MENTORING
APEGA Mentoring Program Goes Provincial
APEGA's Mentoring Program has expanded to all 10 Branches, allowing Members from across Alberta to connect with mentors and mentees within their regions. We’ve also launched distance mentoring, bringing together professionals from different communities — no travel required
Volunteering on APEGA's Peace Region Branch Executive is one way that Youssef Iskandar, E.I.T., is developing his skills as a young professional. He took on the role of Vice-Chair shortly after moving to Grande Prairie from Montreal in 2016, and this year he stepped up as Branch Chair. It was an opportunity to meet and socialize with fellow professionals, but the experience has also helped him build valuable leadership skills. As his career advances, Mr. Iskandar is looking for other opportunities to grow as a professional. The recent expansion of APEGA's Mentoring Program is helping him do just that. In October, the program expanded to all 10 of APEGA's Branches provincewide, from Lethbridge to Fort McMurray and beyond. Previously, it was only available to Members in Edmonton and Calgary. Mr. Iskandar was one of the first Members from a satellite Branch to sign up. He's seeking a mentor to guide him in his mechanical engineering career. "I’m hoping to be linked with someone in a similar field," says Mr. Iskandar, Sawmill Maintenance Team Lead at the local Weyerhaeuser plant. "Most of the Professional Engineers I meet locally are working in consulting or in oil and gas, so engineers with senior mechanical engineering experience are scarce." Because of that, he's open to finding a distance mentor, which is a new option for participants who can't find a local match. APEGA's online matching soft-
ware can connect them with professionals outside their region. Conversations between distance mentors and mentees can be conducted using technology such as FaceTime, Skype, phone, or email — whatever works best. That suits Mr. Iskandar just fine. "My priority (for a mentor) is their background and what field they work in. Location is less important.” For those who prefer a local match, we ask for your patience while the expanded program matures. It may take time to build a list of mentors within the new areas, due to their smaller populations. But as the database grows, we expect there will be more local matches to choose from. BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION APEGA's Mentoring Program launched in 2005 and has a strong history of connecting experienced Professional Members with less-experienced Members through formal mentoring partnerships. Participants sign an agreement that outlines their commitment, including expectations and measurable goals. Mentees are often looking for senior professionals who can share their insights on essential workplace skills or provide career advice. Many mentees are international graduates interested in learning more about Canada’s workplace culture. And many mentors are also international graduates, offering the perspective of someone who has made the transition into a professional and societal cultures. They’re invaluable to the program because of the success stories and advice they share. Improvements to the Mentoring Program over the past few years have helped us make it even better. Technology — like the previously mentioned online
QUESTIONS? Email mentoring@apega.ca
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