Veterans
Q: Why would I want to receive mentoring?
A: Mentor’s can provide you with an opportunity to:
- Learn the “ins and outs” of industries or organizations through talking to professionals
- Have a confidant to talk to about concerns or ideas
- Discuss balancing work and family or being a woman in the work force
- Gain access to networking opportunities
- Practice networking and communication skills when meeting new people
- Gain connections in fields or industries of interest
- Learn about the business environment
Q: What qualifications do mentors have, and what companies do they represent?
A: Our mentors come from a large number of industries and companies and many are veterans. They have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in their field or occupation (and often much more). They are often supervisory or management-level employees, and have come from large companies and numerous smaller companies in the Columbia Basin area.
Q: Is there any cost to participate?
A: There is no financial cost to participate in the program, as all mentors are voluntarily providing their time. You will only be responsible for providing your time and effort to meet with the mentor.
Q: What do mentors and mentees do together?
A: Mentors provide mentees information and guidance about the mentee’s career interests. Examples of meetings between mentors and mentees include:
- Meet for coffee, lunch or dinner
- Mentors often introduce mentees to other professionals
- Mentors can give feedback on resumes
- Mentors can offer students a plant or company tour or provide mentees the opportunity to “shadow” the mentor for a day
Q: What type of commitment is involved?
A: Participation in the Mentor Program is purely voluntary. Typically, a mentoring relationship last approximately 6 months with meetings initially happening weekly. Once participants enter a mentor-mentee relationship, we do have some guidelines:
- The mentee should initiate and maintain communication with their mentor.
- Participants should try to maintain the relationship for at least 6 months
- Participants must keep confided personal or business information to themselves
- Mentees must realize that mentors are not their personal job seekers and this is not a job placement service
- Mentors must realize that mentees are not their employees.
Q: How do I become a mentor or mentee?
A: If you are interested in becoming a mentee, you can apply online on our website. Just download the application on our home page and return it to www.veterancoalition-CB.org.
Q: Can my spouse participate in the program?
A: Yes. We recognize that veteran spouses may also benefit from our mentorship program.
Business and Organizational Professionals
Q: Why would I want to be a mentor?
A: Mentors benefit in the following ways:
- Contribute to the development of future management in our community and beyond
- Build connections and friendships with future leaders in business
- “Give back” to society what you may have received in the past
- There is opportunity to personally learn and grow through exposure to new ideas, problem solving, and discussions.
Q: What do mentors and mentees do together?
A: Mentors provide mentees information and guidance about the mentee’s career interests. This includes discussion of career goals, advice about career challenges, instruction on educational needs, and other areas.