BMP Launch Event
I first heard about the BASS Mentorship Program (BMP) at Beedie FROSH. Like many other first year students, I signed up because the senior students spoke so highly of the program. At the beginning, I was a bit sceptical when filling out the personality survey that would match me up with the right student mentor, but whoever did the mentor and mentee pairings certainly found me a great mentor.
The night of the first BMP event was foggy, but the eeriness of the campus was a great setting for the “Hunger Games”. In this game, we were first split into several districts, and I saw a lot of unfamiliar faces in my district. The event opened up my eyes to how much bigger the Beedie community was than what I had initially thought. Despite the fact that I barely recognized anyone, the ice was quickly broken through various activities that we took part in. This event was the first time I met my mentor, as well as other fellow mentees. The bonds of friendship that I’ve gained through this event were incredible, and made the event an amazing start.
One of the perks of having a mentor who is similar to you is that they might foresee in what areas you might have trouble in, before you even ask for help. Coming from high school with consistent straight A’s and a good list of extracurricular activities, I did not expect university to be much different. However, after taking on a four-course load and getting involved with a few student clubs, I started to fail my exams. Gratefully, I had my mentor willing to help me out and walk me through this tough time. After getting time management tips and advice for studying from my mentor, I was able to get back on track and receive my first A in university. I was ecstatic to say the least, and I couldn’t have done it without my mentor’s help.
As the semester went on, it was time for another BMP event: The Pitch-Off. For me, this event seemed intimidating at first because it was my first time presenting to a roomful of business professionals. Nevertheless, BMP eased us into the idea of networking through workshops, and made the event as relaxing as possible. There was a perfect ratio of alumni, industry professionals and fellow competitors that made the experience a comfortable one. The final round of the competition got more intense, but by that time, I had already pitched myself to so many people that I was relaxed and confident. The event was a great tool for first year students to get into networking and formal presentations.
BMP Wrap-Up Party
The months following the Pitch-Off passed by quickly, and before I knew it, it came to the end of the mentorship program – the Wrap-Up Party. It might have been the end of BMP, but the friendship and lessons that I have learned will definitely last a lifetime.
Athea is in her first year at the Beedie School of Business. Consistently looking for opportunities to make a societal impact, she is involved in various organizations such as AIESEC, Enactus, and the Student Marketing Association. Athea is planning to concentrate her degree in Marketing, and is currently exploring her interests in this field. She is very excited to continue in her academic journey, and looks forward to taking advantage of all the opportunities that Beedie has to offer.