Join the MCDA Mentorship Program
MCDA offers a dynamic mentoring program aimed at fostering professional growth and excellence in the career development field. Members can choose to participate as either a mentor or mentee, based on their individual goals and experience levels. Program coordinators strive to create optimal mentor-mentee pairings using this information. The application is linked here!
Benefits of Mentoring
Mentoring provides a reciprocal learning and development opportunity. For mentees, it offers a chance to gain self-awareness and explore various career development fields. For mentors, it is a fulfilling way to contribute to the profession and assist others in achieving success. The personalized nature of mentoring allows both parties to:
- Share knowledge, experiences, and resources
- Expand their perspectives by exploring new ideas
- Build valuable connections with other professionals
- Enhance communication skills (for mentees) or coaching skills (for mentors)
Mentee Qualifications
Ideal mentee candidates are those who:
- Are new to the career development field
- Seek to advance their professional development and can:
- deepen their understanding of the field
- receive guidance for their goals
- practice new skills
- Are proactive in their learning, setting goals and agendas with their mentor
Are you an MCDA member? If not, to join, click here!
Mentor Qualifications
Ideal mentor candidates are those who:
- Are an experienced career development professional (generally 5+ year’s experience in the field)
- Wish to nurture the next generation of professionals and are willing to:
- Share your knowledge and understanding of opportunities, challenges, and resources within the field,
- Provide support and guidance for your mentee’s professional growth
- Help your mentee practice new skills, develop their ideas and make new connections
- Are MCDA members. To join, click here.
- (Note that mentors are not expected to offer jobs, act as therapists, or have all the answers!)
Time Commitment
Successful mentoring relationships require a commitment of time and effort. Participants should be prepared to:
- Meet for one hour monthly, either in-person, virtually or by phone, between October and April.
- Attend a Mentor Program Kick-off meeting, which serves as the first mentoring session
- Prioritize the relationship by maintaining communication and fulfilling commitments
Cost and Registration
Participation in the MCDA Mentoring Program is free for members. To participate, you must be an MCDA member. Click here to become an MCDA member now. Registration for the 2024-2025 program is open until Monday, October 7, 2024 and can be accessed here!
Returning mentors from the previous year can simply express their interest via email without re-registering.
For any questions, contact the program coordinator Ann Rogers at MCDAmentor@gmail.com.