Mentorship - Benefits

Mentorship Program runs from September - June

Mentoring is a valuable and positive experience, benefiting both Mentor and Protégé. It is not a direct means of securing employment. However, it is worthwhile and genuine experience that belongs on your resume.

What exactly is mentoring?  Training, coaching and mentoring are similar, but differ in process and end result.  Whereas in training an expert delivers prescribed skills or knowledge, and is dependant on student engagement, coaching is a collaborative partnership which sets goals and specific action steps for extraordinary results (think sports).  Mentoring differs in that it is a volunteer collaboration in which an experienced individual and a novice work together to help the novice grow in a specific field.  Mentoring realizes a real improvement in competence, focusing as it does on the protégés needs at a specific and personal level.

Becoming a mentor is a definite commitment.  A meeting schedule is set up; two to four hours per month in person are required; agendas are encouraged; accountabilities and objectives should be drafted.

Why assume this responsibility then?  Commitments notwithstanding, the rewards are many.  There are practical rewards:  points toward CHRP membership renewal; powerful addition to your resume, exemplifying altruism and leadership.  The personal rewards are far more plentiful though.  You grow in skills such as active listening, questioning, constructive challenging, empowering, practicing and developing objectivity, patience and giving feedback.  You may learn new approaches and ideas and increase your networking arena.

Your role as a mentor provides a safe environment for your protégé to admit to lapses in knowledge or skills.  You may provide the reality check needed to help your protégé develop future goals.  You offer a dispassionate viewpoint, without bias or malice.  You may, in providing encouragement and seasoned realistic feedback, be the catalyst to your protégés future by fostering motivation and confidence.  And ultimately, while helping a fellow Human Resource (or other) professional or student, you yourself grows as a person, as a leader.

And, what about the protégé?  What is in it for you?  The benefits seem self evident:  a safe environment in which to admit to gaps in knowledge or skill; a reality check aiding in a rational assessment of priorities; insight and encouragement, culminating in increased confidence, motivation and growth.

All participants from our pilot program agreed that they would recommend this program, with comments such as, "Yes, I have already spoken to friends about this program" and "I got much more from this experience than expected".  Suggestions for improvements were made, with requests for sample goals, topics and expectations; in general participants requested more direction.  These ideas will be addressed in the next session.

More comments from our participants:

"I wish I had this type of program when I had first got into the HR field, great program!"
"Thank you Grand Valley for making this opportunity available to our members."

For more information please contact :


Christine McIver via email at cmciver@rogers.com