Virtual Mentoring Program Overview

Overview of Program Objective: The Virtual Mentoring Program was established to match professional women in the field of Engineering and Information Technology with young women who have received a scholarship from ITWomen. These mentees are either in college or accepted to college. Once matched, the pairs will establish a relationship, communicating via telephone, Internet, e-mail, LinkedIn or Facetime/Skype. The goal is to establish a trusting, nurturing, positive relationship between the mentor and mentee. History: The Virtual Mentoring Program was started in 2013 and there are currently 4 matches.

Mentor/Mentee Process Recruit Mentors Identify Mentees Matching Process Follow-up on Pairs Review of Relationships

Role of Mentor Mentors understand the need to assume a number of different roles during the course of a mentoring relationship. The roles of the Mentor include the following:   Contact your assigned mentee as soon as possible to: Set-up an initial meeting, establish a regular communication schedule and the means of communications (email, texting, phone calls, etc.) Meet with your assigned mentee at least once during the summer, before they leave for college. Ask your mentee to share her class schedule with you. Learn her schedule so you can consistently ask her how each class is going. Always encourage her to get to know her professors! Help mentee acclimate to her new role (and the responsibilities thereof). Provide mentee with advice/strategies to balance social and academic processes. Provide quarterly updates to ITWomen on your Mentoring relationship. Be a good listener. Foster an atmosphere of trust.

Role of the Mentee Respond to your initial contact and provide the most up-to-date contact information to facilitate communication. Complete the “Mentee Profile” which includes your academic schedule for the first semester. Provide an updated schedule each semester. Create a list of 3 goals for the academic year. One goal should be an academic goal, one should be an extracurricular goal, and one should be a personal goal. Maintain regular contact with your Mentor and keep all scheduled appointments. Be respectful of your Mentor’s time. Be mindful to use your time effectively. Keep your Mentor updated on your personal/academic progress, contact Mentor as needed for support/or guidance. Be proactive in soliciting support. 

ITWomen Virtual Mentor Chair Contact Information Margaret Brisbane ITWomen Virtual Mentor Chair Phone: (305)790-7722 Email: mbrisb@miamidade.gov Click to Download the Virtual Mentor Application from ITWomen.org ( http://itwomen.memberize.net/clubportal/clubdocdisplay.cfm?clubID=2406&docID=24004&priv=0 ) Please email completed application to Margaret Brisbane