PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
“I really like to interact with people, I want to help others, and I have great pride in my profession and want to give back to it” TOM GREENWOOD-MADSEN, P.ENG., FEC, FGC (HON.) Principal Engineer, ATCO Electric APEGA Mentor
The program he supports so much has been on hiatus for nine months as we looked for ways to match a growing number of participants more effectively and efficiently. It’s continued to grow over the years, reaching more than 400 participants before the pause. Currently, there are about 120 matched pairs of mentors. Existing mentoring relationships continued during the hiatus, but we did not accept new registrations. NEW ONLINE APPLICATIONS: MENTORING MATCHES MADE EASY Our new online mentoring software will enhance and expedite mentor and mentee matching. We started testing the user-friendly software this summer, and we expect it to go live by the end of September. APEGA Members who want to sign up — either as mentors or mentees — will complete a simple online application, using their mo- bile device, laptop, or standalone computer. Interested participants will be asked to share details about themselves, such as: • discipline and professional designation • place of residence • industry or industries • age and gender • education
Mentor applicants will be asked to name the skills they can share with mentees; mentee applicants will be asked to name the areas they want to be mentored in. An applicant may also choose to up- load a resume, a photo of him or herself, and short personal and professional sum- maries. Filling out the application should take five to 10 minutes, depending on how much detail is provided. Each applicant attends an orientation session, after which his or her account becomes active. The applicant will be able to log in and search the database to find the best match. Member privacy is important to us, so only the information required for the search will be visible to potential matches, until after a match is finalized. Previously, APEGA staff used a manual process to find matches. This sometimes took from six to eight weeks. With the new software, we’ll be able to create more customized and timely mentoring partnerships — possibly within a week of participants attending an orientation session. Not only will it be faster, but the software will also provide more exact matches, based on details applicants provide. It all adds up to a process that’s more effective, resulting in more successful mentor-mentee relationships. To start, we’re launching the new software for Members in Calgary and Edmonton. We hope to open the process up to Members for our other eight Branches across the province in early 2017.
APEGA’S Mentoring Program JOIN IN 7 EASY STEPS 1 Complete our online application form. 2 Attend an orientation session for tips on how to get the most out of your mentoring relationship. 3 Use our new software to find the most suitable match in our database of available mentors and mentees. 4 Request a connection with your match. 5 Get to know your match at a few informal meetings. 6 Sign a mentoring agreement. 7 Start mentoring or being mentored.
• employment status • languages spoken
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