The LFS Mentorship Program is designed to provide students in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems with a supportive and enriching career learning experience. Through this program, students are paired with industry professionals, UBC alumni, or upper-year LFS peers who serve as their mentors. By connecting students with experienced mentors, the program aims to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, guidance, and advice to help students navigate their academic and career paths effectively. Overall, the program assists students in expanding professional networks, enhancing personal and leadership skills, and ultimately enriching undergraduate experiences.
The LFS Mentorship Program provides working professionals with an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the career journeys of LFS undergraduate students. Your guidance and support will be invaluable to our mentees who struggle to reach out professionals like yourself. Your insight and unique perspectives will help normalize their feelings and encourage them to embrace curiosity while exploring various opportunities. By sharing your specific experiences, you will empower them to communicate more confidently with working professionals—a skill many of us take for granted.
In return, you get to give back to your community and making a lasting difference in the lives of these students. Our program offers flexibility and accessibility, recognizing that you have a full plate. Additionally, you will have a chance to receive professional support such as, career development webinars, and CliftonStrengths assessments to enhance your mentoring experience. We believe that your expertise has the power to unlock hidden potential, ignite passions and guide our mentees toward both academic and career success!
The program provides mentors with the opportunities to:
- Shape the future of young professionals while learning from the knowledge and strengths they bring
- Hone your coaching and mentoring skills, while fostering your own professional development
- Embrace an open mindset, connecting and learning from individuals with diverse backgrounds and career aspirations
- Make a lasting positive impact on the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and its students
Expectations for participants of the LFS Mentorship Program
Applications are closed for the program and will open in July 2024 for the 2024-2025 Program.
Unlock your potential and explore your endless career possibilities with the LFS Mentorship Program! Our program is designed to empower you to develop networking skills that will open the doors to new connections and future career opportunities. With our wide range of mentors from diverse backgrounds, you'll gain invaluable insights and guidance to navigate your career journey.
Our program offers flexibility and accessibility, recognizing that you have a full plate. So, seize the opportunities that come your way, as our mentors will offer guidance on how to make the most of them. Join the LFS Mentorship Program today and embark on a path of growth, learning, and success!
This career development opportunity provides you with the ability to grow your network, see potential options for your career, and develop skills and tools through a strengths-based approach.
The program provides mentees with the opportunities to:
- Leverage your existing knowledge and strengths while developing new ones through engaging with both peers and working professionals.
- Take part in professional development activities such as informational interviews, LinkedIn webinars and resume-building workshops.
- Embrace an open mindset by connecting and learning with individuals who may not share the same degree or career aspirations.
- Broden your perspectives, embrace new ideas and take on opportunities in a safe, diverse and inclusive learning community.
- Cultivate a systems-based thinking approach that allows you to better identify and develop the various connections and networks necessary for your career pathway.
Expectations for participants of the LFS Mentorship Program
Applications are closed for the 2023 Program. Applications will open in August 2024 for the 2024-2025 Program
Alumni Careers
Mariel Dela Cruz
Food, Nutrition & Health major (2022)
In first-year, Mariel thought she was going to be a Veterinarian. She now works as a Communications Coordinator.
How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?
The LFS Academic Career and Engagement (ACE) team provided me with a lot of transferable skills like teamwork, organization, time management, and problem solving! I was also in the LFS Mentorship Program where I met a lot of inspiring mentors. Being involved has helped me explore my interests and be open to different careers.
Marissa Gibbard
Food, Nutrition & Health major (2018)
In first-year, Marissa thought she was going to be a teacher. She now works as a research manager in healthcare.
How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?
Having the opportunity in my undergraduate degree to solve problems with other people in a supportive environment gave me the foundation and real world skills to apply and succeed in my current role.
Tiffany Tchen
Food, Nutrition & Health major, Commerce minor (2017)
In first-year, Tiffany thought she was going to be an Ultrasound Technician. She now works as a Campus Recruitment Associate.
How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?
I was on the LFS|US First Year Committee and continued as an AMS Representative. This was my first community involvement on campus and it empowered me to improve my leadership, communication and collaboration skills, which set me up for success when I was applying for my first full-time job after graduation.
Brenda Yim
Food Market Analysis major, Master of Management (2021)
In first-year, Brenda thought she was going to be a Supply Chain Associate. She now works as a Sr. Marketing Account Coordinator and Food Content Creator.
How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?
My Work Learn role, specifically with the LFS Mentorship Program, has helped me grasp the 4 P’s of marketing. I contacted alumni and current students to learn about their unmet needs before graduating and created a mini-marketing strategy to communicate the program’s benefits to the students.
Dave Eto
Food Science major (1985)
In first-year, Dave thought he was going to work in food processing. He now works as a CEO.
How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?
In my last year in Food Science, everyone took an AgSc 401 course which involved all graduating Agriculture students going on a week-long field trip together. The connections and relationships we built during school carried over into our professional careers and created strong relationships and opportunities that have continued.
Hannah Phua
Food Science major (2021)
In first-year, Hannah thought she was going to be a Dietitian. She now works as a Research and Development Technologist.
How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?
My undergraduate thesis (FNH499) gave me the opportunity to develop technical skills such as building experimental designs, performing data analysis and presenting scientific results as well as soft skills such as gaining confidence in independently completing projects and managing timelines and associated deliverables.
Majid Hajibeigy
Food and Environment major (2018)
In first-year, Majid thought he was going to be a veterinarian. He now works as a CEO of a Kelp Farming business.
How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?
So many key mentors such as Dr. Sean Smukler, Dr. Andrew Riseman, and Dr. David Fraser stood out for me. Learning from others is great for your career, which is why I’ve been a mentor for the LFS Mentorship Program in the past.
Viviane Franson
Food, Nutrition, and Health major (2010)
In first-year, Viviane thought she was going to be a teacher. She now works as a Clinical Manager in Infection Prevention and Control.
How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?
Working on projects from the LFS core series (LFS 350) gave me the opportunity to develop skills in the classroom before starting my career after graduation.