’s always answered every question I’ve had for her,” says Natasha. “Julie has given me the confidence to know what direction and steps I need to take to become a professional and be successful in my career.” For those interested in becoming a mentor, Julie has just one piece of advice: “Go for it! It’s a win-win situation.” For more information, or to express interest in the program, visit apeg.bc.ca/go/mentoring.

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