"Theresa,
I got a referral from you last week and I've had a couple other people tell me you referred them to me. I just wanted to say thank you for that. Its very helpful in my line of work and I do appreciate you taking the time to give my name and contact details to people." Lisa Zeller, Spherion Recuiter.
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mentoring
The Mentoring Program matches experienced professionals ("mentors") with practitioners, newcomers to the field, students, and anyone interested in being mentored ("protégés").
Mentor
Job Summary: Serve as an advisor, guide, tutor, teacher, support person. Teach fellow professionals in need of mentoring or students how to achieve goals, build relationships, and develop confidence. Provide encouragement and support thus creating a positive life change.
Length of Involvement: Whatever you and your protégé decide
Time Commitment: At least one hour per month or whatever you and your protégé decide
Responsibilities:
- Attending DE meetings with the person to be mentored
- Enriching your protégé professionally and personally through one-on-one interaction, phone or email
- Talking with other DE mentors to get ideas
- Bringing your experience to the table, helping your protégé learn
What to avoid
- Personal counseling
- Fixing all your protégé’s problems for her (she needs to learn to gather their resources and solve problems – guide and teach rather than fix)
- Making promises you can’t fulfill
Next steps:
Frequently asked questions
What is mentoring?
According to the National Mentoring Working Group, a responsible mentoring program:
- Is a structured, one-to-one relationship or partnership that focuses on the needs of the mentored participant. Fosters caring and supportive relationships. Encourages individuals to develop to their fullest potential. Helps an individual to develop a personal vision for the future.
- Is a strategy to develop active community partnerships
- The national mentoring partnership also describes a mentor as a guide, a friend, a listener, and a coach.
Who's eligible for the mentoring program?
Any member of DE may sign up for a mentor. While the traditional mentoring relationship is of a more experienced career professional with an entry-level person, the nature of this rapidly changing and growing industry makes it appropriate for people of any age to work with a mentor (in some cases, the mentor may be younger than the protégé). Mentors should have several years experience in a given field e.g., a mentor in Internet design should have several years experience working as an Internet designer.
Who needs a mentor?
We all do! We all have skills and talents that we've developed and use in our every day lives, but we all have things we need and want to learn from others with more experience. A mentor can help develop specific skills ranging from the technical to management to personal development. Having a mentor can be an invaluable experience in growing a career.
Why should I be a mentor?
While mentoring doesn't take a lot of time, it can make a huge difference not only for the person being mentored, but for the mentor. Chances are that you didn't get where you are in your career without help-managers, colleagues, friends, parents, and coaches have mentored you in many ways-answering questions, giving advice, acting as a sounding board, proofreading your resume, practicing interviewing, etc. Being a mentor allows you to give back to the professional community by helping others as you've been helped. Interestingly, though, being a mentor helps you further develop your own skills. It often forces you to think about why things work the way they work, and stimulates creative ideas on how to do things better. Your protégé will stimulate your mind, and often can give you a fresh perspective on an old situation.
How can a mentor help?
Mentors typically answer general questions about preparation for working in an industry, the work environment, and how to handle various situations the protégé may encounter. Mentors can also help their protégé prepare for job interviews, resume writing, etc., by posing questions or sharing information on what they would look for in hiring someone for the position the protégé seeks. Mentors also share their professional experiences and offer guidance.
How long will the mentor be available once assigned?
The mentor relationship should last for an initial term of one year. After that period, mentor and protégé may decide to continue the relationship or work with others.
Next steps:
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