Learning Together Through Mentorship

In celebration of January Mentorship Month, we explored the powerful connections between mentors and mentees, revealing how these relationships foster growth, inspiration and transformation. Far from being a one-way street, mentorship offers mentees invaluable guidance while providing mentors with fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose. 

To delve deeper into this dynamic, we spoke with Ericka Emes, a University of Calgary graduate student, and her mentors: Cayla Spiess, BCS’19, MBA’22, a professional in the sports broadcasting industry, and Paige Greenhough, MBA’20, a global marketing manager with Hatch, a Canadian engineering and project delivery consultancy. Both have built meaningful connections with Emes through UCalgary Alumni’s Mentor Link and the BMO Mentorship Program, demonstrating the profound impact of mentorship on all involved. 

A Mentor’s Journey: Giving Back and Gaining Fresh Perspectives 

For Cayla, mentorship has been an integral part of her career. A UCalgary graduate with more than two decades of experience in broadcasting and the business of sport, she reflects fondly on the early stages of her professional life and the pivotal role her first mentor played.  

“I had always sought out mentors starting when I was in college,” she says. “My first mentor took me under their wing for the majority of my career, provided opportunities that prepared me for my first job and was there for me through several challenging times.”   

These experiences instilled in her a deep appreciation for the value of mentorship, inspiring her to give back. Over the years, she has mentored broadcasting students, helping them develop their skills, navigate challenges and build confidence. Her connection with her mentee Ericka, has been no exception. Cayla was immediately struck by Ericka's clarity and determination.  

“What stood out right away was that she knows how she wants to approach her grad school experience,” Cayla says. “It’s easy to do something daunting like grad school the way everyone else is approaching it, but knowing what works for you and sticking to that is a critical life skill.”  

A Mentee’s Perspective: Building Confidence and Embracing Growth 

Ericka, a current Accelerated MBA student at the Haskayne School of Business, embodies the proactive spirit of mentorship. With a Bachelor of Business Administration and professional experience in marketing and brand management under her belt, Ericka brings a wealth of knowledge to her academic journey. However, she credits mentorship with helping her gain clarity and confidence in her next steps.  

“Mentorship has had a great impact on influencing my confidence as I navigate what courses I want to explore and the direction I want to take my academic journey,” she says. “It has helped me diversify my knowledge and has been great in understanding how this will further my overall career.”  

Cayla is the latest of two mentors with whom Ericka has connected through the BMO Mentorship program. The first was Paige, whose company provides services in the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure sectors. Ericka credits Paige with providing her with the tools to embrace the unpredictability of life.  

One piece of advice from Paige was particularly impactful for Ericka: crafting a dream career by designing the “ultimate job description.” Paige encouraged her to identify desirable aspects from various roles and use them as a blueprint for her own career goals.  

“Not all paths are linear, and taking chances on yourself is important,” Ericka says. “This has helped me realize that, even if my journey does not look like others, it doesn’t mean it is not just as great — smart work and resilience will pay off.” 

Mutual Growth: The Mentor-Mentee Exchange 

While mentees like Ericka benefit from the wisdom and experience of mentors, Cayla emphasizes that the relationship is far from one-sided. For her, mentorship is a way to stay connected to evolving trends and challenges in her industry.  

“(Mentorship) always helped me keep a fresh perspective of what students are going through and how the broadcasting market was changing,” Cayla says. “It has taught me how to listen and pay attention to problems that students face that I might not have gone through … Listening with an understanding ear is very important.” 

Paige, for her part, also sees a great return from Ericka, and says a mentorship relationship can be equally rewarding for the mentor as it is for the mentee.  

“My conversations with Ericka offer me the chance to reflect on my own experiences, sharpen my leadership and communication skills, and gain fresh perspectives from her unique insights and challenges,” says Paige. “They foster a sense of purpose and fulfilment as we contribute to each other's growth while often rediscovering our own motivation, values and goals.” 

The connection between the three highlights the unique value mentorship brings to both participants. For Ericka, the relationship has been a source of encouragement and inspiration, empowering her to explore new opportunities and embrace her individuality. For Cayla and Paige, mentoring has been an opportunity to reflect on their own journeys and continue learning from the next generation.

“It has taught me that keeping an open mind and learning from others is the best way to be a great leader,” says Ericka. “I would love the chance to pay it forward. I would carry forward the patience and understanding I’ve seen in my mentors.”

The Broader Impact of Mentorship 

Mentorship doesn’t just benefit individuals — it strengthens communities, fosters collaboration, and builds a culture of growth and support. Programs like the BMO Mentorship Program and platforms like Mentor Link facilitate these connections, creating opportunities for alumni and students to share knowledge, build relationships and inspire one another. 

Paige emphasizes how mentorship fosters a culture of shared learning and mutual support. 

“In my opinion mentorship cultivates a dynamic exchange of knowledge and ideas between generations,” she says. “These relationships can lead to lasting and positive connections, collaboration and inspiration. They drive innovation in both professional and personal growth, mentorship is a true catalyst for collective progress and continuous learning.” 

For Ericka, the impact of mentorship extends beyond her academic and professional journey; it’s about developing the leadership qualities she hopes to embody in her own career., whatever that may be. 

“It has taught me that keeping an open mind and learning from others is the best way to be a great leader,” she says. “I would love the chance to pay it forward. I would carry forward the patience and understanding I’ve seen in my mentors.” 

Whether you’re guiding someone at the start of their journey or seeking support to navigate your own, mentorship is a shared journey that enriches everyone involved. It’s a testament to the idea that growth doesn’t happen in isolation — it’s nurtured through connection, collaboration and a willingness to learn from each other.