Introduction

The CIE Mentoring Program (CMP) event is one of the long-standing CIE/USA-DFW events featuring “Leadership” and “Career Mentoring” for young professionals. This event is especially designed for graduating university students and young professionals who desire to enhance their knowledge and hand-on experience on hiring process, career development, corporate culture, and leadership. The goal of our program: foster relationships with young students/professionals and provide guidance as they navigate the early challenges of adulthood. Mentoring can be dated back to ancient Greek Mythology, primarily the story of Mentor from Homer’s Odyssey. As Odysseus was fighting in the Trojan War, he put a friend, Mentor, in charge of his most prized possession: his son, Telemachus. Mentor became Telemachus’ coach, counselor, teacher, protector, and trusted advisor as he helped him grow from a young man into adulthood while his father was away. The word Mentor eventually evolved from a name into a word meaning trusted advisor, friend, teacher, and wise person. In addition, history has shown us many examples of successful mentoring relationships: Socrates and Plato, Hayden and Beethoven, Freud and Jung. Mentoring is now considered a fundamental form of human development where someone invests their time, energy, and personal knowledge in the growth of another person. This program seeks to do exactly that.

As a Mentor, you will have the ability to change a young person’s life. You will work directly with your mentee(s) to help address a myriad of topics such as: information overload, work/life balance, generational issues, communications, developing networking skills, culture transitions, setting career goals, bridging the college gap, and career guidance. These topics are essential to helping our young professionals evolve in to the future leaders of tomorrow.

So why become a Mentor? Mentoring isn’t just useful for the person you are assisting, but it can help you in various ways. First, you experience the satisfaction from supporting another human being. Studies have shown that the greatest single aspect of becoming successful and overcoming hardships is through overwhelming support and motivation. This can be observed by little league coaches and their impacts on children, Boy Scout leaders and their pupils, and CEO’s and other executive leaders. Second, mentors grow themselves! You will hone your development on key skills such as listening, questioning, facilitation, empathizing, planning, and confidence. Furthermore, as you work closer and closer with your mentee(s), you will gain a sense of self-reflection. You will notice your own areas of improvement, your own weaknesses, and your own strengths. Together, you will both grow beyond expectations and that is what mentoring is about.

As a Mentee, you will learn from local leaders in a variety of industries. You will work directly with your mentor(s) to get answers on topics that are important to you: setting goals, engaging in effective communication, handling conflict in the workplace, work/life balance, job seeking skills, and how to become a strong leader. These of course, are just a small sample of questions that you may have. As part of the CMP, the program is designed to put you, the mentee, in the drivers’ seat. In addition, the CMP steering committee will work hard to pair you with a mentor that matches you direct needs and areas of interest. We will evaluate you and your mentor based on the personal activities you share, the level of education, the industry you are in, and the type of mentoring you are looking for.

So why become a Mentee? Everyone needs a little help and advice at some point in our lives. Very few (and we mean very), have the ability to navigate the complexities of life without needing some external guidance. Through the helping hand of a mentor, you have the one thing many people do not: a sounding board. Struggling with handling a high intensity job and maintaining a healthy life? We guarantee the mentors have been there. Worried about getting a job upon graduation? Yeah, they have been there as well. By interacting with a proven industry leader, your worries will subside as you receive advice from a mentor who has made it. Let them help you cultivate a successful career and help your dreams come true.

So what are you waiting for? Apply through the buttons on the right hand side of the website. On behalf of the CIE/USA-DFW Chapter, we are looking forward to providing you a helping hand.

General Rules and Guidelines

Guidelines:

1. Mentee checklist prior to meeting Mentor
   1. Define your personal goals. Consider the skill set you will need to reach these goals. How can a mentor help you reach these goals?
   2. Prepare to take initiative in developing Mentor relationship, and practice active listening
2. Mentee & Mentor to learn more about each other, and best methods to work together
   1. Establish a meeting cadence between mentee and mentor. Suggested schedule is once every 2 week, ideally face to face, or via phone calls, Text or Email.
   2. Discuss formality of meetings: Agenda, minutes, action items.
   3. Agree on communication tools/style. Is texting, phone calls acceptable on-demand or should everything be scheduled?
   4. Find commonalities in background, education, personal interests, hobbies, etc
3. Set Goals & expectations – Build a framework for success
   1. Review the rules together
   2. Understand what Mentor expects and what Mentee expects
   3. Review mentee’s needs assessment and establish achievable goals for the duration of the program
   4. Discuss what success look like
   5. Agree on how to evaluate outcomes at mid-point and at the end of the program. Document this as early as possible.
   6. Review time management strategies in lieu of set expectations
4. Actions at Mentor’s discretion:
   1. The Mentor may offer to write the mentee a progress reports to mentee’s managers
   2. The Mentor may offer to introduce mentee to hiring managers or directly hire the mentees. Mentors are under no such obligation to directly assist mentees in seeking a job.

Rules:

1. Respect mentee’s schedule and make every effort to meeting appointments
2. Both mentor and mentee must respect CIE Program Confidentiality

Mentoring Confidentiality Statement – “For a mentoring relationship to develop, both the mentor and mentee must feel that discussions of private issues or problems are being handled with discretion. The purpose of this agreement is to protect both the mentor and mentee from a breach in confidentiality during the mentoring process”

3. Abide by ethical behavior and rules of etiquette

FAQ

Questions before you participate in CIE Mentoring Program (CMP):

1. What is CMP – CIE Mentoring Program?

The CIE Mentoring Program (CMP) event is one of the long-standing CIE/USA-DFW events featuring “Leadership” and “Career Mentoring” for young professionals. This event is especially designed for graduating university students and young professionals who desire to enhance their knowledge and hand-on experience on hiring process, career development, corporate culture, and leadership.

2. Who is CIE/USA-DFW Chapter – the host of CMP?

CIE/USA-DFW Chapter was established in January 1989 and registered in the state of Texas as a non-profit organization in 1992, and has been very active in the Metroplex since then. We focus on promoting the community interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

3. How long will CMP last?

CMP is actively supported by CIE/USA-DFW for 2 semesters from September to April. The time depends on the goals and availability of the participants. Participants may choose to continue their relationship beyond the CIE-supported time frame on their own.

4. Is there any sign-up cost?

No, participants are responsible for any expense that may be incurred.

5. If I am not able to continue with the mentoring program after it started, what should be the next step?

If you are really unable to continue, we suggest you meet with the Mentoring Program Manager (MPM).

6. Can I claim any expenses?

No, participants are responsible for any expense that may be incurred.

7. Will we need to meet face-to-face?

It’s up to you. It can be in person, via phone, e-mail, web meeting, or other form of communication.

8. If I don’t feel the relationship/match is working, what should be the next step?

Please contact the MPM to discuss the issues and next steps. Please use the provided email address (ciementoringprogram@gmail.com) or call (469-647-9386)

9. Can I be both a mentor and mentee?

No, you can only be one of them.

As a mentor:

1. What are the mentor qualifications/requirements?

We require mentors to have at least 10 years of experience as a professional and currently have a leadership role within your organization.

2. Do I need to be a CIE/USA-DFW life time member in order to be a mentor?

No, you don’t. You are very welcome to become a CIE life time member but it is not necessary.

3. Am I expected to schedule meetings with the mentee?

No, this program is mentee-driven and scheduling meetings is an expectation of the mentee.

4. What happens if the mentee is not responsive?

If the Mentee has not responded after a month, please reach out to the MPM.

5. Who can I contact for mentoring resources & training?

Please contact the MPM to discuss resources that are available.

6. Will CIE be willing to inform my management that I am volunteering as a mentor?

If you would like, the CIE will gladly notify your management or anyone else with your involvement in the program.

7. Will the mentor’s personal information be kept confidential and secure?

Yes. All applicants are expected to comply and respect each other’s privacy.

8. How big is each mentoring group, one to one or one to many?

The current goal of the program is to provide mentees with private 1:1 mentoring. However, if mentors are willing to lead mentoring circles in order to allow more mentees to be part of the program, we may consider both 1 on 1 and mentoring circles.

9. As a mentor, how much time am I expected to spend communicating with my mentee?

There is no set expectation on time commitment. In general, we recommend mentees and mentors to agree on meeting frequency and to be respectful of each other’s availability. A guideline is 1 hour meeting either weekly or bi-weekly.

10. What are the benefits of mentoring?

• Gain satisfaction in sharing expertise with others.
• Enhance your professional skills e.g. leadership skills by working with others with different background or personality, communication, listening and management skills.
• Create an impact with your experience for the next generation.
• Enhance your resume
• Gain fresh perspectives

As a mentee:

1. What are the mentee qualifications/requirements?

We request that mentees be young professionals with less than 5 years of work experience and at a minimum junior/senior level in college.

2. Am I required to be a CIE/USA-DFW Chapter member?

We ask all applicants be a member of the CIE/USA-DFW Chapter. Learn more at http://www.cie-dfw.org/index.html.

3. Am I expected to schedule meetings with the mentee?

As a mentee, the expectation is to drive the relationship with the mentor. How frequently, through what channels, and meeting times should be scheduled by you (working with your mentor)

4. What happens if the mentor is not responsive?

If the Mentor has not responded after a month, please reach out to the MPM.

5. Will CIE be willing to inform my management that I am volunteering as a mentee?

If you would like, the CIE will gladly notify your management or anyone else with your involvement in the program.

6. Will the mentee’s personal information be kept confidential and secure?

Yes. All applicants are expected to comply and respect each other’s privacy.

7. As a mentee, how much time am I expected to spend communicating with my mentor?

There is no set expectation on time commitment. In general, we recommend mentees and mentors to agree on meeting frequency and to be respectful of each other’s availability. A guideline is 1 hour meeting either weekly or bi-weekly.

8. What are the benefits of a mentee?

• Gain from the mentor’s expertise
• Receive critical feedback in key areas, such as communications, interpersonal relationships, technical abilities, change management and leadership skills
• Develop a sharper focus on what is needed to grow professionally within the organization
• Learn specific skills and knowledge that are relevant to personal goals
• Gain knowledge about the organization’s culture and unspoken rules that can be critical for success; as a result, adapts more quickly to the organization’s culture