Application Deadline for CSMFO Mentorship Program Approaching - March 21!
What if I told you there was a way that you could significantly advance your career goals by investing just a few hours throughout the year? Would you do it? Would you do it if you could increase your self-confidence, develop better communication skills, or learn from others’ experiences?
The CSMFO Membership Committee is putting the finishing touches on our second year of the Mentorship Program. The Mentorship Program focuses on carefully pairing members to provide participants with an opportunity to develop and expand leadership skills, build confidence, and provide leaders with a way to give back to their profession.
The program is open to all CSMFO membership types (commercial, municipal, and student). The program application allows you to indicate your preferences among several match criteria. For example, you are invited to participate as either a mentor or a mentee. You’ll even be able to convey preferences most important to you in a match.
Not sure you are ready to be a mentor? Being a good mentor does not require you to be an executive. Skill and experience in your job, a sincere desire to share your knowledge, and a strong commitment to fostering connections are the tools you need to be a good mentor. Don’t forget the mentee isn’t the only one who benefits from the mentor-mentee relationship. Being a mentor is a great way to enhance your own skillset, building your “soft skills” by developing experience as an advisor, gaining new perspectives, and expanding your network to find emerging talent.
So, are you ready to learn more about CSMFO’s Mentorship Program? The application period is open from January 30, 2023, through March 21, 2023. Once the application period closes, the program team will carefully match program participants based on several factors. Participants will be notified starting late March of the matches.
The program team wants to ensure a successful and positive experience for all participants by providing a variety of resources. The nine-month program will kick off with a webinar designed to review the program parameters and start the conversations. The program team will check in quarterly with participants for support and feedback. A library of tools and resources will be available to help build and sustain successful relationships.
After the initial kick-off, the matches will have the flexibility to shape their own experience. As a mentor-mentee team, you will decide your meeting schedule, goals, topics of conversation, etc. The program team will be available throughout the year to provide support and assistance.
As the nine-month period begins to wind down, the mentorship groups will be invited to a gathering at the annual conference. At this gathering, you’ll be able to meet (maybe for the first time in person), share your experiences with other program participants, and celebrate your successes.
The application period is here. Get your applications in. If you have questions, reach out to the Mentorship Program team leaders at mentorship@csmfo.org. To apply, please visit our Mentorship page.
