SMPS Call for Mentors and Protégés

The SMPS Austin Chapter is initiating a new Mentoring Program. This is a Members Only opportunity. Junior members (protégés) will be paired with experienced A/E/C marketers (mentors) from non-competing firms to learn more about marketing and business development. Once matched, mentors and protégés will meet once a month to cover a series of topics individually determined by the pair. Topics could include leadership skills, networking, professional effectiveness, career development, etc.

In general, mentors will have more than 10 years experience in the A/E/C industry while protégés will be asked to have a minimum of 2 years experience (to reduce participation from those temporarily working in the industry).

Tentative Program Schedule

• November 1, 2010 - Interested respondents will be sent a survey.
• Mid November - After survey responses are received, an application and outline of meeting topics will be sent out.
• Mid December - All participants are invited to a “Speed Matching” event in which each protégé will have 5 minutes to talk with each mentor. Results from this event and the initial surveys will be evaluated following the event to help determine matches.
• Mid January - All participants are invited to a “Meet Your Match” group event to announce the mentor/protégé partners.

From that point forward protégés and mentors will meet on their own monthly. Midway through the program the entire group will meet to share insights. The program will wrap up with a “Graduation” ceremony in October 2011.

Cost to become a protégé is $100. There is no cost to become a mentor.

This is an exciting opportunity for our more junior members to develop their skills through the insights and knowledge of our more experienced members.

If you are interested in participating in the mentoring program as either a mentor or a protégé, or if you have any questions about the program, please email Karen Ward at klward@terracon.com by October 29th.