Mentoring Program
The Mentoring Program of the Institute of Transportation
Engineering (ITE) Western District is a strategic effort to develop
talented transportation professionals. Mentoring is one of
the oldest teaching arts found in every culture. It is a time-honored
way of passing down valuable wisdom, traditions and core values
from one generation to another. Mentoring is defined as an
action where one offers knowledge, insight, perspective or
wisdom that is helpful to another person.
From the mentoring survey which was conducted
by the ITE Western District Career Guidance Committee, the preferred
type of Mentoring Program would be informal, one-on-one mentoring
program with long-term relationships involving a mentor and
mentee meeting monthly or quarterly. Every ITE member (for
the purposes of this report, the term “member”
is inclusive of Associate Members, Members, Lifetime Members,
Honorary Members and all other membership types) is encouraged
to take advantage of the mentor program to further their personal
growth and career development. The one-on-one mentoring program
is limited annually by the number of willing and qualified
mentors. However, it is ITE Western District’s intent that
every interested ITE member has access to one-on-one mentoring
over the next few years.
One-on-One Mentoring is an informal relationship
between the mentor and mentee for the purpose of developing
the talent of the mentee. The mentee is a developing junior
professional, and chooses a mentor from which to learn and
receive guidance. A mentor is a senior professional who has
experience in the area that the mentee is interested in developing
and is willing to steward the growth of the mentee. One-on-One
Mentoring is a partnership of two equals, both sharing full
responsibility for communication, growth, feedback, and providing
follow-through.
These one-on-one mentoring relationships exist
primarily to support the professional and career development
of the junior person. Mentoring relationships enable both
individuals to build new skills, prepare for advancement and
other growth opportunities, build self-esteem and self-confidence;
and in so doing, contribute to the fulfillment of personal
professional development and goals.
The process for selecting mentors and mentees
in the One-on-One Mentoring Program involves submitting an
application, completing interviews, and making a final selection.
After mentors and mentees are selected, they will participate
in a Mentoring Skills Workshop to gain awareness and critical
skills for building a successful mentoring partnership.
For additional information you
may contact:
Patricia Camacho de Cano
DKS Associates
1000 Broadway, Suite 450
Oakland, CA 94607-4039
Tel: (510) 267-6602
Fax: (510) 268-1739
Email: mpc@dksassociates.com
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