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Advisory board mentorship program creates new opportunities for connections, networking, and growth

The Words CPWA Advisory Board Are Over Three Rows Of 3 Photos. The First Row Is A Man, A Woman, And A Man, The Second Row Is Two Women And A Man, And The Third Row Is Three Men

This article was written by Austin Dahl, College Possible Washington Board Chair

At College Possible Washington we created a mentorship program for AmeriCorps coaches and members of the Advisory Board.  Each coach is paired with one of the board members, based on the coach’s interests and goals. Some want to explore career fields, some are preparing for graduate school, some want practical advice about job searches and interviewing, and some just appreciate an outside perspective and general advice. The board members usually have one, and occasionally two mentees. The flexible format allows participants to decide on their meeting cadence, with most getting together around once a month, often over a meal or a cup of coffee. That environment fosters candor and a sense of informality that is different from an employee/supervisor relationship. The program is in its second year and is a hit with both mentees and mentors.

One of the reasons the program is effective is the differences between the mentors and the mentees. The mentees are in the early stage of their career. For many, College Possible is their first full-time work after their own college experience. The mentors, on the other hand have years of career and life experiences to share. They know the shortcuts and the dead ends, because they have lived them. For the mentors, it’s easy to talk about their experiences. They are happy to give a young person advice on how to navigate a thorny issue and hopefully save them time and hassle. I have explained to my mentees the intricacies of the hiring process from the employer perspective, and the best ways to navigate it. My favorite reaction from a mentee was, “Wow! I never knew that’s how it works, but I guess it makes sense.”

Another reason the pairings work well is a built-in affinity. The board members are drawn to get involved in College Possible, because they want to improve the lives of young people. The AmeriCorps coaches are just a couple steps removed from the students we serve, so it is not a stretch to include outreach to them. The coaches spend much of their week dispensing expert advice about college access and college success. When coaches are given a chance to receive some expert advice from a mentor, they truly appreciate it. College Possible Washington values the professional development of our AmeriCorps coaches, ensuring they feel excited and ready for their path after their year (or two!) of service. 

 

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