Masters of Environmental Studies (MES) students in York University’s Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) connected with alumni during the annual Anita McBride Mentoring Workshop, held this year on Oct. 19.
Masters of Environmental Studies (MES) students in York University’s Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) connected with alumni during the annual Anita McBride Mentoring Workshop, held this year on Oct. 19.
For the second year, the event was held virtually, allowing more than 30 alumni from all over the globe to participate in providing advice and mentorship to current MES students.
The annual Anita McBride Mentoring for EUC students and alumni features a panel presentation and networking opportunities for students to connect with program graduates.
McBride was the director of the former Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) Office of Student & Academic Services. She began working at the Faculty in 1972 and retired in 1999. During her tenure, she built relationships with students and continued to engage them post-graduation as a volunteer, and continues to do so at present.
“Every year, the mentoring event is the highlight of my autumn,” said McBride. “I so look forward to re-connecting with alumni and faculty and really enjoy meeting current students, hearing about their research interests and watching them engage with alumni. I am thrilled that this event continues to provide value to the grad students and am very grateful for all of the hard work that goes into making it such a success, year after year.”
Professor Leesa Fawcett, graduate program director moderated the event, engaging the alumni panel with questions to illustrate the potential career trajectories of MES graduates. The long-running event, she says, has gained momentum since it’s launch nearly 15 years ago.
“It is an amazingly vibrant and moving event that, this year, brought over 80 people together,” said Fawcett. “There was, knowledge exchanged, connections made, joy and tears shared. Before the internet and Facebook, Anita McBride was an extraordinary, social connecting force, which is why this event matters so much.”
A diverse panel of alumni from various sectors and job pathways participated this year, and shared insights with MES students on how to navigate their time in the program. The alumni participants answered questions on how their post-graduation, and provided tips on navigating the current labour market.
This year’s panelists included:
Anique Jordan (MES '15) – award-winning artist, writer, and curator
Rochelle Strauss (MES '94) – director of education, Toronto Botanical Garden
Evans Rubara (MES '15) – manager, programs and research, Foundation for ASM Development (FADev)
Jason Bevan (MES ’06) – director of city planning strategies, City of Mississauga
Tristan Costa (MES ’18) – planner, City of Brampton
Alumni shared advice with the students and future changemakers, encouraging them to “be excited about what you want to do” (Jordan), “start from where you are and what you know” (Rubrara), “put your name out there and get involved” (Costa), “make connections” (Bevan), and “be brave and reach out to strangers” (Strauss).
Students offered feedback about the event, noting the value of connecting with alumni whose career paths were aligned with their own and learning about alumni accomplishments.