The U of T’s Ten Thousand Coffees Initiative and more

By admin, October 5, 2024

It was a delightful surprise to be invited to participate in the Ten Thousand Coffees initiative while working towards an Artificial Intelligence Certificate at the University of Toronto between 2018 and 2019.

The Ten Thousand Coffees initiative is a unique networking and mentorship platform that connects students, recent graduates, and alumni with industry professionals. By fostering one-on-one connections, it offers participants the opportunity to engage in meaningful “coffee chats,” both in person and virtually, to discuss career paths, develop skills, and expand their professional networks. These informal conversations are a valuable way to explore career options and receive guidance from experienced mentors, all within a supportive, collaborative environment.

As someone who naturally enjoys connecting, supporting, and mentoring others, the initiative felt like a perfect fit for me. I engaged in it between 2019 and 2021. Throughout the program, I had the privilege of meeting a diverse array of individuals—from PhD students to seasoned professionals. These interactions were enriching, both personally and professionally.

Then, from one-on-one, it became, through the time, in a group of seasoned professionals and students that shared experience in topics related to software engineering and systems architecture. It was a rewarding experience. Some professionals were advised and obtained good outcomes of it.

Another couple of professionals, in particular, generously shared their expertise in analytics and career development. More than once, I found myself fascinated by the research areas shared by PhD candidates – fields I had not previously explored.

Some of us even explored possibilities and partnership with companies supported by DMZ. The DMZ is a Toronto-based incubator and accelerator that helps tech startups scale by providing access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, with a focus on fostering high-growth companies and innovative entrepreneurs in the tech industry. It has consistently been ranked as one of the top university-affiliated incubators globally, supporting startups through various stages of development.

What I did not expect was the official certificate I received, which symbolized not ten thousand, but certainly dozens of coffees shared along the way – each one having an important role in both to my own personal and professional growth, as well as of others.