WEST Dynamic Pod Mentoring

In the fall of 2020, WEST will pilot a non-traditional, dynamic pod mentoring program.

Program Mission:

To help mentees achieve a personal or career goal by using novel small mentoring groups (pods) to obtain diverse perspectives that will provide an enriching experience for mentees and enable execution on goals through focused actions.  

Program Overview:

The 2020 pilot program will be small with 8 mentors and 20 mentees. It will consist of four 2-hour sessions. Mentors and mentees will participate in:

  • A kickoff meeting on 9/29 (with training information, goal setting exercise, 1 sample pod session) 
  • 3 meetings on 10/13, 10/27, and 11/10 (includes networking and 2 pod sessions in each 2 hour meeting)  
  • Total time commitment: four bi-weekly meetings, starting at 6:00 pm and ending at 8:00 pm 

In each session, mentees will:

  • Explore up to 2 topics, with feedback from 1 mentor and up to 3 mentees (i.e., a pod) per topic
  • Expand their network with 30 minutes of structured networking 
  • Discuss a specific challenge/goal and come out with concrete and actionable feedback

The cost of participation for the pilot program is $50, currently open to WEST members only. If you need a scholarship to cover the cost of a spot in this mentoring program, please email [email protected] to apply. 

Key features of the program:

  • Pods consist of 1 mentor and 1-3 mentees who will rotate to 2 different breakout rooms to discuss long-term goals and current challenges, and together develop actionable strategies for addressing both.
  • Discussions will occur in small groups (pods). Each mentee participates in 2 pods per meeting, maximizing opportunities to receive input from several different mentors and peer mentees.
  • Rotating pod structure offers a unique opportunity to discuss two topics (the same or different) and participate in a large-group facilitated networking during each 2 hour meeting.

Topic Selection:

  • During the application process, mentees will rank the topic list below and can add their own suggestions. This also allows us to ensure appropriate mentors are present.
  • Mentees will have the opportunity to reprioritize their preferred topics prior to each meeting. This customization is a key feature of this dynamic pod program.
Sample Topics 
  • Personal Growth
  • Interpersonal Relationships
  • Work/Life Considerations
  • Leadership: Personal
  • Leadership: Team
  • Leadership: Strategic
  • Career Progress
  • Transition
  • Entrepreneurship 

Who should apply:

 

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