SEE UTM is a collaboration between the University of Toronto, Mississauga, and the Peel District School Board aimed at making post-secondary education more accessible to high school students. This program will focus on students who come from underrepresented communities at the University of Toronto Mississauga and other post-secondary institutions. The aim of SEE UTM is to encourage program participants to view post-secondary education as a possibility through engagement with classes, experiential learning, and campus life at UTM. Learn more about the program here!
About SEE UTM Mentorship Program
Students partaking in the SEE UTM Program will be paired with a UTM Student Mentor to provide support and guidance through group and individual mentorship (weekly and bi-weekly) as students experience post-secondary education and campus life.
We are looking for Co-Op Supervisors for high school students who are taking a course at UTM! If you are interested please fill out our interest form. Deadline to apply is October 13, 2023.
The SEE@UTM program aims to make post-secondary education more accessible to students who come from historically underrepresented communities. The students will be earning a post-secondary credit through their co-operative education placement with faculty supervisors and administrative staff within various departments. We believe that this experience will help students further develop their skills, receive hands-on work experience, and have some fun all while helping them to achieve their career goals.
SEE @ UTM CO-OP PLACEMENTS
Why Become A Co-Op Supervisor?
1. CREATE the opportunity to provide guidance, direction, and a new interactive learning environment to students outside the classroom.
2. DESIGN specific tasks that support your departmental learning objectives and inspire feedback and discussion from students.
3. GIVE high school students from underrepresented and marginalized communities the chance to gain confidence in their educational journey.
Interested in becoming a SEE@UTM Co-Op Supervisor? Fill out our recruitment form below. Opportunities to be a supervisor are limited, first come first serve basis
Types of Roles Students Have Taken On:
- Research Assistant
- Lab Assistant
- Accounting Assistant
- Programming Assistant
- Communications Assistant
Departments Participated:
- Facilities Management & Planning
- Centre for Student Engagement
- International Education Centre
- Office of VP, Research
- Assistant Dean
- Psychology Department
- VP Academic & Dean
- Recreation, Athletics & Wellness
- EDIO
- Career Centre
And many more…
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I work from home?
Although we strongly encourage an in-person work environment for the students, sometimes this is not ideal for our supervisors. In this case, students are free to work asynchronously or, they can be paired with other collogues and team members working in-person.
How will students be selected?
At the end of the Job Fair, students will list three potential placements which will be reported back to you the students PDSB teacher, Monique James. You will then conduct interviews with potential candidates to find the best student for your role!
Are students trained prior to coming in?
The SEE@UTM students have taken classes on the best workplace practices and how to engage their unique skills to further their professional development. The PDSB instructor will further pre-brief you on all other student expectations.
How do we report student progress?
The PDSB instructor will be in-touch with evaluations throughout the students’ placements.
What kinds of roles will students take on?
The decision is entirely up to you! This is an experiential opportunity, we urge you to give students roles that can strengthen their skills, encourage learning and personal growth.
Who are we targeting?
We welcome anyone from any department, supervisors, staff member, faculty and administrators who want to work with these students in enriching their learning experiences.
How many students do you need to place?
We are requesting seventeen placements for the students.
Important Dates
- October 13th 2023: Deadline to apply
- October 20th 2023: Deadline for job descriptions
- October 23rd – The SEE@UTM Job Fair Students will be interacting with you as their potential supervisors. They will hear about your department, the role they will be taking on and what their experience could look like! It is important we have all supervisors present on this day in order for the students to make well-informed decisions on their top three choices.
- December 7th to January 27th 2023 – Co-Op Placements
- Every Monday – Friday from 12:10pm – 3:10pm
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December 21st – January 5th – Winter Break, No Programming
Your Process
Step One: Fill out our Co-Op supervisor interest form;
Step Two: SEE@UTM staff reaches out with your next steps;
Step Three: Fill out the Job Description form;
Step Four: Attend the Job Fair;
Step Five: Candidate selection;
Step Six: Interviews;
Step Seven: Placements begin.
*The PDSB teacher will provide documentation and guides every step of the way*
PSE Readiness Workshops
Students will attend bi-weekly post-secondary workshops that will feature a broad range of relevant and engaging topics facilitated by SEE UTM Mentors
Workshop #1 – The Story of You
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Deciding on a post-secondary program and career path can be daunting but getting to know yourself and your unique skills and strengths can make it easier to make decisions about your future. This workshop features activities designed to dig deeper into your personal identity and features a presentation from the UTM Career Center to help you relate your skills, strengths, interests, and life experiences to post-secondary programs and career options that are right for you!
Workshop #2 – Let's Talk Finance!
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It’s true – post-secondary education is expensive. However, there are many options available to you to help fund your post-secondary endeavors. In this workshop, you will explore these options and create a personal financial plan to help you decide how you will pay for your post-secondary education and still enjoy your university experience (you can’t live on ramen forever!).
Workshop #3 – Faculty, Student, and Alumni Panel
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Post-secondary is a great opportunity to make connections with other students, your professors, and other teaching staff. There is value in the knowledge and guidance they can provide, which is why this workshop is all about making connections! You will hear from professors, current undergraduate and graduate students, and UTM alumni and have the opportunity to ask all your burning questions.
Workshop #4 – Self-Care & Mental Health Resources
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Academics are important, but at the end of the day, you are so much more than a student. That is why it’s so important to take care of your mental well-being and treat yourself with kindness and compassion. This workshop will review the mental health resources available to you on campus and in the community, as well as give you the opportunity to practice self-care and coping techniques. Create a personalized wellness plan and learn the importance of maintaining your mental health and well-being.
Workshop #5- Celebrating Your Blackness
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This workshop will provide an opportunity to explore and celebrate your Black identity in a safe and supportive space. Engage in meaningful conversations with Black UTM students, staff, and faculty as you share and reflect on your personal experiences navigating the academic world and beyond.
Inquiries
For all questions and feedback regarding SEE UTM Mentorship Program, please contact:
Smyrna Wright
Community Engagement Coordinator, Access & Inclusion Programs
- Email: smyrna.wright@utoronto.ca