About CareerCompass

The gap is clear and evident – youth want mentorship, but are unable to find it. Research has shown that 1 in 2 young adults can recall a time when they wanted a mentor but did not have one (Mentor Canada, 2019). The addition of a global pandemic has only worsened the situation. Not only are youth facing barriers to establishing personal and professional goals, but they are also lacking access to supportive, formal mentorship opportunities that can provide them guidance on career exploration and readiness.

As a result, YWCA St. John’s wants to ensure that opportunities are in place to support young women and gender diverse youth in building meaningful careers. Grounded in frameworks of intersectional gender equity, social justice, and strengths-based approaches, the CareerCompass program is a career exploration, readiness, and mentorship program developed by YWCA for young women and gender diverse youth between ages 18 and 25.

Delivered in partnership with community partners, the CareerCompass program will pilot starting January 2024 and run for a total of 6 months.


Application Status: CLOSED

Current cohort duration: January - June 2024

What does the program include?

The CareerCompass program provides one-on-one mentorship for youth seeking guidance on building meaningful careers. In addition to mentorship, program participants also get an opportunity to learn, and/or build on, technical and interpersonal skills through workshops focused on career and personal development.

  • The program includes a total of 8 skill-building workshops. Topics include (but are not limited to): Exploring career opportunities, resume and cover letter writing, enhancing interview skills, financial management, personal branding, and workplace rights.

    Mentees will also have the opportunity to complete a strengths/values evaluation and attend a training workshop that will prepare them for a successful mentorship experience.

  • The program also includes a total of 10 mentorship sessions. Following the partial completion of skill-building workshops, mentees are expected to meet with their mentors twice a month (for a period of 5 months).

    Mentees will have access to a mentorship handbook, and continue to attend monthly skill-building workshops, to successfully meet their goals and expectations.

Eligibility Criteria

For Mentees:

  • Young woman or gender diverse youth, between ages 18 and 25.

  • Living in the St. John’s Metro region. Seeking employment support/guidance in building a professional or skilled career.

  • Motivated and open to learning from a mentor.

  • Able to make a six-month commitment and willing to complete all components of the program [includes skill-building workshops and mentorship].

Mentee applications close on Dec 8th, 2023

For Mentors:

  • Living in the St. John’s Metro region. Looking to support/guide a young mentee in building a professional or skilled career.

  • Motivated and open to mentoring a young person.

  • Able to provide a references and a Vulnerable Sector Check.

  • Able to make a six-month commitment and willing to complete all components of the program [includes training workshops and mentorship].

Mentor applications close on January 5th, 2024


How to Apply:

Complete the online application form. If you need assistance completing this form, or prefer to answer these questions in another format, please contact Drishti Patel via email, drishti@ywcastjohns.ca, OR call/text +1 (709) 771-3172.

NOTE: This program is open to ALL young women and gender diverse youth, regardless of immigration status (this includes temporary residents, international students, refugees, permanent residents, etc.). Applications are encouraged from all members of diverse and minority groups and from folks facing barriers to employment (including but not limited to folks who: live with disabilities, experience language barriers, are recent Im/Migrants, are currently enrolled in a post-secondary program).