Next Cohort: October 2025 - March 2026

Apply by 11:59pm, September 26, 2025

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). Access to supportive, formal mentorship opportunities can provide the guidance youth need, helping them to find direction and work towards personal and professional goals.

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 30.


Application Status: Open!

Next Cohort: October 2025 - March 2026

 

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.

  • As part of a small, supportive peer cohort, participants strengthen their networks and build on key competencies. While workshops are tailored to each cohort, general topics will include:

    • Navigating mentor relationships

    • Career exploration

    • Resumes and cover letters

    • Interview skills

    • Job stress & mental health

    • Workers’ rights

    • Financial empowerment

    Workshops are delivered in-person at the YWCA office in downtown St. John’s.

  • Participants are matched with established professionals who provide individualized career guidance and mentorship over the course of the program. Mentors and mentees meet for approximately 3 hours/month.

    Each pair works collaboratively to draft a mentorship agreement, identifying their goals and expectations. Mentors and mentees receive joint and individual support from YWCA staff.

Eligibility Criteria

For Mentees:

  • Young women and gender-diverse youth (e.g. nonbinary, trans, 2S, genderfluid…)

  • Ages 18-30

  • Living in St. John’s metro area, NL

  • Motivated and open to learning from a mentor

  • Able to commit to the full 6-month CareerCompass program

  • We welcome people of any immigration status, including temporary residents

Mentee applications close at 11:59pm on September 26, 2025

For Mentors:

  • Women and/or gender-diverse professionals with capacity to support a young mentee with their career development

  • Living in the St. John’s metro area, NL

  • Motivated and open to mentoring a young person; willing to participate in training

  • Able to provide 2 references and a Vulnerable Sector Check

  • Able to commit to the full 6-month CareerCompass program

  • Mentors from previous cohorts are welcome to reapply!

Mentor applications will remain open until 11:59pm on September 26, 2025 or until all positions are filled.


Note: This program is open to ALL young women and gender diverse youth, regardless of immigration status.
YWCA St. John’s recognizes identities beyond the binary and welcomes applications from all members of diverse and minority groups (including, but not limited to, folks who: self-identify as Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, Im/Migrant, Refugee, living with disabilities, and/or more).

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 our Youth Programs Coordinator OR call +1 (709) 726-9922.

Funding Acknowledgement

YWCA St. John’s acknowledges the RBC Foundation for their continued support of YWCA’s youth programming.