Alumni mentorship at UTM : A Q&A with Joanna Rutkowska and Ruth Alemayehu

Joanna Rutkowska and Ruth Alemayehu. Photos by Tara Clemens.

The Alumni Mentorship Program at U of T Mississauga creates meaningful mentoring relationships between motivated upper-year students and our supportive community of alumni. The program looks for alumni mentors from various fields and industries who are eager to share their experiences with students. Student applicants review the mentor profiles and are able to select their own best matches, based on field of study, career path, social identity or lived experience. 

By regularly meeting with their mentors throughout the semester, students can address any challenges they may be facing as they near graduation and can develop effective strategies to pave the way for a successful future. During the program's opening receptions, it is often observed that the students visibly relax as they meet the exceptional group of alumni mentors. They learn that these mentors were once in their shoes and are there to support them.

Alumni mentor Joanna Rutkowska (BA 2018 UTM) and her mentee Ruth Alemayehu (BSc 2024 UTM) were matched through the Alumni Mentorship Program this past year. Ruth was in her final year of study during the program and she has just graduated as a Neuroscience Specialist and Biology for Health Sciences Major. An example of the program’s success, they sat down to share their experiences in the mentorship program and why they developed such a special bond.

Joanna and Ruth, what was your student experience like during your time at UTM? 

J: My student experience at UTM was amazing. The campus had a lot of opportunity. I enjoyed the big classrooms, the prestige feel with the suburban touch and enjoyed making memories, friendships and mentorship relationships in my four years of study. 

R: My student experience at UTM has been great! I enjoy UTM’s tight-knit community and the wide range of opportunities available for students. The best part of UTM is the community. I’ve met so many amazing students, staff and faculty who have really supported me throughout my undergraduate journey. 

Joanna, can you share what you do for a living? 

J: I work with the Ontario Public Service at the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. I coordinate governance, support management and directors and complete financial responsibilities. I love being the co-chair of the TOPS (Tomorrow Ontario Public Service) London Chapter where the team fosters an inclusive culture of engagement, learning, leadership and professional development in the Ontario Public Service.  

Joanna, what motivated you to become a mentor?

J: I love giving back to the UTM campus community as they have helped me become the person I am today. I was actually a mentee in this same program when I was a student in 2018, so this has really been a beautiful full-circle moment for me to come back as a mentor!

Ruth, what inspired you to join the Alumni Mentorship Program? 

R: Before joining the program, I was stuck on what to do post-graduation. I wanted to have conversations with an alum to gain a deeper understanding of different industries. 

Ruth, where do you see yourself headed next?

R: My dream career is in public health and global health policy. My academic, professional and volunteer experiences at UTM have shaped my interest in the intersection of health and social justice. I hope to work with the Ontario Government before pursuing a Master of Science. 

What have you both enjoyed most about your partnership? 

J: Ruth is an inspiration to us all. Not only has she just completed her Neuroscience specialist and Biology for Health Sciences Major, but she’s heavily involved in her community and continues to show up and volunteer where it matters most, despite her hectic schedule. Ruth is kind, generous, intelligent and self-aware and I enjoyed my time mentoring her and learning from her along the way. 

R: Joanna is so kind, understanding and open-minded. I really appreciate having a mentor who is listens to me and has promoted my professional and personal development. Joanna has various experiences as both a mentee and mentor, so she was great at leading conversations. Additionally, she participated in the same program as a mentee during her undergrad, which made her very relatable and easy to talk to.

Ruth, did you feel that the Alumni Mentorship Program made you feel supported and more confident?

R: Absolutely. The program is such a supportive environment and it’s an amazing feeling to see alumni take the time to give back to current students. Additionally, the program gave me the skills to feel more confident speaking with professionals, which is beneficial for when I enter the workforce. 

Joanna and Ruth, do you think you will remain connected going forward?

J: I think Ruth and I will remain friends and connected long after this experience. I’m curious to know where life takes her!

R: Yes, I know we will remain connected. We’ve already made plans to meet again!

Ruth, what advice would you give to new student mentees going into the next cohort of this program?

R: Take the time to think about what types of careers you’re interested in and look for mentors who have experience in those industries or careers. Although Joanna and I did our undergraduate studies in different disciplines, we share the commonality of our interest in government and working as public servants, which made our connection much stronger. 

Joanna, what would you say to other alumni who might be interested in volunteering as a mentor in the UTM Alumni Mentorship Program?

J: I highly recommend the Alumni Mentorship Program for anyone who had a positive experience at UTM and wants to continue to connect with folks, wants to give back to the community and is eager to teach, learn and grow from like-minded individuals.

Originally published by University of Toronto Mississauga