Mentor Match For Women Working in Tech
Every third Wednesday of the month, 2Seats community leaders Joy Belinda Beland,CISM, SSAP, CMMC PI PA and Tracie Orisko host the 2Seats community mentor match. Women looking for mentors, women who would like to mentor, and women who are looking for ideas on how they can better engage in their mentor/mentee relationships are encouraged to join.
Last Wednesday, Joy shared some of her experience with the community. You can listen to some of Joy’s thoughts here:
If you are not yet on the email list for 2Seats, here is a copy of the email sent to the women looking for/offering to be mentors:
Good morning, ladies!
You are on this email chain because you have expressed interest in being mentored during our first or subsequent “2 Seats” sessions; if I have that wrong, just let me know. We are hoping to organically build out our program and as such, have some initial guidance and ideas to share with you.
Firstly, we’d like you to give thought to what your goals are for being mentored. Everyone comes to this at different points in their career and with different needs. It could be that you want to move into management, that you want a new career or industry, to improve your cyber or IT skills, to go after certifications, to overcome imposter syndrome … there are a myriad of reasons you might be interested in this. Letting us know one or more of your overarching goals will be helpful.
Secondly, is there a cadence or time commitment that is important to you? Think about the formality you are looking for and if there is a term in mind. For example, if your goal is to obtain a certification, you may be looking for someone to guide your choice(s), to help hold you accountable, and to provide resources on a regular basis (every two weeks or every month) until you pass your exam. Or you may be looking for something less formal that would be open ended – potentially years if it is a good fit.
Tracie, Michelle and I will be reviewing your responses to help match them up with likely mentor(s) for you to meet and determine if it is a good fit for both of you. And, we want your voice and ideas in how to make this successful, so please don’t be shy if you have feedback or want to help.
One thing we all agree on is that asking someone to mentor you means you are willing to commit to doing the work to achieve your goal(s). We hope that you will navigate a mentorship experience with energy and accountability. You will likely get out of this what you put into it.
We look forward to this journey and please let us know if you have any questions 🙂.
Please respond by Tuesday Feb 28, so that we can start introductions by Weds Mar 1.
If you’re not already receiving our emails you can email connect@randr.consulting to be added to the 2Seats email list.
Your information is only used to communicate with you about the 2Seats community. We currently use Big Marker as our platform for events and group emails. Individual members of the 2Seats community may contact you privately (for example, if you’re planning to become a mentor, someone will email you privately to schedule times to talk with you about your interests and availability.)
Register here to attend 2Seats calls any/every Wednesday at 1 PM ET:
Join The List of Available Mentors or the List of Women Looking for Mentors in our Community
2Seats keeps a running list of women who are available to mentor, and the community leaders collaborate to interview the women joining the mentor list in order to help those looking for mentors for a specific area (technical expertise, marketing acumen, leadership, soft skills, etc.) meet the women that may be great fits for their needs. We also consider things like time commitments to ensure that mentees are paired with someone who wants to meet at a cadence that works for both parties.
What’s In It For You?
If you’ve never had a mentor or been a mentor, here are some of the ways women in our community say they benefit from having mentors:
Gain access to a more experienced perspective and industry knowledge.
A mentor in the same field can provide valuable insights on navigating the industry and understanding the current trends.
A mentor can provide advice on how to handle difficult situations and provide guidance on how to approach certain tasks.
A mentor can provide valuable industry connections that can help a mentee grow their career.
Ask for feedback and guidance on professional development and career growth.
A mentor can provide valuable feedback on a mentee’s work and help them identify areas for improvement.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to set and achieve career goals.
A mentor can provide support and encouragement when a mentee is considering a career change or transitioning to a new role.
Learn how to navigate office politics and company culture.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to navigate difficult relationships with colleagues or managers.
A mentor can provide advice on how to handle challenging situations that may arise in the workplace.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to adjust to a new corporate culture and understand the unwritten rules of the office.
Access support and guidance on work-life balance.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to manage time and prioritize responsibilities.
A mentor can provide support and advice on how to balance a demanding job with personal responsibilities.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to maintain physical and emotional well-being while working in a high-pressure field.
Find opportunities for professional networking and business development.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to build and maintain professional relationships.
A mentor can provide advice on how to develop new business opportunities and expand one’s network.
A mentor can provide valuable connections and introductions to industry leaders and decision-makers.
Have a safe space for dealing with discrimination or bias in the workplace.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to handle discrimination or bias based on gender, race, or other factors.
A mentor can provide advice on how to advocate for oneself and navigate difficult situations.
A mentor can provide support and encouragement when facing challenges related to discrimination or bias.
Get important guidance on salary negotiation and career advancement.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to negotiate a fair salary and benefits package.
A mentor can provide advice on how to advance one’s career and achieve promotions.
A mentor can provide support and encouragement when facing challenges related to career advancement.
Develop and improve your leadership skills.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to develop leadership skills and take on leadership roles.
A mentor can provide advice on how to manage and lead a team.
A mentor can provide support and encouragement when facing challenges related to leadership development.
Create plans for personal and professional growth.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to set and achieve personal and professional goals.
A mentor can provide advice on how to continue learning and developing new skills.
A mentor can provide support and encouragement when facing challenges related to personal and professional growth.
Get practical advice on how to alleviate burnout or stress.
A mentor can provide guidance on how to identify the signs of burnout and take the appropriate steps to prevent it.
A mentor can provide advice on how to manage stress and maintain a good work-life balance
A mentor can provide support and encouragement when facing challenges related to burnout or stress
To have an initial sounding board for your ideas and thoughts.
A mentor can provide a valuable resource for discussing new ideas or projects
A mentor can provide a sounding board for thoughts and concerns
A mentor can provide feedback and offer constructive criticism on any ideas or thoughts
Is The 2Seats Community Mentor Match right for you?
There’s only one way to find out!
Join us at 1 PM on Wednesdays and meet the women who are making a difference in the lives of other women in technology. Ask them about their experiences, then decide for yourself if you’d like to participate now or in the future! There is no cost to participating in this volunteer run community – all we ask is you bring patience, respect and a good attitude. We’re a new, free, volunteer managed community. The mentor match will evolve as the community does.
I hope you’ll join us! Register here!