"The mentorship was a wonderful experience. Not only was I able to meet and learn from my mentor, I was also able to hear from other alumni during events and build connections with people working in various fields, including the field I want to work in.

It was very inspiring hearing about their stories and learning what it was like attending U of T 40 years back. These conversations made me realize career planning is a lifelong thing; it's impossible to decide what your life is like when you are 20, but the more you talk to people, the better equipped you are to make thoughtful decisions."

"Through the mentorship program, I was able to better prepare for my summer internship and career exploration. I met a mentor whose career path closely aligned with mine, and together we read and discussed academic papers, which helped me gain new insights. Beyond that, I was able to learn more about relevant companies and industries. Through this process, I came to understand that a meaningful career isn’t just about earning money—it’s also about having a sense of purpose.

Meeting with my mentor every two weeks on Zoom helped me practice professional communication, which led to an interview opportunity. Thanks to this preparation, I found myself speaking more confidently and naturally than I had before the mentorship."

"As an undergraduate student, I found it hard to connect with a professional in a field I was interested. Usually, it was in one-time events where there are several people lining up to talk to one professional in a short amount of time.

I would recommend the DCS Alumni Mentorship Program to students who are looking for more private and 1:1 meeting with a mentor who can guide them and the students have the opportunity to ask their questions without time pressure.

I learned how the work environment is in the tech industry, the struggles of finding the first job, and how important it is to have a passion for your work."