Mentoring Program Details

2011 Mentoring Program - applications closed

On this page:

	What is mentoring?
	What are the benefits of mentoring?

	What is expected from the parties in mentoring?
	How to apply

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a process where an experienced person (Mentor) provides advice, support, and encouragement to a less experienced person (Mentee) in a protected, non-judgmental relationship, which facilitates a wide range of learning, experimentation, and personal development.

Mentors help Mentees help themselves. The aim of a Mentor is to help Mentees discover answers to their own questions by providing pathways, insights and resources to further knowledge and understanding. For businesses, it’s a crucial strategy for transferring wisdom and growing talent in every area of the company and provides a basis for business growth.

What are the benefits of mentoring?

Our Mentors say they benefit because they:

	Gain a great sense of satisfaction seeing their mentee grow and develop
	Share wisdom, knowledge and understanding (often improving their own understanding)
	Articulate and share valued Technical and Professional skills
	Build key skills such as feedback and basic coaching skills such as effective questioning, active listening, reflecting, influencing, and general communication (useful for leadership positions)
	Build their collaborative problem solving skills
	Improve their self awareness and identify areas for their own development
	Gain a broader perspective by learning about other organisations and their cultures
	Network with peers/other senior women
	This is what three of our mentors had to say: “I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much, thought it would take much more time than it did! It was easy to fit it into my life (after we scheduled the meetings), thought there would be more pressure. My mentee was very responsible so it made my part in things really interesting”. “I was blown away by the degree of commitment and enthusiasm of my mentee. She was inspiring!” “The program is excellent, well structured, well managed and a pleasure to be involved in. The matching process worked fantastically for us”. “It is a great program...great support and structure, great mentees and a fabulous opportunity to meet and network with a great range of women in IT.”

Our Mentees say they benefit because they:

	Develop technical and professional skills, knowledge and understanding
	Develop self-esteem, self-confidence and self-reliance
	Gain better insight into work situations such as organisational politics
	Strengthen skills such as time management, conflict management and influencing
	Gain a greater understanding of career options and paths
	Gain valuable feedback and different perspectives
	Gain a support system and a trusted advisor
	Gain an independent sounding board (all mentees found this invaluable)
	Gain a much broader perspective of the ICT industry
	Meet and network with a wide range of women in ICT
	Here’s what some of our mentees said: “Having business advice helped me achieve my goal of gaining a promotion. Initially I did not have much industry knowledge. The mentoring relationship was a safe relationship to ask questions, explore ideas and gain information. The Self Development day was MIND BLOWING! It’s given me a way to look beyond my current role and see a career path. It has given me something to engage my own management about my career path within my organisation. And, I gained a great deal of confidence along the way.” “The value I gained was having an avenue for finding a mentor; Having someone outside my company as a mentor”. “This program is excellent... I have gained confidence and growth in my interpersonal skills and professional sociability in the workplace. A greater understanding of myself, and my interactions in meetings and conversation. I am also well equipped to start out in the workplace next year, and to build on and achieve my personal and professional goals”.

What are the types of things that a Mentor could help with?

If you are new to a role or recently promoted, or you are having a skills challenge, a Mentor can help you gain your confidence and quicken your learning curve. A Mentor is a confidential, impartial sounding board. Mentors can role model or role play new skills and behaviours to assist your learning if appropriate.

A Mentor also helps you to gain broader business and industry knowledge. Mentors can assist you with your career path planning, helping you to consider where you are going with your career and identifying your potential. A Mentor will help you to realistically assess your strengths and weaknesses, help you identify possible opportunities and alternative pathways. Your Mentor may also introduce you to people in their network.

Some of the typical things a mentor can assist with are:

	Managing conflict
	Understanding a career path for you
	Developing technical competencies
	Managing projects
	Managing time
	Balancing work/life priorities
	Effective communication
	Strategic skills
	Business writing
	Understanding marketing

	Changing careers
	Giving presentations
	Motivating people
	Managing People
	Team building
	Negotiating
	Developing influencing skills
	Business planning
	Understanding sales
	Managing clients/customers

You are never too old or experienced to learn something new and develop new relationships!

What is expected from the parties in mentoring?

Mentors

	Must meet the eligibility requirement (ideally 10+ years ICT experience or experience within a given career path)
	Submit a completed Mentor Application Form by 31 March 2011
	Be committed to assisting another FITT member achieve their goals
	Be able and prepared to share knowledge and experience with a mentee
	Commit to a minimum of a six month mentoring relationship (via mentoring contract), including a monthly one-on-one meeting
	Commit to attending four workshops (these are compulsory): 1. Program Launch: Monday 16 May 2011 5:30-9:00pm 2. Mentor Training: Monday 23 May 2011 4:00-9:00pm 3. Mid program review: Wednesday 14 September 2011 6:30-7:30pm 4. Wrap up/celebration: Monday 28 November 2011 6:00-9:00pm
	We also encourage mentors to accompany their mentee to the Self Development Day on Saturday 28 May 2011 8:30-6:00pm, although this is not compulsory. Mentors are offered the workshop at a discounted rate of $295 including GST.

Mentees

	Commit to a minimum of a six month mentoring relationship (via mentoring contract), including monthly one-on-one meetings and undertake agreed actions
	Must be prepared to travel to meet Mentor for mentoring sessions and take ownership of arranging meetings, time and location, ensuring your mentors expectations are met
	Be prepared and open to receiving insight and feedback about yourself
	Submit the Mentee Application Form by 31 March 2011
	If you are accepted into the program after applying by 28 February 2011, there will be an earlybird registration fee of $795 including GST. Applying after 28 February means the registration fee is $895. There are no refunds. This investment includes a place at the Self Development Workshop, during which you gain insights into your working style.
	Commit to attend four workshops (these are compulsory): 1. Program Launch: Monday 16 May 2011 5:30-9:00pm 2. Self Development Workshop: Saturday 28 May 2011 8:30-6:00pm 3. Mid program review: Tuesday 13 September 2011 6:30-7:30pm 4. Wrap up/celebration: Monday 28 November 2011 6:00-9:00pm.

Application Process (Applications now closed for 2011)

So how do I find out more and apply?

	Download brochure for the program overview and the relevant application form, which contains process information, dates and questions.
	If you are applying to be a MENTOR, complete this form
	If you are applying to be a MENTEE, complete this form
	Email mentoring@fitt.org.au to ask questions.
	Watch YouTube Videos: FITT Mentoring Program Highlights FITT Mentors have their say FITT Mentees have their say
	Complete the relevant application form and return by 31 March 2011 and email it together with an up-to-date copy of your Resume to mentoring@fitt.org.au.
	You will be contacted within 2 weeks of your application to arrange a confidential application review interview. This will take approximately 30 minutes and will be done over the phone or Skype. If you are accepted into the program you will be notified by 20 April 2011.
	If you are a mentee and you are invited into the program, you will go online to register and pay by Credit Card only by 29 April 2011. If you are a mentor, you will register online for the Mentors Workshop.

Page last updated 11 April, 2011

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