Overview of Trimentoring at UBC Computer Science Department

Overview of Tri-mentoring at UBC Computer Science Department • A three-tier mentoring program, matching industry and faculty mentors with senior students, and senior with junior students. • Two programs – undergrad and grad • Number of participants: 2002: 60 2003: 128 2004: 164 2005: 168 2006: 238 2007: 242

Multiple Sources of Support • Departmental endorsement and administrative support • Funding from the Counselling Foundation and VP Students Office via Career Services • Operational support from Career Services • Support from student volunteers • Support from other mentoring groups on campus

Multiple Sources of Support • Support from industry (both in terms of funding and providing mentors) • Support from alumni • Funding from Faculty of Science • Support in form of student enrichment from Student Development Office

A Few Strategies for Program Sustainability • Partnership in delivering workshops and activities with other organizations or societies: We organize an industry panel every year with the graduate & undergraduate student societies to increase participation and cut cost. • Cross advertising and promotion: contact outreach websites, send phamplets to other organizations, share mailing list

A Few Strategies for Program Sustainability • Entrench project into department or faculty portfolio. Tri-mentoring program is officially under the portfolio of our associate head for undergraduate affairs. Gives visibility. • Get faculty/department to provide staff support.

Volunteer Management • Tri-mentoring program – too big in scale for me to manage on my own. • Need to involve students in managing various aspects of the project e. g. matching mentors and mentees, book rooms, organize events, advertising, recruit other volunteers

How to Attract Volunteers • For students to be willing to take on a coordination role: • Give ownership and decision-making power • Involve and update them in all levels and stages of planning. • Get feedback and ideas from them to move the project forward. • Help them develop skills such as project management, team management and public speaking • Recognize them at events, token of appreciation, certificate of appreciation • Write reference letters for them, help them with their resume.