ASCE WCB Mentorship Program
ASCE West Coast Branch’s Young Members Group (YMG) would like to invite you into joining our mentorship program.
This program is designed to expand and share the knowledge between fellow ASCE members, in addition to connecting our ASCE USF Student chapter, the YMG and the West Coast Branch (WCB).
The program is a six-month commitment, that has several monthly meetings throughout its duration. Members are encouraged to share and collaborate information, not only from a mentor to protégé standpoint but also from a mentee to a mentor. Mentor and protégé pairs are encourage to not just keep communication inside of matched groups. Intergroup communication is encouraged in order to expand the wealth of knowledge between members.
the following document is a list of requirements from both mentors and prejudice in addition to tips and insight to what members will be getting out of the program.
Supportive friendships can make a big difference in others lives.
If you have any questions, contact mentorship@asce-wcb.org
Mentors
Why be a mentor?
As a mentor, you have the opportunity to enrich the growth of a protégé by sharing knowledge and insights you have gained and honed throughout your years as an Engineering Professional.
Benefits to becoming a Mentor
Satisfaction from contributing to a Protégé’s development
Share experience and skills
Expand networks and develop a reputation
Reflect upon and articulate knowledge
Gain a different perspective from the Proteges and staying in touch with emerging issues
Explore and discuss past choices as a leader/engineer and lessons learned along the way
Build your leadership skills
Improve communication skills
Share new perspectives with other Mentors
Opportunity to receive recognition from ASCE
What is expected
Mentors are expected to help their protégé’s develop a set of goals that are feasible and that leverage their expertise.
Offer ongoing support and guidance to their protégé (not necessarily exclusively related to the goals).
Be available to connect with their protégé at least once a month over the term of the program.
Commit to the full term of the program. If the mentor is not able to do so, they will need to coordinate with their protégé(s) and the program organizer.
Establish and keep good communication.
Requirement to becoming a Mentor
The individual filling this role demonstrates that he or she has the right qualifications and is capable of carrying out the following responsibilities through:
Mid-level to Senior Engineer
PE certified (Preferred, though not required)
≥4 years of professional experience
Willing to make a 6-month commitment to your Protégé with at least one hour per month of face-to-face meetings
Available to your protégé by phone and/or email throughout the month for typically non-urgent or non-time sensitive consultations.
Attendance at monthly group meetings (required for participation in the Mentorship Program).
Eager to share their experiences and wisdom
Active ASCE Member during sign-up
Protégé
Why be a Protégé?
As a protégé, you have the opportunity of growth through learning and communication with other fellow Engineering Professional.
Benefits to becoming a Protégé
Learn from experienced managers and leaders
Develop and expand your networks
Increase your skills and knowledge
Gain insight into future planning and self-development
Develop your professional confidence and your own ability to support others
Share new perspectives with other Members
Set your goals, visions and values and work towards achieving your objectives
Reflect on your experiences
Grow with confidence
What is expected
Protégés are expected to work with their Mentor on being able to develop a set of goals.
Work with a willingness and open mind.
Be available to connect with their protégé at least once a month over the term of the program.
Commit to the full term of the program. If the mentor is not able to do so, they will need to coordinate with their protégé(s) and the program organizer.
Establish and keep good communication
Requirement to becoming a Protégé
Student to Junior -Level Engineers
≤ 4 years of professional experience
Able to commit to at least 1 day each month for 6 months
Eager to share their experiences and wisdom
ASCE Member
Events
There will be a meeting once a month that will cover as both a meeting up for participants and their mentorship partner and a way to learn a new skill/topic.
The meets will be divided into two 30-minute sections. The first will be a small presentation that will be a skill share to both Protégé’s and Mentors, though there will be times when it is more beneficial for one over the other. Mentors and proteges are welcomed to volunteer to host a presentation.
The second section is specifically for the mentor and protégé groups to mingle with either their respective partner or to other program goers.
Locations may vary throughout the year, though we will try to keep it consistent. Call-in options are available for the first section of the meetings, though it is highly suggested that one attends in person.
The following figure shows the scheduled dates from this year. Do note that the day may change due to unforeseen circumstances. If the date will change, participants will be notified, but it is encouraged to check our website for updates.
Tips to working with your Mentor/ Protégé
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
For Proteges
Take responsibility for your own learning
Develop trusty relationship with your mentor
Be respectful of your mentor’s time. Remember your mentor is a volunteer.
Set realistic goals with your mentor so as to track your progress along the course
Come to each meeting with a prepared agenda. Share your agenda with your mentor in advance
Be flexible and learn, push yourself and get out of your comfort zone
For Mentors
Make yourself approachable to your mentees and keep things professional
Get to know your mentee, understand their background and where they come from
Help mentees set a realistic goals, challenge them to grow and keep track of their progress
Maintain contact with your mentee
Provide creative ideas to improve. Encourage your mentee to get out of their comfort zone.
Provide honest feedback & don’t criticize. Remember you’re here to offer guidance and support.
FAQs
Why have a mentor?
Mentors play a significant role in the lives of developing professionals by serving as a teacher, coach, counselor and role model. They provide feedback and encouragement, offer professional advice and help others make connections between their present performance and their future.
Who can be a Mentor?
For Professional Mentor ship, any engineer with over 10 years of field experience and for Student Mentors, any Engineer with over 4 years of field experience.
Who can be an MLA Protégé?
Any professional or student who is a member of ASCE can be a protégé. Any engineering professional or student who is a member of ASCE can be a protégé.
Is there a fee?
No, the Mentor Program is free for all ASCE members as a benefit of joining ASCE.
Who do I contact for more information on the MLA Mentor Program?
You can contact mentorship@asce-wcb.org.
How do I apply for the Mentor Program?
Applications for the mentorship program are accepted in the Winter and Summer. Once the application deadline has passed all applications will be invited to an Introduction meeting, where they can request any partner that they meet. After the Introduction meeting, requests and applications will be carefully reviewed in order to make the best possible mentor/protégé partnerships.
Participants will be notified of their match approximately 1 weeks after the official start date so they can learn about their match and initiate the first introduction.
After I apply for the ASCE Mentor Program, who will contact me?
After your application has been received, you will be contacted by YMG to confirm your application for the program and program information. You will also be given a date and location for the introduction meeting, where you will connect with potential mentors/protégé partners.
What will I know about my match?
Once a potential match is identified based on field of work and interests as described on the applications, you will receive an email that includes your match’s contact information, outlines the relationship timeline and includes ideas for getting your relationship off on the right foot, such as goal setting, activity examples and tips for success. It is then the responsibility of the protégé to initiate contact with the mentor. This is a period of your relationship where both parties begin communication and setup goals and objectives for the individual process.
What if I’m not comfortable with my proposed mentor or protégé?
Please tell us! Talk to us frankly if things aren’t working the way you had hoped. If you haven’t talked directly with your mentor or protégé about issues that are causing disagreement, do so. Often it will be a question of miscommunication that can be cleared up through open conversation. The next step would be to talk directly with us to discuss your options.
What if I cannot answer the protege’s questions?
Some questions posed to you by your protégé might not be in your field of interest or within your scope of knowledge. When this situation arises, we encourage you to share this with the protégé and forward their question to the head of program. Notify the protégé that their question has been forwarded and that they will be contacted by the YMG.