One way to Get Connected to your profession is to join the Mentoring Program. The goal of this program is to help promote the professional development of newer members and facilitate the building of professional relationships between newer members and veteran members.

The NABE Get Connected Mentoring Program will pair senior NABE members with new or junior NABE members to facilitate the transfer and exchange of information between members through one-on-one relationships. All members of the national NABE may apply for the program.

However, please note that students are not eligible to participate in the program.

A Mentoring Committee has been formed at the national NABE level to administer the program and coordinate the pairing of individuals. Matches will be arranged outside of one’s organization. While it would be ideal to pair mentors and mentees who are geographically close, priority will be given to pairing individuals who have mutual professional interests. Participants will be asked to set guidelines for structuring the mentor-mentee relationship and exchanges (frequency of meetings, duration, and topics of interest).

Matches will be made in late July and the participants will be informed and introduced to each other at the beginning of August. The program will run for one year. The deadline for applications for the 2011-2012 mentoring program is Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Why A Mentoring Program?

What are the benefits of the mentoring program. For the mentees:

• Aid the professional development of the mentee by facilitating an opportunity to tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience from an objective third party
• Develop a broader view of one’s profession and potential career paths by increasing exposure to different ideas and experiences
• Provide an opportunity to build networks and establish professional relationships
• Provide exposure to leadership and more senior business economists
• Receive feedback without formal evaluation and competing motivations
• Provide a different perspective: on business and economic developments, on ways to better perform one’s current job, on work demands at more senior levels, on work environments/cultures

For the mentors:

• Help crystallize and reflect on their own experiences and career lessons, enabling them to build on their experiences
• Provide exposure to new trends and economic concepts/techniques
• Provide an opportunity to expand networks and foster professional relationships
• Provide an opportunity to develop other business economists’ careers 
• Provide an environment to build and enhance coaching and mentoring skills
• Provide exposure to the culture and practices at other organizations (e.g., within or outside one’s industry or academic environment)

Next steps

NOTE: The deadline for applications has now passed and the program is closed. The program will re-launch in June 2012. Please check back with NABE for more information.

Mentors: Fill out this quick online application and waiver form.

Mentees: Fill out this online application form.

 

 

Alternatively, you can download this waiver form, print and sign it, and send it to the NABE office by mail or by fax. You will, however, still need to fill out the online application above.

Find out more about the program by downloading the Guide.