ABOUT
Members lifting Members: Get matched 1-1 with a WIFT+ Toronto member through this exclusive mentoring program.
- Build your community and your confidence
- Get more insight on a specific sector or role in the industry
- Set career and personal development goals
- Learn from your peers
- Experience what over 300 WIFT+ Connect Alumni have experienced!
Nobody who has built and sustained a long and thriving career ever claims to have done it alone. They often speak of someone (a teacher, a boss, a peer) who not only saw their potential but also provided guidance and motivation. A village of supportive, tenacious, bold individuals—mentors—is a key asset to our growth as professionals. They bolster our confidence and resilience, and open us to new adventures.
Through WIFT+ Connect, members of different experience levels will learn from, guide, and support each other through a series of focused one-on-one and group meet-ups over a six-month period.
DATES
Opening for Mentee applications: Monday December 11, 2023
Deadline for Mentee applications: Sunday January 21, 2024
More dates to come!
FOR MENTEES - Eligibility Requirements
One Requirement to Apply: you must be a WIFT+ Toronto member in good standing.
You can join at the time of your applications but please note: joining does NOT guarantee you a position in the program.
Priority will be given to first-time applicants.
It's FREE to apply to this program!
The WIFT+ Connect program is open to women, trans, genderqueer, two-spirit and non-binary WIFT+ Toronto members.
WIFT+ Toronto is proud to commit to assigning at least 50% of our mentee positions to successful applicants who are members of the Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Colour communities.
Application Process
Complete the online application (which includes submitting the following supporting documents):
- Letter of Intent (see the Registration page for information on what this letter must contain)
- Letter of Support (see the Registration page for information on what this letter must contain)
- Professional bio (150 words max.)
- CV/resume (2 pages max.)
IMPORTANT
Due to the specialize and exclusive nature of this program and the partnerships being made, the number of Mentees accepted into the program will be 60 - 75.
We strive for a 1:1 Mentor/Mentee partnership.
If accepted into the program, we cannot guarantee that you will be matched with one of your top three selections, though we will make every effort to do so.
Priority will be given to first-time applicants.
FOR MENTORS
“My experience as a mentor in the 2017 WIFT Connect program was extremely rewarding. I had the pleasure of working with a bright young woman and helping her think through the next steps in her career path. Most enjoyable was her absolute commitment to think about our conversations, work on feedback, and evolve her approach. Her passion for the industry was infectious. Her drive to create her own path was inspiring. And her perspective on challenges and opportunities challenged my own thinking.” ~Cheryl Fullerton, 4x WIFT Connect Mentor and EVP, People & Communications, Corus Entertainment
Mentoring is a rewarding experience and an excellent way to shape the future of our industry. Here are some of the amazing benefits for you as a WIFT Connect mentor:
- Give back to your community in the industry
- Network and make new connections
- Contribute to someone's personal growth and development
- Guide someone as they set career/personal development goals
- Be a part of knowledge transfer (not only top/down, but reciprocal and peer-to-peer learning)
- Help to cultivate an ongoing mentorship mentality and environment