LFS Mentorship

The longest running program of its kind at UBC, the LFS Mentorship Program uses an asset-based community development model to deliver excellence in career development to current LFS students.

By connecting LFS students with LFS alumni and other working professionals, our mentees gain insights into their career options and learn new approaches to more effectively transition into the world of work. Students have the chance to meet with a variety of mentors from diverse fields of work including the public, private and non-profit sectors as well as entrepreneurs. Our mentors contribute to the success of our student body by sharing their experience, providing important guidance and connecting students to field-specific resources and information.

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We strive to provide a mutually beneficial, reciprocal service to our mentors and mentees and hope to inspire new ideas and opportunities for all participants. Our program is delivered collaboratively between the LFS Career Strategist, LFS Alumni Manager and LFS Student Engagement Officer, with support from student staff. This unique model enables our mentors and mentees to access opportunities for professional development, networking and community building through webinars, events and support to ensure their success within and beyond the program.

More insight on LFS Mentorship

  • Read how the LFS Mentorship Program connects students with working professionals: link.
  • Listen to the ways the LFS Mentorship Program can support you in networking and the benefits it can have for your career journey: link.

If you are interested in learning more about the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) Mentorship Program, please email us at lfs.mentorship@ubc.ca.  

Alumni Careers

Mariel Dela Cruz

Mariel Dela Cruz

Food, Nutrition & Health major (2022)

In first-year, Mariel thought she was going to be a Veterinarian. She now works as a Communications Coordinator.

How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?

The LFS Academic Career and Engagement (ACE) team provided me with a lot of transferable skills like teamwork, organization, time management, and problem solving! I was also in the LFS Mentorship Program where I met a lot of inspiring mentors. Being involved has helped me explore my interests and be open to different careers.

 

Marissa Gibbard

Marissa Gibbard

Food, Nutrition & Health major (2018)

In first-year, Marissa thought she was going to be a teacher. She now works as a research manager in healthcare.

How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?

Having the opportunity in my undergraduate degree to solve problems with other people in a supportive environment gave me the foundation and real world skills to apply and succeed in my current role.

 

tiffany tchen

Tiffany Tchen

Food, Nutrition & Health major, Commerce minor (2017)

In first-year, Tiffany thought she was going to be an Ultrasound Technician. She now works as a Campus Recruitment Associate.

How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?

I was on the LFS|US First Year Committee and continued as an AMS Representative. This was my first community involvement on campus and it empowered me to improve my leadership, communication and collaboration skills, which set me up for success when I was applying for my first full-time job after graduation.

 

brenda yim

Brenda Yim

Food Market Analysis major, Master of Management (2021)

In first-year, Brenda thought she was going to be a Supply Chain Associate. She now works as a Sr. Marketing Account Coordinator and Food Content Creator.

How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?

My Work Learn role, specifically with the LFS Mentorship Program, has helped me grasp the 4 P’s of marketing. I contacted alumni and current students to learn about their unmet needs before graduating and created a mini-marketing strategy to communicate the program’s benefits to the students.

 

dave eto

Dave Eto

Food Science major (1985)

In first-year, Dave thought he was going to work in food processing. He now works as a CEO.

How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?

In my last year in Food Science, everyone took an AgSc 401 course which involved all graduating Agriculture students going on a week-long field trip together. The connections and relationships we built during school carried over into our professional careers and created strong relationships and opportunities that have continued.

 

hannah phua

Hannah Phua

Food Science major (2021)

In first-year, Hannah thought she was going to be a Dietitian. She now works as a Research and Development Technologist.

How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?

My undergraduate thesis (FNH499) gave me the opportunity to develop technical skills such as building experimental designs, performing data analysis and presenting scientific results as well as soft skills such as gaining confidence in independently completing projects and managing timelines and associated deliverables.

 
majid hajibeigy

Majid Hajibeigy

Food and Environment major (2018)

In first-year, Majid thought he was going to be a veterinarian. He now works as a CEO of a Kelp Farming business.

How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?

So many key mentors such as Dr. Sean Smukler, Dr. Andrew Riseman, and Dr. David Fraser stood out for me. Learning from others is great for your career, which is why I’ve been a mentor for the LFS Mentorship Program in the past.

 

Viviane Franson

Viviane Franson

Food, Nutrition, and Health major (2010)

In first-year, Viviane thought she was going to be a teacher. She now works as a Clinical Manager in Infection Prevention and Control.

How did your experiences in LFS shape your career?

Working on projects from the LFS core series (LFS 350) gave me the opportunity to develop skills in the classroom before starting my career after graduation.