If there’s one thing communications professionals understand deeply it’s the power of authentic, human connection. A single conversation can unlock clarity, confidence, or even a new career direction. That’s exactly why the IABC Calgary Mentorship Program has become one of our community’s most valued offerings: it gives comms pros at every stage a structured way to learn from one another, share experiences, and strengthen the fabric of our profession.
Last year’s cohort proved just how transformative that experience can be.
A Community That Opens Doors
(Photo: Rida Rehmani)
Last year, Rida was paired with Nika, a motivated and soon-to-be graduate of Mount Royal University. Nika demonstrated curiosity, drive, and a readiness to pose thoughtful questions, which Rida found invigorating.
“So many people took the time to sit down with me and tell me about Calgary and the comms world here,” she recalls. “I just really, really appreciated that.”
Fifteen years later, Rida is a mentor, driven by a desire to give back. “That experience stayed with me, and now I want to help others,” she says.
Mentorship as Mutual Learning
Rida’s match last year was Nika—a motivated soon-to-be graduate from Mount Royal University. Nika brought curiosity, ambition, and a willingness to ask bold questions. For Rida, that was energizing.
“Having a mentee who’s that engaged just makes it a lot easier,” she says. “You don’t even realize the wealth of experience you’ve gathered until you sit back and start sharing it.”
They discussed moving from co-op to full-time roles and dealing with setbacks. Rida helped Nika reframe challenges and look for new opportunities.
“I think I helped her realize that she might want to broaden her focus,” Rida says. “And now I see her on LinkedIn engaging with various companies that might be a good fit. That’s the ripple effect.”
But the learning wasn’t one-sided.
Working with a young communications professional reminded Rida of the importance of fearlessness—something she sees as a generational strength.
“They don’t let the moment pass,” she explains. “They’ll ask the question in the moment and not overthink it. I found that inspiring.”
Learning to Lead
Like many seasoned communicators, Rida currently leads through influence, not direct reports. Mentoring offered an unexpected benefit: a safe place to practice leadership skills she hopes to use in future management roles.
“For me, this was my first opportunity to manage ‘down,’” she says. “Giving constructive feedback, receiving feedback, coaching someone. Those are muscles you have to flex.”
Supporting Nika through job searches also expanded Rida’s awareness of her own professional network.
“It made me realize how broad my network actually is,” she says. “That was a great feeling.”
“Give It a Try. You’ll Surprise Yourself.”
Communications professionals may see mentorship as an added task amid busy schedules, organizational changes and leaner teams but Rida notes, “It’s a learning experience for both sides, and you get back what you give.”
And for those who think they may not be “experienced enough” to mentor?
“You’ll surprise yourself,” she insists. “It’s not about years. It’s about the experiences you can share. Sometimes, the most impactful thing you can offer is something personal like navigating a career transition or going on parental leave. It’s all valuable.”
Taking the Next Step
Whether you’re looking to build your leadership capabilities, expand your network or simply gain clarity in your next step IABC Calgary’s Mentorship Program can offer you a solid start.
This year’s cohort is now accepting applications for both mentors and mentees.
👉 Sign up today: https://iabccalgary.com/learn/mentorship-program
📩 Questions? Contact the Mentorship Committee: calgary-info@iabc.com
Invest in your growth. Invest in someone else’s. Join IABC today.
