The Dalhousie Law Alumni Association Alumni Mentorship Program aims to extend Dalhousie's collegial spirit by facilitating mentoring relationships in every province for upper year, articling students and recent alumni entering the profession. The program will provide an opportunity for students to meet with alumni to address questions about the practice, share their experience, provide career advice and generally lead by example.
The Student's Role- To observe the various facets of the profession demonstrated by your mentor.
- To ask questions of your mentor you would not be typically able to ask others.
- To develop networking skills.
The Mentor's Role- To act as a role model by sharing insights and techniques on achieving a successful career in law.
- To act as a source of information with regards to the bar in mentor's jurisdiction and share knowledge about mentor's area of practice, and the practice in general.
- To act as an advisor by assisting with building and pursuing career and lifestyle goals and enhancing marketing and practice building skills.
- To build confidence by demonstrating positive aspects of the practice and encouraging professional integrity.
Program Guidelines- It is expected that parties will hold shared information in strictest confidence.
- It is suggested that the parties outline areas of confidentiality at the first meeting.
- Students are not to solicit or expect their mentors to provide them with any kind of employment opportunity.
- There is no set number of meetings; this can be arranged between the pairs.
- The mentoring arrangement is a year-long commitment, although we hope that the relationship will extend beyond this time.
- Pairs should plan to meet at times convenient to both parties, keeping in mind work commitments.
- Neither party is expected to pay for the activities undertaken during the course of a meeting, such as paying for meals, drinks, entertainment etc. or otherwise.
- Articling and third-year students will be matched with mentors prior to second-year students. Second-year students will be matched according to subsequent availability of mentors. It is our hope that the program will engage a large enough pool of mentors that all three years will find matches.
- The Dalhousie Law Alumni Mentorship Program will attempt to match students according to their requested specifications but cannot guarantee that exact matches will be possible.
Suggested Activities- Meeting informally, for a meal or a coffee.
- A tour of the mentor's law office.
- Introduction of mentees to networking opportunities.
- Concerns resulting from the mentoring relationship by either party should be addressed to Karen Kavenaugh in the Alumni Office.
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