Organization: UMFM, the University of Manitoba's premier campus radio station

Name: Jared McKetiak

​Q: Why do you mentor students?

A: I am always open to mentoring students because I have had some pretty great mentors in my own life.  I am a firm believer in giving back to the community whenever I can and I see the opportunity to work with students from the Met as a chance to do just that.

Q: What do you think students gain from mentorships?

A: I hope that they are getting the chance to learn some interesting new skills in a welcoming environment that may serve them not only in the present, but also later in life.  I have certainly learned a lot from my mentees!

Q: What have you or your organization gained from mentoring?

A: We're huge fans of the experience - we've gotten the chance to work with some really creative young minds that have brought a lot of enthusiasm and fresh viewpoints to the station.

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Ordnry Clothing 

Mentor:  Matt Gunn

Interview completed by Laverny.

Background: Matt Gunn is a clothing designer and manager of Ordnry Clothing. Ordnry Clothing came into existence in 2012 when a few friends noticed a lack of streetwear fashion in Winnipeg. The shop began as a lifestyle boutique that specialized in shoes and streetwear. As the company built up local interest, the friends began to experiment and develop their own brand. Now, they are well known locally in the Winnipeg community, as well as internationally! Madonna, OBJ, and Tory Lanez, along with many others, are wearing and endorsing the Ordnry brand. Ordnry Clothing is constantly thinking of new projects and ideas as they state, "We aim to revolutionize the design process with intricate storytelling and continue developing our signature looks with a strong emphasis on innovation."

Q: Where do you work?

A: Ordnry Clothing  

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: "I'm passionate about the field I'm working in." Matt received a Business Admin degree at Red River College. He pursued his passion as a entrepreneur and created a whole new style of clothing. The roles that Matt has at Ordnry is the store manager and a designer for the clothing.

Q: Why do you support the Met model of internships and mentorship?

A: "I'm very passionate about creating and designing clothing. I think anybody should get a chance to have a feel for it if they're willing to learn how to start their own business or create their own piece of clothing."

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Organization: Seven Oaks Settlement Services

Mentor: Rowena Hernandez

Q: Describe your relationship with your mentee. How do you support and guide their day-to-day learning?

A: Myself and Manpinder have a pretty good relationship, I always make an effort to ensure that Manpinder has multiple tasks that he enjoys to fill his day. I always check on Manpinder through the day to make sure everything is going good and answer any questions he has.

Q: In Seven Oaks Immigrant Services, we provide an environment where Manpinder could take part of the basic workplace experiences. Manpinder is given a specific project to work on or role based on his learning goals set before the onset fielding him to the office. He could present a plan or we suggest based on the current needs of the organization such as documentation, survey/study, day to day interaction with clients etc. Given this situation, he is expected to write, record and reflect on his learning each day he is here and asked questions and direction on where we could support him. He is not exclusively reporting to just one staff but to all depending on staff availability and presence considering the variances of staff/mentor work schedule.

A: If the experience is not congruent to the Manpinder's goal, Mapinder is expected to communicate to me on how we could go forward or change venue and look for other opportunities for learning experience.

Q: How have you seen your mentee learn and grow during your time together?

A: I could tell that Manpinder is learning and growing because he feels at home with the workplace; where he could raise hand and volunteer to take part to do different pieces of projects and offer himself to be exposed in other opportunities/areas of learning. 

Q: Why did you decide to get involved in mentoring a student from the Maples Met School?

A: We believe that our workplace is a good training ground for students who wanted to learn different things on immigration, developing strength in socio-cultural relationship and basic skills in office management and standards at the same time.

Q: How would you describe the benefits of the Met model of learning

A: MET system of education for me is so amazing. It's experiential and empowering that when a student is really into it, he could make himself very versatile and ready to face the real battle of workplace. I guess students whose graduate here could be such a wonderful person, brilliant  and I think more valuable team player in workplace and will be successful in their chosen career.