Peer Mentorship Program
Starting as a first-year student at NAIT is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming and scary. We know it can be difficult to navigate your academic program, connect with other students, develop a sense of belonging, and find your rhythm.
The Peer Mentorship Program at NAIT offers a low-pressure space for peer-to-peer learning and support to take place. First-year students (mentees) are matched with experienced students (mentors) in their academic program. Mentors and mentees will also be matched based on shared goals, interests, and personal background.
As mentees navigate their first year at NAIT, mentors provide them with advice, guidance, and support through regular meetings and other forms of meetups.
Together, mentors and mentees will discuss topics such as:
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Navigating your first year at NAIT.
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Succeeding in the classroom: academic topics, strategies, or concerns.
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Navigating resources and support at NAIT.
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Balancing academic and personal life.
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Getting involved outside of the classroom: engaging in student life activities such as events, volunteering, clubs, and more.
Roles
Mentors
As a Mentor you will help support, guide, and advise first-year students in the same academic program with additional similar interests, helping them navigate the transition into NAIT life.
Mentor role
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encourage mentees to access campus resources and support them through the challenges of their first year
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engage mentees in conversations about personal and academic success
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build a climate of trust with mentees
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ask open honest questions to help mentees reflect on behaviours and progress
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seek out opportunities to expose mentees to new ideas and opportunities
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link to full Peer Mentor Role Description
Benefits
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a meaningful volunteer experience where you will form long-lasting relationships with fellow students and staff at NAIT
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develop leadership and relevant soft skills through intentional training and mentor-mentee relationships
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develop feelings of connection and belonging within the NAIT community
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connect classroom knowledge to real-world experiences
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recognition of volunteer hours on your Ooks Life Involvement Record
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events, food, swag and community
Mentees
As a Mentee, you will work with your mentor to seek out resources and other people who will help you be successful in your first year (and beyond!) at NAIT.
Mentee role
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lead communications between you and your mentor
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identify the skills, knowledge, or goals you want to work on or discuss with your mentor
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identify ways to give back to your mentor and show appreciation for their support
Benefits
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develop strategies to successfully transition into life at NAIT
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develop connection and belonging within the NAIT community
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understand the support and services available to you for personal and academic success at NAIT
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refine leadership skills and develop greater self-awareness and self-directedness
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increase self-confidence and improve mental health and wellbeing
Sign up
If you’re an experienced NAIT student interested in supporting a first-year student who is new to NAIT, or you’re a new student looking to be matched with a mentor in the program, visit your MyNAIT portal today for all the application information.
Learn more and apply
Additional Peer Programs at NAIT
Drop-in Peer Support from NAITSA
If you’re not necessarily looking for a long-term, formalized relationship with an experienced student at NAIT, you might be interested in seeking Peer Support through the NAIT Students’ Association. Peer Support is an anonymous and confidential supportive listening service for students, by students. Delivered on a walk-in basis, or through a LiveChat.
International Students Peer Group
The International Peer Group program helps new students studying in Canada to make friends, build connections, and have a great campus experience at NAIT. The program provides peer-to-peer connections to help reduce cultural transition stress for students new to studying in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mentorship?
Mentorship is a structured (formal or informal) relationship that typically takes place between a more experienced individual and lesser experienced individual who is seeking advice, guidance, and support on a particular subject. When done right, mentorship relationships are mutually beneficial for both the mentor and mentee.
An example would be an experienced student being a peer mentor to a new student, the peer mentee, in a particular subject, or in a new school.
Why should I work with a mentor?
Further to the information provided, peer mentorship provides first-year students (mentees) with the opportunity to connect with an experienced NAIT student. Mentors help you/mentees:
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develop academic and personal strategies to successfully transition to NAIT life
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understand the support and services available to you for personal and academic success
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increase your feeling of connectedness and belonging with the NAIT community
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develop friendships and personal accountability
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learn from the advice and opinions of someone in your program with more or different experience
Is this program offered in-person or virtually?
Once Peer Mentors and Mentees are matched together, they can decide whether mentor-mentee meetings and activities take place in-person, virtually, or through a combination of both. Therefore, participation in this program will be based on what works best for the individual participants.