i Wannabe Mentored Competition Winners Announced
Female students in undergrad and graduate studies and recent graduates from mining-related disciplines across Ontario were invited to the “i wannabe mentored” competition. The competition will reward deserving individuals with $500 to fund one hour of mentorship time with one of the executives auctioned at the 3rd Annual CEO/CFO ‘Auction for Action’ event. Women Who Rock gives exceptional students this unique opportunity, and we picked the ‘top of the top’ after a rigorous process, representing students from all over the country
Applicants were required to submit the following:
- a one-page essay answering:
As a future leader in the mining industry, identify your “big idea” to solve the labour and shortage gap and how you would champion gender diversity within the industry?
Outline how mining companies, government and not-for-profit organizations can work together to achieve a vibrant, progressive and economically viable outcome.
- their resume outlining their interest and passion for mining; and
- a three paragraph story on how an existing mentor influenced their career and choices.
Below are highlights from students’ essays:
Jaimie-Lee Bruce
Geoscientist in training, Honours Undergraduate in Earth Science, Brook University
“A solution to the labour and shortage gap is to create programs that aim to guide potential employees into the industry. These programs would specialize in a variety of services such as mentorship, hands-on training, or offering additional education. The main purpose of these programs would be to provide additional guidance, offer a source of connection, and to build encouragement to those who are trying to further their career.”
Margarita Cargher
Master of Business Administration (Advanced Standing), Schulich School of Business, York University
“We need to create a specialized mining professional program that has several stages: a high school stage, post-secondary stage, and experienced stage.
The ultimate vision is to have the mining companies, government, and non-profit organizations working towards a common goal of diversity and sustainability. This vision, in my opinion, can be achieved by creating a specialized mining program that nurtures leaders from high school, supports throughout postsecondary, and provides a path for the future.”
Dana Berdusco
BASc in Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa
“A great way to solve both of these issues is with school initiatives, starting at a young age. Promoting STEM programs to future employees starting in elementary school will inspire them to head in this direction with their lives.
Also, increasing the amount of mentoring incentives could really affect the shortage gap and gender diversity in a positive way. Introducing young adults to opportunities with mentors will have a huge effect on their future career decisions and their potential. It will also better prepare them for post-graduation employment as they will have already begun building their skill sets.”
Kassandra Del Greco
M.Sc. Structural Geology, University of Victoria
My “big idea” to solve the labour shortage gap is to implement a country wide, customizable, development plan that would allow young professionals to work with a supervisor as they progress throughout the first years of their careers.
Although mentorship and education are not big, shiny, new ideas, the concept of my solution would be a government mandated development program that mining companies could actively participate in and that the not-for-profit sector could serve as a resource and enabler for. The program would encourage people from all levels of the mining industry to be generous with their time by educating and mentoring the younger and/or upcoming generation of mining professionals.
Allison Carson
Masters of Business Administration, Specialized in Global Mining Management at the Schulich School of Business, York University
“In order to address the talent gap in the mining industry I believe that industry needs to get more involved with students in their undergraduate programs, and create better internship and development programs for after graduation, helping to ensure they are opportunities in the industry no matter where we are in the cycle.
Industry members should be participating in undergraduate programs by offering their time as guest lecturers and mentors, and help students create the networks they will need as they develop their careers. Mining companies should also be creating internship programs for students and development programs for graduates.”
Zaineb Alfaesl
Bachelor in Civil engineering, University of Ottawa
“As a future leader in the mining industry, I would like to propose a three-step solution to solve the labour and shortage gap and to also champion gender diversity within the industry. The first step of this solution system is to advertise mining as an attractive career option to the public. The second part to this solution is to harbour a diverse and an inclusive workplace. Finally, the third step of this solution system and to tie this all together is to hire more women and people of colour and to appoint them in higher positions.”