Paaia Mentorship program overview

2012-13 PAAIA Mentorship Program Video: Connect. Inspire. Empower.

The PAAIA Mentorship Program is a volunteer opportunity for both Mentors and Mentees.
PAAIA develops, facilitates, and manages the program but is not responsible
for its impact or consequences, direct or indirect, on those involved.

The PAAIA Mentorship Program represents one of PAAIA’s core tenets - to invest in the new generation by capitalizing on our top assets, our community, and professional leaders. Many young adults, taking the first steps in their professional careers, do not have access to the experience and counsel that is necessary in making appropriate career decisions. Recognizing this need, in spring 2010, PAAIA launched the Mentorship Program, which matches and connects young Mentees with experienced Mentor for a dialogue around how to identify and pursue their desired career and professional goals.

The program, open to PAAIA members for free, gives the younger generation access to industry leaders across the nation. The all-volunteer PAAIA Mentors are recruited from among the organization's members and associates. Mentees are selected through an application process and are matched with a Mentor for one-on-one meetings.

Objectives

• Offer Mentees an opportunity to network and gain access to valuable professional experience
• Provide Mentees with information that will positively impact their professional and personal life
• Provide Mentees with access to resources that will increase their career opportunities
• Provide Mentors with the opportunity to give back to the younger generation and the community’s in which they reside
• Encourage collaboration and establish a rapport between Mentors and Mentees
• Promote solidarity and interaction within the Iranian American community
• Create long-lasting relationships between participants and PAAIA
• Cultivate an annual PAAIA Mentorship Program class that works together and learns from one another

Application Process & Timeline

All applicants must complete and submit the PAAIA Mentorship Application Form (Word, PDF), along with a résumé to mentorship@paaia.org by 12:00pm (noon) EST on MONDAY, JUNE 4^TH, 2012.

A complete application should include the following components:

(1) Completed Application Form with Personal Statement

(2) Resume

Application and Program Process

Download and Complete an Application

Applications are available on the PAAIA and the PAAIA NexGen Websites at: /CMS/mentorship.aspx or http://nexgen.paaia.org/programs/mentorship.

*Timeline: The application process is open from May 7^th, 2012 to June 4^th 2012.

Submit an Application

Applications should be submitted by e-mail to mentorship@paaia.org by 12:00pm (noon) EST on MONDAY, JUNE 4^Th. The application form has several components, all of which must be completed. You are also required to submit a resume with your application. Applications will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Applicants are urged to ensure that they can gather all application materials in a form that can be e-mailed.

*Timeline: Applications are due by no later than 12:00 Noon on June 4^th 2012.

PAAIA Review, Selection, and Interview

Completed Mentorship Applications will be reviewed by an appointed selection committee. Mentors and Mentees will be matched based on career interests, geographic location, and professional goals. The Mentorship Program aims to help cultivate the next generation of successful Iranian American leaders and this is accomplished through a competitive selection process As such, PAAIA does not guarantee a mentorship spot to all applicants. Applicants in the final round will be interviewed via phone or in-person where possible.

*Timeline: Summer 2012

Mentees Notified

Mentees will be notified by e-mail of their acceptance into the 2012-13 PAAIA Mentorship Class. Subsequently, PAAIA will provide each mentee with the Mentee Handbook and provide guidance for best practices in a Mentor/Mentee relationship.

*Timeline: Late Summer 2012

Program Begins

The Mentorship Program cycle is from September 2012 through June 2013, Mentors and Mentees will meet for a total of at least 10 hours throughout that time either in person, over the phone, or via video chat.

Mentorship Framework

The Relationship between Mentors and Mentees

The Mentorship Program is intended to foster a sense of partnership based on communication and trust. The relationship between Mentor and Mentee should be a non-judgmental relationship operating within agreed boundaries of confidentiality and timeframe. Lastly, the relationship should offer all participants a way to get and stay involved with PAAIA and the Iranian American community at large.

Follow-Up/Feedback

We encourage both the Mentors and the Mentees to keep a log of their meetings. At the end of the program, we will ask both Mentors and Mentees to share the highlights of their experience with us to help us improve and adjust the PAAIA Mentorship Program. Any information shared with PAAIA will be treated as strictly confidential; we expect the Mentors and Mentees to respect the same honor code in the process.

With the participant’s permission PAAIA will portray and publish feature stories in our newsletter and website regarding the program.