WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
MENTORING COMPONENT
Working with a mentor is a key part of the Women's International Leadership (WIL) Program. Below is some detailed information about the mentoring component of WIL.
Mentoring Aims and Goals
The Women’s International Leadership (WIL) Program aims to develop women leaders in a global context and to complement the leadership training workshops offered over the course of the year, each of the grantees is required to seek out a Mentor.
The process of finding a mentor is a networking skill in itself and for this reason, grantees are not matched with a mentor but rather required to seek out an appropriate mentor that fits her specific learning goals. The WIL Coordinator and WIL Advisory Council offer support in this process.
While each mentor/mentee relationship is unique to the participants, the goal of the program is to allow the grantee to gain firsthand insight from a women leader. It also gives the grantee an opportunity to work with a woman leader to help identify important goals as well as the steps required to achieve those goals.
In turn the mentor becomes part of a larger network of highly accomplished women leaders around the world and is invited to participate in WIL events.
Program Requirements
The commitment of becoming a Mentor entails having three face-to-face meetings throughout the academic year and involves becoming acquainted with one another, determining what the grantee would like to learn from her mentor and what resources a mentor can provide. Personal contact is important, particularly in establishing a strong relationship from the very beginning. If comfortable, mentors should feel free to share their personal insights, wisdom, and life experiences (including both successes and failures) with their grantees.
Who Can Become a Mentor?
A mentor in the WIL program can be any woman of sufficient experience and insight in a particular area of interest to the grantee that can help her identify goals and map out a path towards achieving those goals.
Being a WIL Mentor
Suggestions for Mentors and Mentees:
1. Set an initial meeting, perhaps over a meal, in which both parties can become acquainted and explore areas of mutual interest. Discuss how often and how best to stay in contact with each other (the WIL Program recommends that you meet a minimum of three times in person over the academic year). Options to think about: do you want to meet in person, attend a function (professional or social) together, go for a walk in the park, or meet at a coffee bar?
2. The grantee can observe a mentor in a work situation (if appropriate) at least once during the academic year. Grantees will be asked to observe the following with regard to:
• What kinds of problems is your mentor working on?
• Is she working alone or with others?
• In what ways does she work with others: supervising, meeting as a team, occasional
contact, serving others?
• What are the sources of satisfaction in this type of work?
• What kinds of positions are available in the field?
• What credentials (education, training, experience) are needed for this type of work?
• How is her work environment structured (structured/informal)? Is it enjoyable?
• Are there opportunities for growth and new challenges in this profession?
• How is “success” judged in this profession?
• Do people work long hours or take work home?
• Will this profession allow time and energy for non-work relationships and interests?
3. Networking is essential. Ideally, mentors will introduce grantees to other people in the field who might broaden her perspective of the profession she is interested in pursuing.
4. In addition, mentors will be invited to attend WIL Program events and WIL network gatherings and receptions. These events are ideal opportunities for mentors to meet other grantees, mentors, Advisory Council Members, alumnae and friends of the WIL Program.
5. Most important: The mentor and the grantee are not obliged to continue working together if the match does not feel appropriate.
Contact Info
For any questions about the mentoring component or the WIL program please contact the WIL Coordinator, Sarit Abramowicz Bello at: (212) 316-8466 or at sabramowicz@ihouse-nyc.org.
Information About WIL
WIL Directory 2009-2010
WIL Program Description