What is a mentor?
Mentors help others (mentees) to develop their careers. They usually have experience to share with the mentee but may come from a completely different background. They are people who will listen, challenge and help mentees review their progress in order to support them with their personal development and help them leverage opportunities that come their way.
What experience do you need?
We are looking for mentors that are at manager level or above from different disciplines of the telecommunications industry (technical, operations, management, administrative, customer service, sales and marketing, HR, and financial expertise). We will match mentors appropriately with mentees and therefore we need to know what experience you have to date within the industry.For example, if you are a middle manager who entered the industry 10 years ago, you may be well placed to mentor a recent graduate. Or, if you are an experienced executive, your experience may be valuable to someone aspiring to a Director-level post.
What skills do you need?
Be a good listener. Challenge others. Enjoy developing others and helping them to progress.
What do you get out of mentoring?
The opportunity to use your knowledge and experience to help someone develop their own career can be a very positive and rewarding experience.In addition to helping others, mentoring also helps develop key management and influencing skills and is often as beneficial to the mentor as it is for the mentee.Through ITP’s Mentoring scheme, you will receive professional training. The mentoring training is designed to comply with the Mentoring & Befriending Foundation’s rigorous guidelines and yet flexible enough for even the busiest of schedules.
What do you need to commit to?
You will need to successfully complete an online Induction Programme followed by a skills practice conference call session. Once completed, you will be partnered with a mentee.In order to be successful in your role as a mentor, you must commit to developing a relationship with your mentee. You should plan to devote at least 1-2 hours every 2-4 weeks for a six month period. There will also be the occasional email, telephone contact between meetings.
Will you have to travel?
We will endeavour to match mentoring pairs based on their close geographical proximity; however, mentoring often takes place by telephone and email.
Ready to become a mentor?
Step 1: Complete the online application form
Step 2: Ask a colleague to download and complete the attached reference form below and return it by email to mentoring@theitp.org or by post to:
The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals
Sunbury TE
Green Street
Sunbury-on-Thames
Middlesex
TW16 6QJ
