This year, West Island College proudly launched a new Alum Mentorship Program as part of the Secondary 5 Personal Project course, offering students a meaningful opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world experience.
The program paired WIC alums with students based on their academic and career interests, which were identified through a student survey. This matching process ensures personalized guidance and helps students understand how their interests align with real-world careers.
From November to January, students met with their mentors three times, through a combination of in-person and virtual meetings. These sessions created space for open dialogue about career paths, post-secondary education, and the day-to-day realities of various industries, helping students gain a clearer sense of what different professions really involve.
“The program helped me understand what working in fashion actually looks like, not just what you read about online,” shared Fabia, a secondary 5 student. “It made everything feel more realistic and achievable.”
Some conversations also revealed unexpected aspects of familiar fields. Adrian noted, “My mentor talked a lot about the psychological side of finance, which I didn’t realize was such an important part of the industry. He was very good at simplifying complicated topics and making them less intimidating.”
For others, the program sparked growing curiosity and deeper understanding over time. “When I first met with my mentor, I was quite ignorant of many aspects of the AI industry,” remarked Seiji. “However, as I spent more time with him, I only became more and more curious and knowledgeable on the topic.”
The mentorship experience was equally meaningful for the mentors themselves, who often viewed it as an opportunity to give back. Jaclyn Mestel ’99, Psychotherapist at West Island Therapy & Wellness Centre, reflected, “It was an honour to participate in the mentorship program. I remember being a student at WIC and having my own mentors, some being teachers, who made an enormous difference in my teenage years.”
This desire to give back is shared by many alums.
“Giving back to WIC feels meaningful because so much of who I’ve become, both personally and professionally, started here. The school played a key role in shaping my curiosity, confidence, and sense of direction,” Matthew Rodin ’12 shared. Highlighting this can inspire community members to see their contributions as impactful and valued.
Overall, the Mentorship Program gave students valuable exposure to careers they are considering, helping them make more informed decisions about their futures. It also strengthened connections between current students and the WIC community, reinforcing the lasting impact of a WIC education.
Following the success of this inaugural year, WIC looks forward to growing the program and continuing to connect students with alums who are eager to give back, inspire, and guide the next generation of Voyageurs.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the participants in this year’s Alum Mentorship Program:
- Michelle Chemtob ’13, Junior Buyer at Dolce Vita
- Brandon Harrar ’06, Founder of HRVST
- Matthew Meland ’09, Commercial Litigator & Corporate Lawyer at Fishman, Flanz, Meland, Paquin LLP
- Jaclyn Mestel ’99, Psychotherapist at West Island Therapy & Wellness Centre
- Jillian Ohayon ’10, Musical Theatre Professional
- Matthew Rodin ’12, Cloud & AI Specialist at Microsoft
- Dimitri Troulis ’09, Founder of Limian Capital.