Sometimes, the most meaningful connections begin in the simplest ways.
For Selena and I, it started with two cups of matcha and a pistachio lava bun. Looking back, I never would have guessed that one afternoon at a bakery in Uptown Waterloo would become one of the most meaningful parts of my School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) Fellowship Program experience. What started as a mentor-mentee meeting quickly became a friendship built on encouragement, shared experiences and conversations that always seemed to leave me feeling a little more confident than before.
Although Selena and I first crossed paths while serving on the executive team for the University of Waterloo Accounting Conference (UWAC), our mentor-mentee relationship officially began at LÀ LÁ Bakeshop. Between pastries, drinks and lots of conversation, we quickly discovered how much we had in common. Because we had already met through UWAC, the pressure of getting to know a complete stranger was gone. Instead, our conversations flowed naturally, ranging from classes and co-ops to UWAC, career goals and life outside of university. Looking back, I’m grateful that UWAC brought us together because it made this opportunity feel even more special.
Like most Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) students, we’re both busy balancing classes, extracurriculars and everything else that comes with university life. Even with our busy schedules, we’ve found a rhythm that works well for both of us. We stay connected through text whenever questions come up, whether it’s about courses or just general life advice, and we make an effort to meet in person whenever our schedules line up. Our second meeting took us to Midnight Run Café, and true to form, matcha was once again on the table. The flexibility of the mentorship program has made it easy to build a relationship that fits naturally into both of our lives.
The most rewarding part of this experience has been realizing that I don’t have to navigate university alone. It’s easy to feel like everyone else has everything figured out, but hearing Selena share her own experiences has reminded me that many of the challenges I’m facing are completely normal. Whether she’s offering advice about co-op, sharing tips for school or simply reminding me to trust myself, she’s always been incredibly supportive. One thing I’ve especially appreciated is how genuinely willing she is to help. No matter how small my questions are, she always takes the time to listen, offer thoughtful advice and encourages me to believe in myself. Knowing that there’s someone in my corner cheering me on has made a bigger difference than I ever expected.
When I joined the SAF Fellowship Program, I hoped to find someone with similar career interests whom I could genuinely connect with. I wanted a mentor I could learn from while also building a meaningful friendship, and Selena has exceeded every expectation I had. Beyond the practical advice, I’ve also developed the confidence to reach out, ask questions and be honest about my goals. More importantly, I’ve learned that mentorship is about so much more than networking or career development. It’s about finding someone who supports your growth, celebrates your successes, and reminds you that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
If I could give one piece of advice to future mentees, it would be this: take the initiative. Send the first message, ask the questions you’ve been wondering about and take the time to get to know your mentor beyond academics. The best mentorships aren’t just about academics – they're about building genuine connections. Sometimes, all it takes is a matcha latte, a pistachio lava bun and an open mind to find not only a mentor, but someone you’ll be grateful to have met long after the program ends.
