Gurneet's Mentorship Advice

Gurneet Dhami is a graduate student completing her Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. She completed her dietetic undergraduate degree at Ryerson University. She has completed numerous mentorship programs and created connections and opportunities wherever she is located. She has had positive and mentorship relationships and others that did not go as planned. Gurneet would like to give advice to mentors and mentees on how to create a successful relationship. 

Advice for Mentees: 

• Understanding what you are interested in and your career goals; why is it meaningful to connect with this person?
• Understanding how you are with your time and being understanding of your mentor’s time 
• When you meet your mentor, think about if you were to meet a famous person (ex. Oprah), what are 3 questions that you have for them? Make the best of your time and resources for support in professional development, projects or applications for advice.
• You may feel like you are always asking something from your mentor, there’s always the chance to ask “What can I do for you?” It will show that you have value! 

Advice for Mentors: 

• Understanding why you want to be a mentor 
• Know how much time and commitment you have to offer 
• Understanding who you are (personally and professionally) and what you can offer to the mentee
• Be open about what you would like in return (i.e. student volunteer support, personal satisfaction, project help, networking, etc)
• Being honest to the mentee about experiences and willing to share from vulnerability and engage curiosity 

Relationships are whatever you make them and things may not go as planned. You can work through them and build something from them and take them as learning opportunities. Make moments matter to you!

Learn more about OHEA’s Mentorship Program here. 

Connect with Gurneet: 
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/gurneetdhami
Twitter: @gurneetkdhami
Instagram: @gurneetkdhami

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