By Kathleen Federici, MEd
I had to complete two internships for my dual undergraduate degree. I was lucky that my university had a connection with a company that was set up half as a non-profit and half as for-profit, each with their own different names, letting me complete both internships at the same time. Since my hours were long, I was thankful both internships were under one roof. It was there I met my lifelong mentor and friend.
Even after I completed my two years of internships, our relationship grew. I bounced ideas off of her along with career decisions, employment decisions and while at university, academic decisions and opportunities. As we grew together, the relationship became a reciprocal mentoring relationship. She now turns to me at times for advice and inclusion in major decisions, to bounce ideas, celebrate opportunities, and offer support for each other in disappointments.
Mentoring is an awesome way to connect people to a greater path of knowledge and understanding. There are so many ways to mentor and be mentored. I was not intentionally looking for a mentor; I was just lucky enough to find one.
The basics at the start of a mentoring relationship seems to remain the same regardless of the type of program and can be defined as a learning and development partnership between two people, typically a more experienced person (mentor) and less experienced person (mentee). The relationship can last for various periods of time depending on the goals and experiences of those in it.
IPI has heard various CAPPs-to-be voice a wish for a mentor—a CAPP to answer questions on the process and program but also perhaps provide some guidance on professional and career development. And we have good news—IPI is in the process of formalizing a CAPP mentoring program!
Think about whether you’d like to be mentored or mentor someone else and look for an announcement this spring!
Kathleen Federici, MEd, is IPI’s director of professional development.