Why You Should Be a Mentor

Supporting Our University Leaders (SOUL) Mentorship Program, initially launched in 2009, is a student-run program unique to YWiB SFU. SOUL connects SFU Alumni from various industries with talented SFU female students based on the personal and professional career aspirations of the student in order to develop an educational mentorship.

As mentioned in a Forbes article, there are benefits in how becoming a mentor can boost your career. You can:

• Better understand the business

• Better understand how people perceive you

• Create a larger network

• Help solve issues

• Gain personal satisfaction

SOUL gives an SFU Alumni the opportunity to gain those benefits. More importantly, the program provides SFU alumni the chance to contribute back to the SFU community, to meet and be inspired by passionate female students, and receive a rewarding experience of making a difference in someoneʼs life.

“SOUL is a supportive environment where both mentees and mentors are encouraged to grow and learn from one another and gain different perspectives on life,” says Sally Lee, co-executive of SOUL.

Both Sally and her co-executive, Fiona Kwong, were part of the program last year and the experience has profoundly impacted them.

“The SOUL Mentorship Program has added enormous value to my university experience,” says Fiona. “Prior to joining the program, I was lost and greatly restricted by my uncertainties and self doubt. My mentor liberally shared her personal experiences, and offered me valuable insight. Her encouragement and support helped me gain confidence that allowed me to step out of my comfort zone to take on opportunities, and achieve the goals I've set out to attain.”

As for Sally, being both a past mentee and a current executive has allowed her to develop long-lasting, meaning relationships and an understanding of SFU alumni who are passionate about giving back.

“I find SOUL to be refreshingly unique from other programs in that it is able to foster genuine and long-term relationships for each individual mentor-mentee relationship,” says Sally. “ I am so appreciative of how the program and the mentors are able to raise confidence and initiative for every mentee, including myself. I hope to have another successful year for the 2013/2014 term!”

*The duration of the program is from November to April. Deadline is August 31.

{Launch Party} Who is Miss YWiB?

Last week, we kicked off the year in style with our annual Launch Party. After winning “Event of the Year” at the BASS Awards last year with Launch Party 2012, we knew it was going to be tough to raise the bar.

With help from our amazing sponsors at Butter Media, Lavish Design, Browns Brentwood and Blanche Macdonald, however, we pulled it off. Over 150 guests enjoyed makeovers from Blanche, tae kwon do lessons from Kees Taekwondo, and manicures from some of our very talented friends. Photos from Butter's photo booth can be found here. Our guests also enjoyed learning some DIY beauty tips, including a sugar honey scrub and banana face mask. Recipes can be found at the bottom of this post!

Launch Party wasn’t all fun and games, though. Upon arriving, the ladies were charged with the task of learning as much about YWiB SFU as possible in order to answer the question, “Who is Miss YWiB?” Throughout the night, we asked our guests to add their major and/or concentration to a large map. By the end of the night, we finally had our answer. YWiB girls are more than just business students. YWiB recognizes that every woman is in the business of building her career, whether she is a science major or an arts student. After adding their names to our map, guests received their swag bag full of goodies generously donated by Unilever Canada.

The executive team would like to thank everyone who attended Launch Party. Your energy and passion for YWiB SFU is inspiring, and we can’t wait to get to know each and every one of you this year. We are also so grateful for all the support from our amazing sponsors, whom without Launch Party would not have been possible.

Membership applications are now closed, however we are still accepting applications for participants for Project GIVE. Applications are due Sunday, September 30 at 11:59 pm.

Our photos from Launch Party can be found here. Below are the recipes used at our DIY Beauty table, enjoy!

Banana Mask	Avocado Mask	Sugar Honey Scrub
Banana – 1 slice Honey – ½ teaspoon Lemon Juice – 1-2 drops	Avocado – 1 teaspoon Honey – ½ teaspoon	Sugar – ½ teaspoon Honey – ½ teaspoon Olive Oil – 1-2 drops Vaseline – less than ½ a teaspoon
What is this good for? Banana helps nourish skin Honey absorbs and retains moisture Lemon juice exfoliates the skin, reducing the appearance of scars and acne This mask is particularly good for oily skin	What is this good for? Avocados and honey are particularly moisturising This mask is particularly great for dry skin	What is this good for? Honey is known for its antibacterial and moisturizing properties Sugar can be used as an exfoliator Good for exfoliation and application wherever needed, best for the lips