Thank you for your interest in the Mentoring Program for participants of our Pre-Employment Training Program. This programs is funded by the Career Development Division of the Department of Family Services, Government of Nunavut.
Mentoring is a privilege and an opportunity. It is foremost a relationship. As such, it is important that the relationship is built first followed by the creation and execution of a plan designed to achieve the goals and meet the expectations of both parties.
Mentoring requires thoughtful planning and preparation for both the mentee and the mentor. Failure to plan effectively can lead to an unproductive mentoring relationship. This leaves both the mentee and the mentor with a dissatisfying experience. PMC will provide mentors and mentees with a toolkit of resources that will help both the mentor and mentee with:
- Personal Reflection
- Getting to know strengths and weaknesses
- Establishing goals
- Setting expectations
- Creating a mentoring agreement
What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is most often defined as a professional relationship in which an experienced person (the mentor) assists another (the mentee) in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the less-experienced person’s professional and personal growth.
In addition to the growth opportunities, it builds relationships across organizations and between community members.
A mentor is a trusted friend, usually with more career experience who provides a listening ear, career advice and guidance, feedback and example. Mentors share knowledge and the perspective of their years of experience, nurturing the growth of the mentee as a professional and as a leader.
A mentee is usually described as a more junior individual who has a strong desire to learn, develop, and grow professionally. They may or may not work in the same organization.
Every mentoring relationship is unique, is based upon the personal styles of each partner, the commitments they have agreed to, and the strengths both bring to the relationship. The topics of discussion will largely depend on the mentee’s needs and the issues that the mentor feels are important for the mentee’s long-term professional development.
Common Topics for Discussion in a Mentoring Relationship:
- Personal and professional skills development
- How to build personal recognition and a professional image
- Coping with new or difficult situations
- Career planning and job searching
- Balancing health, work and family
- Organizational issues and politics
- Occupational and professional responsibilities
- Leadership
- Ethical decision making and conduct
How much experience do you need to mentor?
Mentors don’t need to have to be experts, they simply need to have more work experience than the mentee. The ideal is 5-10 years more work experience, but that’s just a guideline.
What if it doesn’t work out?
At any time, the mentor or mentee can stop the mentoring relationship for any reason.
How do I learn more?
If you would like more information on this program, you can contact the person who invited you to this page. Alternatively, you can reach out to Erin Strachan, Manager, Indigenous Capacity-Building Programs at estrachan@pmcrenewal.com or (613)-234-2020 ext. 16. You can also learn more about our Pre-Employment Training program on our news page and blog, and see photos on our Facebook page.