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. A Professional Mentor also supports the Emerging Leader to plan and implement a mentorship project based on her learning goals and the unique network and environment of the mentor’s company.
Emerging Leaders will travel to the San Francisco Bay Area in late September 2019 and will be at their host company most weekdays between October 7-29, 2019.
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 one hour per workday with the Emerging Leader, providing professional guidance and supporting the implementation of her mentorship project. 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.
- In partnership with the Emerging Leader, develops a project for the Emerging Leader to execute during the mentorship. This project should:
- Be designed collaboratively by the mentor and Emerging Leader, keeping in mind the professional goals and objectives of the Emerging Leader and the mentorship timeframe.
- Foster networking within the mentor’s company and facilitate exposure to a vast network of professionals.
- Be planned prior to the Emerging Leader’s arrival in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Professional Mentors are required to attend an orientation webinar in August and are invited to a pre-program mentor networking event in September. Several exciting kickoff events with Emerging Leaders will be held in the first week of the program, which begins on September 28. Tentative event dates are provided to prospective mentors as part of the mentor application.
What support does TechWomen provide for a professional mentorship?
Emerging Leaders will receive support from TechWomen for visa sponsorship, background checks, health benefits and additional program-related costs, including airfare, housing and meals. Mentors and/or their companies are not responsible for arranging or providing the aforementioned items. If a company public transit pass or shuttle are not provided, Emerging Leaders will also receive a public transit stipend.
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.
