Celebrating the Power of Relationships
January is National Mentoring Month, and Georgia Tech employees are encouraged to join Tech’s mentoring program, MentorTech, to maximize their career development this year.
If you would like to help empower others or are interested in pursuing your professional growth in 2025, create a mentor or mentee profile. Register by Friday, Jan. 31, to potentially be matched in February.
The MentorTech program is designed to foster the professional development and career growth of Georgia Tech employees while building diverse networks across the Institute.
“My mentor, through his years of experience, not only provided invaluable insights but also took the time to understand my unique strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations,” said Walaa Compton, faculty support coordinator with the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute. “Through his guidance, I was able to see a specific situation from a different angle, and sometimes that’s all we need to change direction. I will carry his advice throughout my career.”
With the new year comes new resolutions. Have you thought about what you want to achieve professionally? Or better yet, have you thought about who can inspire and challenge you?
Whether you want to learn new technical skills, get more certifications, strengthen your leadership skills, obtain a new job, or make a career change, during National Mentoring Month and all year long, a mentoring professional can be a powerful asset to inspire and challenge you in your career development.
“I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the process, namely that the mentees are the only ones learning. The partnership between the mentor and mentee creates a mutually beneficial relationship, said Tim Edmonds-King, learning consultant and MentorTech program manager in Workplace Learning and Professional Development. “Both develop, are challenged, and can set up a successful relationship where both achieve their desired professional growth.”
Thinking Ahead
Before you start your journey to a professional partnership, it is imperative to identify your short- and long-term goals. Consider writing out and visualizing the types of positions, certifications, and skill sets you would like to obtain. Setting SMART goals will also provide a more strategic and proactive approach to your mentor-mentee interactions.
Quality Professional Partnerships
It is important to understand that a mentor does not necessarily have to be a person in a senior management position. They could be a colleague with ample experience, a faculty member with connections to your field of expertise or even a seasoned professional in a field that you are trying to enter.
MentorTech is designed to strategically pair you with a professional partner, matching you with a mentor based on your set of relevant competencies and a personality assessment. The program’s number one priority is ensuring the quality of each match.
“I highly recommend the program for prospective mentors or mentees. I began as a mentee in the MentorTech Program, have now mentored several participants and have gained as much as given valuable insights and information,” said Donna Ennis, interim vice president of Community-based Engagement at the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute. “Mentoring is a passion of mine, and the program’s structure allows me and my mentee to set goals and review our successes, all while building a meaningful, long-lasting relationship.”
Community Involvement
MentorTech has existed on campus since 2018. Since then, many professional partnerships have developed that benefit the Georgia Tech community. However, even with that growth, there are additional opportunities for new communities and individuals to plug in and help the program flourish.
If you would like to be involved in the program, register by Jan. 31 to potentially be matched in February. Questions about the program can be directed to training@gatech.edu.
You can create a profile at pe.gatech.edu/wlpd/programs/mentortech.