Mentorship Opportunity
Be the mentor you needed
By Kaarina Valavaara
The Dalhousie School of Occupational Therapy’s equity‑oriented mentor program exists to support occupational therapy students from equity‑denied groups. Mentors from the profession, who are also members of the same equity-denied groups, are role models for thriving in the face of oppression. They offer safe and trusted spaces where students can talk openly, feel heard, and have their experiences validated. Mentors also help students develop practical strategies and advocacy skills to address oppression and discrimination in their roles as occupational therapy students. The mentors and the School of OT Equity Committee work together to continuously learn from and improve the program so it can respond to the changing needs of students. If you are interested in learning more, look out for an upcoming article in the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education will share findings and reflections from an initial evaluation of the program!
What current mentors are saying:
"Being a health mentor is an honour and a privilege. The role allows me to be there for students in a way that was not there when I was a student, This can include being a listening ear, a guide to resources that a student may need or a conversation to validate their experiences. The role offers flexibility so I can maintain my full-time employment and meet students when and where it is convenient for them. Whether by a video call, over the telephone or in-person within our community. Students tell me they appreciate the health mentor role." ~ Chris McWilliam
“Mentoring students has been a wonderful opportunity to create a space where students feel seen, supported, and feel like they truly belong in occupational therapy. I find it incredibly rewarding to connect with students and validate their experiences, and share some of my own. Even with a busy schedule as a full-time clinician, mentorship allows me to invest in a more inclusive and responsive future for OT. I would encourage others to get involved; your presence and perspectives might be exactly what a student needs to thrive.”
~ Stephanie Bizzeth
We are currently looking for an occupational therapy mentor with Indigenous lived experience. The successful candidate will join a team of experienced and supportive mentors who are committed to improving the educational experiences of students from equity-denied groups. This is a dynamic role and may include meeting with students, connecting them to existing resources and collaborating with the other mentors and the School of OT Equity Committee on advocacy initiatives. Mentoring experience is preferred but not required. Having experienced barriers in OT education is an asset to this position.
This is a paid casual position and requires a time commitment of approximately 5 hours or less/month. Preference will be given to someone who can attend occasional, in person events at Dalhousie in Halifax, but the position can be completed virtually. Please see below for more information and if interested, contact Kaarina.Valavaara@dal.ca
Current Mentoring Opportunities