TRAINING

Who should apply to the Leaders of Tomorrow Mentorship Program?

Post-secondary students who are entering their final year of studies, regardless of whether the program is two years, four years, or longer. Recent graduates may also be eligible to apply.

For example, students graduating in 2027 or 2028 are eligible to apply for the 2027–28 LOT cohort.

I will not be in Vancouver for the entire duration of the program, can I still participate?

Most LOT events and activities are offered in person, and we encourage mentees, mentors, and volunteer teams to connect face-to-face whenever possible.

To get the most out of the program and fully engage with the LOT community, participants are ideally based in the Greater Vancouver region or able to travel into the region periodically to participate in in-person opportunities.

How do you match the mentors with the mentees?

Accepted mentees are asked to complete a detailed profile to help us understand their background, interests, and goals. Our matching process considers several factors, including their field of study, professional field of interest, career aspirations, skills they would like to develop, hobbies, personal interests, and location.

What is the time of commitment?

The LOT program is designed to be flexible and accommodate the schedules, availability, and changing priorities of mentees, mentors, and volunteer teams. On average, participants can expect to dedicate approximately 4–8 hours per month to the program.

This time commitment includes meeting with your mentor, attending LOT and Greater Vancouver Board of Trade events, participating in volunteer committee meetings, and contributing to volunteer projects and tasks.

What are the requirements to graduate from the LOT program?

1. Meet with your mentor at least five times (meetings can be in person, virtual, or by attending events together).
2. Attend at least five GVBOT/LOT events.
3. Participate in your volunteer committee meetings and projects as requested (projects and activities vary by committee).
4. Attend at least one committee meeting outside your own as a guest, or participate in one LOT Mentee-led activity/event.
5. Respect the Code of Ethics & Conduct.

What is the timeline of the application process?

The LOT program runs from September to August each year.

Applications for the upcoming cohort are typically accepted until the end of April. The selection process takes place once annually in June.

Successful candidates are notified of their acceptance in July, and the program officially begins in September.

What is the format of the Virtual Interviews?

The Virtual Interview Night typically consists of an online group interview. Candidates are assigned to a virtual breakout room with a LOT Ambassador who facilitates the session.

The interview generally includes two parts. First, candidates are asked questions related to the four pillars of the LOT program: Leadership, Mentorship, Networking, and Volunteerism. Please note that applicants are not expected to have previous experience in all four areas, but should be able to demonstrate their interests, goals, and aspirations related to each pillar.

The second part of the session includes an interactive activity designed to showcase candidates' communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Activities may include an elevator pitch on a specific topic, a case study, or another collaborative exercise.

The LOT team reserves the right to update the interview format each year to best support the selection process and candidate experience.

What if I can't make it to the Virtual Interviews?

The LOT Virtual Interview is a mandatory step in the LOT selection process. If you are unable to attend the scheduled session, please contact the LOT team as soon as possible to discuss your circumstances.

While we may not be able to accommodate all requests, we will do our best to support applicants where possible.

What are the eligibility requirements to be a LOT mentor?

LOT mentors are expected to have a minimum of five years of professional work experience, hold a management-level position or above, and be cardholding members of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

What is the time commitment?

LOT mentors are expected to support their assigned mentee throughout the program year by sharing their experience, insights, network, and guidance as the mentee navigates the transition from post-secondary to their career.

While mentees are only required to meet with their mentor five times during the program year to successfully complete the program, we encourage mentors and mentees to meet approximately once a month and, whenever possible, in person to build a meaningful mentoring relationship. Meetings can take place in person, virtually, or by attending events together.

Who will I be mentoring?

LOT mentees are final-year post-secondary students or recent graduates from post-secondary institutions across the Lower Mainland. They represent a wide range of academic disciplines, backgrounds, and career interests.

While many participants are traditional undergraduate students, the program also welcomes graduate students, mature students, and international students who bring valuable professional and life experiences from around the world. Regardless of their background or stage in their journey, all mentees are looking to develop their leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and gain guidance as they navigate the Canadian workplace and transition from post-secondary education to their careers.

How do you match the mentors with the mentees?

All mentors are asked to complete a short profile that helps us understand their professional background, experiences, skills, areas of expertise, and interests. We use this information to match mentors with mentees based on the guidance, knowledge, and support the student is looking for.

We may also consider additional factors such as field of study, career interests, hobbies, personal interests, and location to help create meaningful mentor-mentee connections.

What are the benefits of being a LOT mentor?

Being a LOT mentor is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting the next generation of leaders. Through mentorship, you can share your experience, insights, and professional journey while serving as a trusted advisor, sounding board, and source of encouragement for an emerging leader.

Mentors also have the opportunity to expand their own professional network by connecting with a diverse community of accomplished mentors, industry professionals, and motivated students who have been selected through a competitive application process.