Testimonials
“I always look back fondly at my time at UBC as and undergrad and graduate student. The Mentoring program allows me to stay connected with the School of Kinesiology, from afar, while helping to gain terrific insight into the next generation of leaders in this field. As a Mentor, I’d argue that I get just as much out of the connection as the Mentee.”
Atila Ozkaplan
Mentor, BHK 2001, NBC Olympics
“What I enjoyed most about the program is that it allows me to stay connected to UBC Kinesiology while mentoring a youth while they are navigating the University life and the ever-expansive field of Kinesiology. Being able to work with a mentee to help them develop their direction within Kinesiology allows me to pay it forward similar to when I had support from UBC Kin (all the wonderful faculty, advisors, and other students). I believe professionals that came from the study of Kinesiology should foster and develop mentees as they will become very important in the future for the industry moving forwards.”
Jesse Robertson
Mentor, BKIN 2015, MKIN 2016, The Arbutus Club
“Students need connections in the business world to support their next steps after university. I really enjoyed the conversations with my mentee and understanding their perspective and where they wanted to go and finding ways I could support them and ask the hard questions. Mentoring the next generation of UBC kinesiology grads is important and rewarding.”
Debbie Butt
Mentor, BPE 1989, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
“This program has provided me with a window into the dreams, fears and challenges of graduating students as they make the transition from the classroom to life beyond. It’s always rewarding to gain perspective and share insights with every mentee.”
Sush Raj
Mentor, BHK 1995, Kerrisdale Notary
“I look forward to the sessions; I enjoy sharing the experiences I’ve had and seeing that it has a positive impact on my mentee.”
Phillip Yan
Mentor, BKIN 2015, Occupational Therapist
“Being a part of the mentorship program is always something I look forward to. Through the years I’ve had the opportunity to develop great relationships and find new ways to support students as they prepare for their next steps. Giving back is important and I’m always pleased to return back to UBC to help how I can.”
Bianca Knop
Mentor, BHK 2006, Founder, Wildfire Experiential Events
“Being a mentor has given me the opportunity to give back to a community that helped me end up where I am today. I have really enjoyed working with different mentees over the years, adjusting to their learning styles and supporting them through their successes and their failures. As much as I have mentored them, they have also helped me learn to adapt and aspire for more in my own career!”
Abhi Cherukupalli
Mentor, BKIN 2015, MD 2018
“Mentorship is about giving back to a community that helped raise you up to be the person standing here today. It’s an honour to help students become the future leaders of tomorrow.”
Tyler Chong
Mentor, BKIN 2015, MPT, 2017 Myodetox
“Mentoring reminds me of how passionate I am of my work, and how excited I am to share my knowledge. One of the best assets a mentor can provide is the real-life applicable wisdom beyond the textbooks.”
Ling Pai
Mentor, BHK 2007, Pulse Cardiac Centre
“One of my favourite moments during the mentorship program is watching the students reflect on their interests, strengths, and passions, and from there helping them through considering various career options within the field of healthcare. Having been in their position not too long ago, this process, and the mentees themselves, also pushed me to reflect on my own decisions to pursue a career in medicine.”
Ana Boskovic
Mentor, BKIN, 2015, Medical Student
“Through meaningful bonds, I was able to learn how to guide mentees in discovering their passion.”
Taha Qaiser
BKIN 2015, MD Candidate
“The Kinesiology Mentorship program was the perfect way for myself, a UBC Kin Alumni, to be involved and help shape the future of Kinesiology. It is invaluable to share experiences, knowledge and hopefully be a rock in someone’s journey. Every student I have mentored has been professional, enthusiastic and used this opportunity to learn more about the profession and how they would like to fit within it. My hope is that we can remain in touch and grow from each other indefinitely.”
Shireen Mistry
Mentor, KINH 2010, painPRO Therapeutics