Mentor Program

As a part of the WICT Network New England Mentoring Program, mentors will receive information on effective mentoring styles, active listening techniques, setting mentoring objectives, giving and receiving feedback and avoiding typical mentoring pitfalls. You will be able to utilize these skill sets back in your office.

In addition, mentors will also participate in discussions with key executives in other companies about effective and ineffective mentoring experiences and techniques. They will build stronger communication skills and obtain fresh perspectives others outside of their organizations – individuals who can more effectively communicate their insights, issues and concerns because they are outside the mentor’s organization.

Protégé’s may be able to refer qualified job candidates, introduce the mentor to other professionals in the field, provide access to key leaders in other companies and expand the mentor’s sphere of influence.

As a mentor, you’ll gain experience listening, offering feedback and providing constructive criticism in a safe, risk-free environment. Although you already have these skills, it is beneficial to continuously improve them.

You may find your protégé’s offer a fresh perspective on issues affecting your industry and your workplace. They can provide insight into how people at a lower level in the organization are feeling and the types of challenges they face. Awareness in this area can make you a more effective leader.

Mentors are in an extremely influential position. Your protégé’s success, in many ways, will be a direct result of the tutelage you provide. They will seek out your advice in difficult situations. You will provide constructive criticism, encouragement, a sympathetic ear, handholding, and lots of options. You will draw on your past experiences and remember what it was like to be in similar situations. More effective female leaders will result from your guidance and wisdom.

If your company is a government contractor or sub-contractor with an Affirmative Action Plan, you must undertake and report on good faith efforts on an annual basis (please talk to your Human Resources department for details). Good faith efforts are activities undertaken by a covered employer to overcome its under-utilization of females or minorities in certain job classifications. It is very likely that the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs may view participation in this program as a good faith effort.

The success of the program is highly dependent upon your leadership and participation. More than any other component, the protégé’s perception of the program’s value is based upon the relationship they have with you as their mentor. You are the program’s most valuable asset. Specifically your role is to:

• Set goals and expectations of the partnership. This should include scheduling meetings that are held every four to six weeks. When these meetings are cancelled or not scheduled, the protégé’s perception of the value of the program goes down dramatically. Often mentors will suggest meetings that coincide with The WICT Network events.
• Be responsible for urging your protégé’ to attend all of the program offerings through The WICT Network New England. 
• Be available for ad-hoc discussions/meetings one-on-one. Some of our best mentors put a memo in his/her file to reach out individually to their protégé at least once every three weeks via email or phone. This contact lets the protégé know that you are thinking of them and it opens the door to conversation.