CNC launches entrepreneur mentorship program to connect students with real-world business experience

“It’s going to be able to tie the students’ theoretical learning and the Business Administration program, which is launching as a new, revised program this year itself,” Male said.

The program marks a new chapter for CNC’s business students, providing direct access to entrepreneurs who have first-hand experience navigating the realities of business ownership.

Serving as the program’s inaugural mentor is Mary Mytting, executive director of the Northern Innovation Network. Mytting brings decades of entrepreneurial experience to the role, including launching and operating businesses of her own and founding a charity in South Africa that continues to operate today.

“I’ve owned two of my own businesses. I started a charity in South Africa and it’s still running today,” said Mytting. “So I’ve knocked my head a few times and I’ve done a few wrong things.”

Those successes and setbacks, she says, are precisely the lessons she hopes to share with students considering entrepreneurship as a career path.

The mentorship program will offer more than traditional one-on-one guidance. Students will have access to individualized mentoring sessions, workshops and classroom engagement opportunities, as well as applied and work-integrated learning experiences designed to expose them to real-world business challenges.

For students who may already be contemplating launching a business, Mytting believes having access to an experienced mentor can help transform an idea into a viable plan.

“If they have a thought that they want to start a business, then I’ll be there to sort of guide them through it,” she said.

While the initial focus will be on students enrolled in the Business Administration Program, CNC officials say the benefits of entrepreneurial thinking extend far beyond business classrooms.

Students from Health Sciences, Human Services, Trades, Applied Arts and Technology programs will also be able to participate, reflecting the growing importance of innovation and entrepreneurship across disciplines.

Male said the mentorship model is flexible enough to support students regardless of their area of study.

“We see great relevance to the entrepreneurial future of trades and technologies and for applied arts students,” she said.

The approach recognizes that entrepreneurship is no longer confined to traditional business sectors. Trades professionals may choose to establish their own companies, healthcare graduates may identify opportunities to improve service delivery, and technology students may develop innovative products or solutions.

By exposing students to entrepreneurial thinking early in their academic careers, CNC hopes to help graduates develop skills that can benefit them whether they decide to launch a business, join an organization or lead projects within their chosen professions.

The program also aligns with broader efforts to support economic development and innovation in northern British Columbia. Through mentorship and practical learning opportunities, students will gain access to networks and insights that can be difficult to obtain through classroom instruction alone.

For Mytting, mentorship is about helping students avoid common pitfalls while encouraging them to pursue ambitious goals.

Entrepreneurship often involves taking risks, learning from mistakes and adapting to changing circumstances. Having someone available to share those experiences can make the journey less intimidating for aspiring business owners.

As campus activity ramps up for the start of the academic year, CNC officials are optimistic the program will provide students with valuable connections that extend beyond graduation.

The college is also looking to grow the initiative and is encouraging additional entrepreneurs and business leaders to become involved as mentors.

By expanding the network of experienced advisors, CNC hopes to create more opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge, build professional relationships and explore entrepreneurial careers.

With classes set to begin and a newly revamped Business Administration Program getting underway, the Entrepreneur Mentorship Program represents a new opportunity for students to combine academic learning with real-world guidance from those who have already travelled the entrepreneurial path.

by Cheryl Jahn

CNC launches entrepreneur mentorship program to connect students with real-world business experience

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