2020 Constantine-Yorkville Virtual Run
2020 Constantine-Yorkville
Virtual Run
September 19th, 2020 (or 26th if raining)
GEM Voices

The Power of Mentorship

Written By
Hira, GEM Alumna
January 16, 2023

From the moment we begin to think about the future we expect ourselves to have the perfect plan all laid out, which is unfortunately not as simple as a quick Google search or answer from Alexa. Perfectly laid out plans do not exist but shared experiences do. When you are hesitant to check out a new restaurant, you ask around and get reviews before you make a decision to go. Mentorship is just like that. When you are unsure, underprepared or unfamiliar with a potential opportunity, you can rely on your mentor to provide you firsthand insight.

I was in the eleventh grade, halfway through high school, on the cusp of adulthood with the ever-growing anxiety and societal pressure of knowing and deciding what exactly I wanted to do after graduation. Luckily for me, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in business because I was fascinated by the idea of being at the forefront of an area that touched every aspect of my life. But the dilemma I faced, was I had all this passion and drive but lacked the confidence in pursuing it because I was afraid of failure and how to stand out in a sea of competition.

The greatest dilemma we face when making life decisions is indecisiveness; university or college, science or business, take the risk or wait for a better time. See, I was not the first person who was at a crossroads, unsure and hesitant about my future. Granted everyone has situationally unique factors but just like sharing a postal code with your neighbour, being a part of a global one direction fandom or having the passion to start a company, we share experiences. The power of mentorship lies in the fact that some person out there has been through what you are going through, and managed to navigate the situation to overcome challenges faced along the way. In essence, mentors not only help and guide you towards accomplishing your goals but also help you navigate an unfamiliar portion of your life.

Mentorship is not a one-way street, where only one person benefits from the experience. So it is important to note what you as a mentee bring to the table. In my own experience, it was knowing how much I could benefit from my mentor’s extensive experience but also understanding that it wasn’t only about me. I initially felt unsure of how I could contribute, being a high school student and having never worked professionally in my life. What I quickly realized is no two people share the same perspective and that me speaking up and sharing mine helped me contribute in a meaningful way. It was with my very first two mentors that I realized my potential, which continually plays a tremendous role in shaping my successes.

The greatest life lessons I learned from my mentors include:

1.     The 80 vs. 90 on your report card is not a question of your intelligence but an opportunity for improvement.

2.     Soft skills are developed, technical skills can be taught

3.     You have value. You have worth. Your life experiences matter.

4.     Your personal brand defines you.

5.     Balance optimism and realism.

My mentors really impacted how I thought about my career because to me, they were people who had built themselves up to becoming empowered business leaders and their vote of confidence really empowered me. From studying at the University of Toronto to working at a retail technology and electricity company, my mentors have prepared me to face challenges head-on, navigate ambiguity and how to grow and move forward in my professional career.

Fast forward to today and not only have I been mentored by a number of incredible people, but I also strive to become a mentor myself because of the admiration and respect I have for all the people who have dedicated their time to help me. I hope that one day I can give back in the same way. #EmpowerToPower #MentorshipMatters

Thank You Alexis Wolski, Alison Simpson, Sabina Ghose and Lavina Sharma for your guidance and kindness.

Support #TeamGEM at this year’s Yorkville Virtual Run!

This year, the Yorkville Run will be held virtually from September 13th to September 27th, 2020. Below are the different ways you can participate and support us this year.

1) REGISTER TO Run or Walk with #TEAMGEM

Together, from the safety and comfort of our own neighbourhoods (or anywhere you choose, as long as it abides social distancing rules) we will be RUNNING or WALKING for #TeamGEM on September 19th, 2020 (or on September 26th if it’s raining).

Click here to register

All registered participants will receive a Premium Race Kit and customized Starter's Medal.

To prove your participation, you must do one of the following:

  • Record your run by using our custom Starter's Medal and/or a GPS App such as STRAVA, ASICS RUN KEEPER, or NIKE PLUS and submit your time and a photo of your time to your Race Roster profile.
  • Post a selfie/run photo or video taken during or after your run on Facebook or Instagram and follow @YorkvilleRun and tag ​#TeamGEM, #YorkvilleRun, and #Constantine5K. There are several partner prizes to be won!
2) SPONSOR A GEMGIRL TO PARTICIPATE

We have a roster of GEMgirls who would like to run for #TeamGEM. Donate now to help them register!

SPONSOR A GEMGIRL
3) Donate to a #teamGEM runner

If you can't make it, you can also support a #TEAMGEM runner.

SPONSOR A RUNNER
Dates to Remember
Tuesday, September 8th
to Saturday, September 12th, 2020
Race Kit Pick-up. Participants will be notified via email where in Yorkville you can pick up your race kit.
Sunday, September 13th, 2020
at 9:00 AM
Virtual Event Kick-Off. Join the Constantine Yorkville Run’s Virtual Event Kick-Off by tuning into Facebook & Instagram Live.
Saturday, September 19th, 2020
Run or walk anytime, anywhere for #TeamGEM!
Saturday, September 26th, 2020
#TeamGEM's back up day should weather prevent the run on the 19th.
Saturday, September 26th, 2020
at 5:00 PM
Winners of the Constantine-Yorkville Run’s fundraising prizes will be determined.
Sunday, September 27th, 2020
at 9:00 AM
Join the Constantine-Yorkville Run’s Virtual Event Closing Ceremony by tuning into Facebook & Instagram Live. Hear from our partners and share in the run's exciting fundraising achievement! Fundraising prizes will also be rewarded.

Your support at the Constantine-Yorkville Run this year will raise awareness and funds for the GEM program, which directly impacts young women in our communities and gives them the skills and tools they need to succeed.

Thank you for supporting mentorship!

Questions? Contact us at info@girlsementorship.com

Downloads

Share your participation and support on social media! You can retweet/share GEM’s run postings or use our branded material for the run.

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