Who is eligible for The Mentorship Program? Any current or former University of Minnesota student or staff member, of any gender identity.
How long does The Mentorship Program run? Six months, although you and your mentor/mentee match can choose a longer or shorter timeframe according to your personal needs.
How does The Mentorship Program match the mentor/mentee pairs? The application process involves a survey where participants list their strengths, experiences, histories, and areas in which they want to grow. The Mentorship Program Committee members look over each applicant to best match the mentor/mentee pairs.
Can I have a mentor who is of a certain ethnicity, gender identity, religion, or background?
Participants can request a mentor/mentee match who has certain identities (for example, “I would love a mentor who is also a black woman"). The Mentorship Committee will do our best to honor these wishes when we can, though we are limited by the pool of applicants.
Due to our history as The Mentorship Program for the Women in Technology community, we hold it as one of our values to help match young women in technology with more experienced women mentors. If you have any specific questions, please email us at [email protected].
How does The Mentorship Program sponsored by Women in Technology differ from the Mentorship Module in the Employee Development Center?
The Employee Development Center (EDC) Mentorship Module approach is a flexible, self-service platform where employees drive the entire process. It empowers employees to search for and initiate their own connections, allowing the mentorship to be anything from a single coffee meeting to a long-term partnership. With the EDC, the structure, duration, and goals are not dictated by a program but are organically co-created by the mentor and mentee, making it a more customizable and user-driven experience.
The Women in Technology Mentorship Program is a six-month program managed and supported by the Women in Technology committee members. The program provides structure, duration, and guidance from other mentors and mentees, as well as support from mentorship committee members. The cohort model enables participants to meet not only their mentor/mentee match, but to network with others who are also interested in mentoring opportunities at the University.
The Mentorship Program is delighted to work with the Mentorship Module in the EDC and to provide the chance for our members utilize the tools and technologies built into the Mentorship Module.
Can I participate in The Mentorship Program if I’m remote, onsite, or hybrid? Yes! The Kickoff and Check-In portions of The Mentorship Program are hosted on Zoom. Participants will work with their mentor/mentee matches to determine how they want to connect as a mentor/mentee pair.
How much of a time commitment is The Mentorship Program?
The Mentorship Program asks participants for the following commitments:
Attendance at the 45-minute kickoff meeting.
Meeting with your mentor/mentee pair at least once per month. The Mentorship Program recommends meeting every other week for 30-60 minutes.
The Mentorship Program provides the following optional opportunities:
45-minute training sessions for mentors and mentees (separate).
Mid-cohort check-in for mentors and mentees (separate).