Next Cohort: September 2026 - March 2027

What is Career Compass?

Career Compass is a 6-month career exploration and mentorship program developed by YWCA St. John’s for young women and gender-diverse youth between ages 18 and 30. The goal of this program is to build confidence, find direction, and learn (or strengthen) job skills through hands-on activities and games. Participants connect with peers and professional mentors through weekly meet-ups and workshops. Career Compass includes a completion bonus and a certificate at the end of the program.

Next Cohort Starts: September 29, 2026

 

Youth (Mentee) Eligibility

  • 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 peers and mentors

  • Open to attending the full 6-month Career Compass program

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

Youth (mentee) application

Mentee intake calls will begin on September 15, 2026.
Program activities start September 29, 2026.

Mentor Eligibility

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

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

  • Motivated and open to mentoring young people

  • Available to participate in training (dates TBA) and stay engaged through the 6-month program duration

  • Able to provide 2 references and a Vulnerable Sector Check

  • Mentors from previous cohorts are welcome to reapply!

mentor application Coming soon

Mentor applications will remain open until October 1, 2026 or until all positions are filled.

Accessibility

Like all YWCA St. John’s programs, participation in Career Compass is 100% free. The program includes a completion bonus for mentees and a certificate at the end of the program. Transportation support may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Weekly cohort meetings and workshops will be held in-person at the YWCA office in downtown St. John's, NL. The office can be reached by stairs or elevator, and includes accessible and single-user washrooms. Our facilitators are fluent in English. We welcome English language learners and multilingual participants.

Questions? Contact Youth Programs Coordinator Elijah Martel
Email: elijah@ywcastjohns.ca Phone: (709) 771-3172

About Career Compass

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, structured 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 young women and gender diverse youth have supportive environments to build confidence, navigate mental health challenges, and explore meaningful career paths. Career Compass connects youth with peer connection, group mentorship, and skill-building workshops. Program content includes hands-on activities and games, training opportunities, and discussion-based learning. Grounded in frameworks of intersectional gender equity, social justice, and strengths-based approaches, Career Compass is a career exploration, readiness, and mentorship program developed by YWCA for young women and gender-diverse youth between ages 18 and 30.

Funding Acknowledgement

YWCA St. John’s acknowledges the support of Co-operators Community Funds. We also acknowledge the RBC Foundation for their continued support of YWCA’s youth programming.