What inspired a young woman from Sekondi, Ghana to start a non-profit mentorship organization? We find out in this micro-interview with I Too Can’s founder, Ida-Maisie Famiyeh.
Q: Ida, you were inspired to create I Too Can based on the important role that mentorship played in your own journey. What did the mentorship you experienced from your sister look like and what did it entail?
We often think of mentorship as a formalized process, where you engage with professionals in your field or interest area. However, my early exposure to mentorship was anything but formal.
When my family and I moved to Canada, we did not have a lot of networks to help us navigate the system. My sister, Fidelia, was the first to attend university and she had to figure a lot of things out on her own. So, her mentorship was based mostly on her lived experience. Our mentorship relationship evolved organically; there were no scheduled sessions or structured programming. Her mentorship was in the form of “big sister” support, 1-on-1 coaching, sharing stories from her experience, a resource connector, and cheerleader. She understood my vision of wanting to become a healthcare professional and took on the responsibility of guiding me through the process.
Our mentorship relationship was built on trust and shared principles. I always revered her feedback, even the critical pieces, because I trusted that it was coming from a place of love. It facilitated my growth and successful pursuit of pharmacy.
Q: Why do you think mentorship is so powerful (and critical) for young people chasing their academic dreams?
I think about the saying: “there is nothing new under the sun”. Whatever academic or career goal one might have, I believe that there is someone who has and has achieved a similar goal. I believe that mentorship is one of the most powerful tools to bridge the gap between envisioned and actualized dreams. Though there are unique paths to achieve goals and aspirations, there are also commonalities.
Through mentorship, one could acquire the knowledge, skills, and inspiration necessary to achieve those goals. Mentees could learn from the experience of those who have gone through the process they are aspiring to embark on, and use the lessons learned to guide their path.
Mentorship also creates a sense of belonging. Personally, I started believing that my dreams were valid when I started to see people who looked like me, or had a story similar to mine, live those dreams. Mentorship empowered and emboldened me to take the steps necessary to make my dream a reality. Through mentorship, I have developed long-standing friendships and have expanded my networks, which ultimately have increased my access to career resources and opportunities.
Q: What advice or encouragement would you offer to students who haven’t had a mentor before, but who are contemplating applying to participate in I Too Can?
I would encourage students who are looking to apply to a Canadian medical or pharmacy school in the upcoming year, to apply to I Too Can. The program follows a group mentorship model, where up to 5 students (with a common goal) are assigned to 2 mentors. This creates an opportunity for peer support and a sense of community. Students in each cohort group receive guidance with every step of their application process. Mentors also share stories of their journey, including the challenges they encountered and helpful resources they received. The program aims to increase mentees’ chances of getting into professional programs, and we have the tools and resources in place to make that happen!
For students who are undecided about their professional path (i.e. not applying to a professional program in the next year), I would encourage them to sign up for the I Too Can newsletter. This provides them with access to our interviews with professionals, comprehensive skills workshops, and tools and resources that could help them with their path.