Mentee FAQs

Mentors are experienced marketing professionals who are dedicated to supporting newcomers to Canada in the marketing field. They come from a variety of backgrounds, including Fortune 500 companies and many of CMA's partner organizations such as RBC, BMO, Kaiser and Partners, Dentsu, Scotiabank, Canadian Tire, Ontario Lottery and Gaming, and others. They are committed to giving back to the marketing community through mentorship

You will be selected to participate in the CMA Newcomers Mentorship Program because you expressed an interest in being mentored, and because you meet the eligibility criteria for the program

As a mentee, you play a key role in your job search and the mentoring relationship. This involves maintaining regular communication with your mentor throughout the program. It is important to actively follow through on the advice and connections your mentor provides

The time commitment is 12 hours over six months. This works out as approximately 30 minutes every week or 2 hours per month. You and your mentor can decide on a schedule that suits your goals for the partnership and your availability. As a starting point, Mentees are accountable for booking the meetings unless the mentor prefers to do so

Mentor-mentee matches are based on the information provided by both parties. We take a holistic approach to reviewing this information to ensure the best possible match

Mentors do not find jobs for their mentees. Instead, they provide valuable marketing-specific knowledge and advice. Mentors can guide you through the hiring processes typical in Canadian companies, offer insights to prepare for marketing interviews, and discuss differences in hiring practices between Canada and your previous countries of residence. They may also be able to help you navigate the corporate work culture in Canada.

Open communication is the key to any good relationship. Throughout your time with your mentor, you should be speaking to them about whether or not you are fulfilling the goals you both set out at the beginning.

While we strive to match you with someone who shares similar professional experiences, we cannot guarantee a perfect match. We encourage you to be flexible, as mentors bring valuable knowledge and wisdom regardless of industry or background similarities.

It is normal that not all relationships will be perfect. If you find yourself in a situation where conflict or any other problem has developed, please email us at mentorship@thecma.ca. A member of our mentorship committee will work with you to resolve issues. If you and your mentor are not right for each other, we will end the mentoring partnership early in the relationship.

Participants receive a one-year free membership to CMA, providing exclusive access to CMA's events and resources. Additionally, we have exciting programming planned throughout your mentorship journey, including fireside chats with marketing leaders on various topics to support your development.

The CMA Mentorship Program is currently in its pilot phase with only 50 spots available for mentees. Not being selected does not reflect on your qualifications, but rather the limited number of openings at this time. We encourage you to stay updated on the CMA website and reapply when we expand the program to accommodate more mentees in the future