Client Overview
The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is the second-largest division of the University of Toronto, serving over 14,000 undergraduate and 904 graduate students. The Master of Management of Innovation (MMI) Program, offered by the Institute for Management and Innovation at UTM, provides a 12-month professional Master’s degree tailored for individuals with backgrounds in science, engineering, or technology. Developed in consultation with industry leaders, this accelerated program equips graduates for management careers in technology-focused organizations.
Engagement 1:
Challenge
The MMI department was seeking a speaker for their graduate student orientation to highlight the importance of soft skills, relationships, coachability, and staying focused as essential components of career readiness and success.
SkillsCamp Solution
SkillsCamp crafted and delivered a custom session titled “The Hard Thing About Soft Skills” for 27 graduate students at the MMI orientation. The session covered:
- Skills for success in the modern workplace
- Strategies for building rapport and relationships
- Techniques for receiving and implementing feedback
- Time, energy, and attention management strategies to enhance focus on goals
Results
Participants described the session as easy, fun, and engaging, largely due to the facilitator’s warm and inviting demeanour. The use of interactive activities, such as Lego, effectively fostered a comfortable environment among participants. Key outcomes included:
- The two-hour session was engaging and felt seamless.
- Students made meaningful connections between the significance of soft skills and their personal development goals within the MMI program.
- A vibrant energy in the room highlighted the ongoing importance of soft skills development, making the experience truly impactful.
Engagement 2:
Challenge
Building on the success of the previous year, the MMI department aimed to further enhance student engagement by focusing on personal accountability and its connection to soft skills, as well as the positive outcomes stemming from students’ efforts and relationships. They expressed interest in a program similar to the previous year’s session, with an increased emphasis on accountability.
SkillsCamp Solution
SkillsCamp thoughtfully updated the previous year’s session to include a dedicated section on personal and team accountability. This enhancement aimed to deepen students’ awareness of the critical soft skills needed for success in the evolving workplace.
Results
Students enthusiastically engaged with the interactive talk, sharing with UTM that the messages about listening, authenticity, and leveraging soft skills inspired them to reconsider their approach to professional development. Key results included:
- Heightened student engagement and receptiveness to the session content.
- Positive feedback from UTM underscored satisfaction with the session’s impact on student development and accountability.
Testimonials
Ella is extremely engaging and her positive energy is contagious! She did an absolutely wonderful job and I definitely enjoyed her workshop.
– MMI Participant
Interactive activities were great, my students really enjoyed using the Lego and getting to know each other during the session.
– MMI Event Organizer
