Professional Mentorship (March 1- April 4)
The virtual professional mentorship is composed of three major components:
1. Regular virtual meetings with a mentor:
In March 2021, each Emerging Leader will be matched with a Professional Mentor or mentors who can help the Emerging Leader achieve one or more of her learning objectives. Each pair or small group will be provided guiding questions and suggested activities to support the Emerging Leader in fulfilling her goals. In addition to meeting virtually throughout the month of March, Professional Mentors will work closely with their Emerging Leader to curate a professional development experience during their tentative in-person capstone experience in the San Francisco Bay Area in October 2021.
TechWomen mentors are no longer required to be physically located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and mentors are not required to involve their companies formally. We do, however, hope that participating mentors and their organizations/affiliations support Emerging Leaders with opportunities to learn from a personalized experience with a company culture perspective.
2. Exposure to TechWomen partner companies through curated asynchronous learning opportunities:
Emerging Leaders are eager to learn how our partner companies drive development and innovate. Partner companies will have the opportunity to support Emerging Leaders by contributing to our virtual professional learning curriculum. Contributions can include (but are not limited to) recorded workshops from an industry expert, webinars and/or invitations to conferences and networking events. Please be in touch with Linda Miles at lmiles[at]iie[dot]org if you or your organization is interested in contributing to the professional mentorship curriculum.
3. Ongoing learning and in-person capstone experience
Each Emerging Leader will be provided with a Professional Development stipend. Supported by their Professional Mentor, Emerging Leaders will identify a conference, certificate course or other professional development opportunity that supports their learning objectives to be completed after the conclusion of the virtual professional mentorship period. We plan to bring the TechWomen 2020-2021 cohort to the San Francisco Bay Area in October 2021 for a weeklong program capstone. Although it is not a requirement for Professional Mentors to be physically located in the San Francisco Bay Area, mentors are expected to provide support to Emerging Leaders as they conclude their TechWomen experience with in-person activities that facilitate networking, cultural exchange and professional development.
TechWomen Professional Mentors
- Inspire emerging women leaders to become change agents in their communities
- Build relationships with professional women across the world
- Gain a cross-cultural perspective on your work
- Join a dynamic, supportive network of more than 800 Bay Area TechWomen mentor alumnae
- Give back and share your experiences with others
What is a Professional Mentor?
A Professional Mentor is a TechWomen volunteer who works closely with an Emerging Leader to help her grow and thrive professionally. Each mentor facilitates experiences that expose the Emerging Leader to an extensive professional network and inspire her with the energetic, innovative and risk-taking culture embodied by Silicon Valley and beyond. A Professional Mentor also supports the Emerging Leader in her professional learning goals and exposes her to the unique network and environment of the mentor’s company.
Emerging Leaders will work with Professional Mentors virtually in March 2021 and will travel to the San Francisco Bay Area in October 2021 for a capstone experience.
What will a Professional Mentor do?
A Professional Mentor:
- Enhances the Emerging Leader’s learning by facilitating time and contact with colleagues, subject matter experts and others in the mentor’s company and professional network.
- Spends an average of two hours per week with the Emerging Leader, providing professional guidance and supporting her learning goals. Past Emerging Leaders have noted that having extensive time with their Professional Mentors was critical to a successful mentorship experience. Successful mentors have been approachable, accessible and willing to dedicate time to supporting their Emerging Leader.
Professional Mentors are required to attend virtual trainings in February. Relevant dates are provided to prospective mentors as part of the mentor application.
Become a part of the TechWomen community!
TechWomen mentors describe the mentorship experience as an invaluable opportunity to join a vibrant, supportive and committed global community of women. Mentors share that supporting emerging women leaders in similar fields is a meaningful and mutually beneficial experience; Emerging Leaders bring new and exciting perspectives, inspiring Professional Mentors to grow, lead and learn.
Want to learn more about being a TechWomen mentor? Contact us here.
