-
-
Everything you may need to know about the Young Business Professionals Mentorship Program is contained in the dropdowns below!
-
What are the important dates for the next intake?
- January 29, 2024 – Registration closes
-
February 1, 2024 – Provide mentors and mentees with their pairings
-
February 1, 2024 – Program meeting commence and continue throughout February, March and April
-
February 7, 2024 – Mentor/Mentee Meet your Match Even
Are there minimum meeting requirements?
Mentors and mentees are expected to meet a minimum of once per month, but are encouraged to meet as often and exchange as much information as their worklife and relationship allows.
Can I be a mentor?
Mentors
- Must be a Chamber Member with minimum 5 years’ experience in their current career, or 10 years of overall work experience.
- Must commit to a single semester (Oct-Dec or Mar-May) minimum.
- Must be available for at least one mentee once per month.
- Must be open to mentees of diverse backgrounds, genders, cultures, and businesses. Pairings will be made based on tangible and intangible qualities, so we expect the mentors to come into the relationship with an open mind and give the mentee the opportunity to work on the relationship as they get to know their mentors.
- We encourage mentors to be open to connecting and networking with their mentees, including introducing them to others and making them aware of events or opportunities in the community they might not otherwise have access to or be made aware of.
- Must communicate with the Mentor Coordinator during check-ins, if any issues arise, and during the feedback process after the established duration of the program.
Can I be a mentee?
Mentees
- Must be a Chamber Member under the age of 35 and not actively enrolled in post-secondary education.
- Must commit to a single semester (Oct-Dec or Mar-May) minimum.
- Must commit to working collaboratively with their mentor to determine the structure of their relationship. Mentees will be responsible for discussing if they’d prefer a more casual relationship or would like to create a formal relationship through the use of SMART goals and other resources for skill building.
- Must be open to mentors of diverse backgrounds, genders, cultures, and businesses. Pairings will be made based on tangible and intangible qualities, so we expect the mentees to come into the relationship with an open mind and give the mentors the opportunity to work on the relationship as they get to know their mentees.
- Must communicate with the Mentee Coordinator during check-ins, if any issues arise, and during the feedback process after the established duration of the program.
What if I’ve never been a mentor or mentee before?
Welcome! We’re happy to have you. The YBPC has put together a toolkit of resources for use by you and your mentor which includes information about mentorship, a mentorship agreement, goal setting forms, and ice breakers. You may structure your relationship using as much or as little of these toolkit resources as you desire.
What types of topics might mentors and mentees discuss during their meetings?
There are no prescribed topics that mentor and mentees must discuss; however, here are some key areas that may be of interest:
- business knowledge, entrepreneurship
- building professional networks/client bases
- creating and managing work/life balance
- any other areas that the mentors and mentees wish to explore together
What if I’d like to continue my relationship with my mentee/mentor at the end of the semester?
If things are going great, we encourage mentors and mentees to continue their relationship outside of the YBPC program. Additionally. if you had a great experience, we encourage you to apply for the next semester for the opportunity to be re-matched with a new mentor/mentee.
Do I have to meet with my mentor or mentee during business hours?
No! In the intake forms, we canvas your availability and do our best to make pairings where there is overlap in availability for both the mentor and mentee. Pairings may meet whenever and wherever is convenient for them.
Do I have to meet in person with my mentor/mentee?
No, the YBPC leaves it up to the individual mentor/mentee pairings to determine what meeting methods will work best for them.
Reasons to be a mentor
- You’re hoping to help a young professional’s career develop and advance
- You had a fantastic mentor when you were a young professional and you are now in a position to pay it forward
- You have a growth mindset and are looking for an opportunity to hear a new perspective and learn from it
- You would like to expand your professional network or find your next business partner or employee
- You’d like to gain perspective on where a particular industry is headed or the challenges and successes that your mentee is experiencing as a young professional
- You have a unique or uncommon skill set that you would like to share with a young professional
Reasons to be a mentee
-
- You are new to Lethbridge and would like some assistance breaking into the professional scene
- You’re hoping to create a long-term mentorship relationship using the YBPC program as a starting point
- You’d like to learn about a particular industry or role
- You want to speak with someone who has been through the challenges or experiences that you’re currently going through
- You want help setting short term and long-term goals
- You’d like to increase your confidence and networking skills
Still have questions?
Please contact Charlene Scheffelmair, Chair of the Young Business Professionals Committee.
-
Become involved in the YBPC Mentorship Program!