Mentorship feels right

A year ago, Courtney Briggs found herself looking for work and eager to gain career direction. As a recent graduate of the UBC Sauder School of Business, she quickly experienced firsthand the hard reality of today’s labour market. “I did very well in school and it was difficult for me to realize that the competition in the job market could be so fierce,” said Courtney.

With a high unemployment rate in BC, particularly for young people, the challenge not only lies in finding work, but finding a career that feels right. After what seemed like hundreds of rejection letters, Courtney landed a job as a Public Relations Coordinator where she gained valuable skills but realized wasn’t the right fit for her. Courtney soon left that position in search of answers and guidance surrounding her career path.
 
Courtney’s search led her to the YWCA Connect to Success Mentorship Program where she was matched with mentor, Jillian Glover, Regional Communications Advisor at Transport Canada. Jillian chose to volunteer with Connect to Success because of her firm belief that women should have strong female role models in their lives. “When you start your career, it's tough to figure out where you are going, how to set goals, and achieve work-life balance,” says Jillian. “Having a mentor can help you navigate through that.”

Through Jillian’s own professional journey, she was able to reach out and provide Courtney with invaluable support and practical advice. From resume tips to job search help, Courtenay said, “Jillian gave me a lot of encouragement and helped me to see all of my options.”

Whether an individual joins the mentorship program as a mentee or mentor, the relationship is mutually beneficial. For Jillian, the experience as a mentor reinforced her belief in the importance of surrounding oneself with good mentors and sharing one’s career knowledge and success with others.

One of Courtney’s greatest take-away lessons as a mentee is the realization that although there are many jobs that match her skill set, they may not be the right fit. Courtney shares, “I learned to identify what is important to me in a job and search for jobs based on those criteria.”

With the benefit of learning from an experienced mentor, Courtney has successfully landed many informational interviews and has recently started her own consulting practice. She says, “Connect to Success really changed my perspective on my career. I don't think I would have gotten this far alone.”

Today, Courtney looks ambitiously ahead to a bright future. Courtney will continue to build her consulting business, establish long-term relationships with clients, and gain deeper insight into business planning and decision making.

For more information about Connect to Success Mentorship Program, contact Darcie Gabruck at dgabruck@ywcavan.org or 604 895 5857.