Mentoring Program | ISPI - Potomac Chapter

Mentoring is a natural undertaking for Human Performance Technologists. Our senior chapter members possess stellar experience; others, great talent waiting to be developed. Our mentoring program fosters development of that talent at all levels and career points. Totally free, its flexibility in structure and formality allows a customized professional improvement experience. When you're ready to move your career ahead or to help someone else, our unique mentoring program is ready. Don't hesitate to talk to us about this powerful perk of being a Potomac Chapter member!

What is Mentoring?
The goal of our program is to improve professional capabilities. A mentors draw upon his or her experience to encourage, advise, and guide their mentor partner. A good match results in a mutually beneficial and rewarding one-on-one relationship that can last for years.

A Mutual Benefit

Develop a productive relationship with an experienced professional interested in you and your field
Learn to find and use opportunities to build skills
Identify short-, medium-, and long-term career development needs
Create a plan for developing your capabilities
Realize the value of networking
Build valuable resume experience by participating in the Mentor Advisory Committee

Make a difference in the life of a colleague and give back to our profession
Introduce and/or expand another professional's knowledge of HPT
Assist that person in identifying their potential and utilizing their strengths to better succeed
Refine your own skills while serving as an objective advisor, coach, and supporter
Identify potential talent for your organization and the profession
Improve the program by contributing to the Mentor Advisory Committee

How It Works
Those interested in finding a mentor complete an enrollment form indicating his/her primary area of professional interest. The Mentor Coordinator will match the mentor pairs based on professional goals, personalities, and shared interests. While not every pair is a strong match and participants are welcome to change, most find the relationship productive and the experience rewarding.

The mentoring program is flexible and each pair can agree to their own goals and plan for meeting them. For instance, busy professionals with multiple commitments may select a short-term goal to be completed in 30 days or less. For more substantial goals, we recommend a nine-month commitment over the course of a year (see the Sample Mentoring Program below).

Initially participants are introduced by our Mentor Coordinator at a designated ISPI Potomac Chapter meeting. The Coordinator is there to answer any questions and offer help as requested. Then the pair begins working together. For their first hour, discussion topics include: defining their relationship, setting personal goals, deciding how often to communicate, and choosing their means and best times for communication. At a minimum, mentor pairs should communicate once per month, preferably in person. Mentor pairs are strongly encouraged to conduct their monthly meetings in conjunction with our monthly ISPI Potomac Chapter meetings.

Sample Mentoring Program

First 3 Months
Second 3 Months
Final 3 Months

Getting Acquainted

Work Time

Evaluating and Planning

Goal

Mentor pairs establish personalized development goals and create a short-term action plan to start working toward meeting those goals.

The mentored professional works independently on the established action plan, calling on the
mentor for support as needed.

Mentor pairs resume once per month
communication to follow up on the mentored professional’s progress and
establish next steps.

Meeting
Many find it convenient to meet for three consecutive months in the hour before our monthy program begins. This also meets the activity requirement for both.

Progress is enhanced with regularly scheduled weekly phone calls, lunches, and/or meetings. A one-hour limit is suggested. Living up to this commitment is important.

Looking at how the goals set and progress worked out, outlining a five-year plan identifying educational goals and thinking about recognizing and assesing future advancement opportunities are potential topics.

Benefit to
Mentor Match

Make career development an explicit part of your life.

Set and achieve your personal development goals.
Gain a more sophisticated understanding of yourself and what you need to do and can do to increase your career success.

Benefit to Mentor

Take time to give another the benefit of your wisdom.

Provide guidance and support to someone working to better him- or herself.
Aid a fellow professional in becoming a more knowledgeable, capable professional with intentionality in their career and personal development.

Sample Mentoring Program
First 3 Months    Second 3 Months    Final 3 Months
Getting Acquainted    Work Time    Evaluating and Planning
Goal    Mentor pairs establish personalized development goals and create an action plan for achieving and evaluating those goals.    The mentored professional works independently on the established action plan, calling on the mentor for support as needed.    Mentor pairs follow up on the mentored professional’s progress and establish their next steps.
Meeting    Many find it convenient to meet for three consecutive months in the hour before our monthly programs start. This also meets the activity requirement for both partners.    Progress is enhanced with regularly scheduled weekly phone calls, lunches, and/or meetings. A 1-hr. limit is suggested. Living up to this commitment is important.    Looking at how the goals set and progress made worked out, outlining a 5-year plan identifying educational goals, & thinking about recognizing and assessing future advancement opportunities are potential topics.
Benefit to Mentor Match    Make career development an explicit part of your life.    Set and achieve your personal development goals.    Gain a more sophisticated understanding of yourself and what you need to do and can do to increase your career success.
Benefit to
Mentor    Take time to give another the benefit of your wisdom.    Provide guidance and support to someone working to better him- or herself. Increase the strength of our profession.    Aid a fellow professional in becoming more knowledgeable, capable, and intentional in their career and personal development.
2/14/09

Mentored professionals are asked to submit a monthly journal outlining their month-by-month progress, and mentors to submit a brief progress report and observations on his/her experience. After the mentoring period is complete, mentor pairs are encouraged to continue their partnership informally. Both are invited to join the Mentor Advisory Committee to help coordinate and improve the program in following years.

Eligibility

Attend one ISPI Potomac Chapter meeting prior to applying for the program
Be a current ISPI Potomac Chapter member
Commit to attending three ISPI Potomac Chapter meetings during the year
Commit to the Mentoring Program for a year
Complete a Mentoring Program Application including a description of career achievements

Be an active member of the ISPI Potomac Chapter
Be a current or retired HPT practitioner
Actively participate in and support chapter events
Commit to the Mentoring Program for a year
Complete a Mentoring Program Application including a biographical statement

Mentor Pair Activities May Include

A day of shadowing mentor in a work-related setting
Lunch with mentor (and other HPT professionals, if appropriate) to discuss everyday challenges practitioners encounter in their work
Attending a training program with mentor
Reviewing proper business and telephone etiquette and corporate protocols
Accompanying mentor to other professional meetings
Discussing typical clients, projects, and steps taken to complete assignments
Observing and/or assisting with a special project, if appropriate
Coaching on resume construction, job searching, and interviewing skills

For more information, contact Sandy Henderson at sandyhendersondc@cox.net.