eMentoring lets students get career advice from working adults

By Amy Crawford

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW  

February 28, 2010

Bobbie Jo Mack, a senior studying drafting and design at the Parkway West Career and Technology Center, was not sure what to do after graduation.

Mack, 18, of Montour was torn between architecture, which she preferred, and engineering, which her parents felt would be more lucrative. So she turned to a mentor, the owner of a local engineering firm, for advice.

“He told me whatever career path I chose should be my choice,” Mack said.

Mack, who now wants to attend California University of Pennsylvania for architectural drafting, communicated with the engineer through PA eMentoring, a new program that connects local high school students with adults in the working world.

The online system was created by Smart Futures, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that designs programs to prepare students for careers. After a pilot program last year, Smart Futures rolled out the system this year in 30 schools, with 500 students and 100 employers participating.

“There’s obviously a need for mentoring,” said Dave Mosey, executive director of Smart Futures. “The work place is so complex and the need for skills is so great.”

Unfortunately, Mosey said, logistics and legal issues make mentoring programs a difficult proposition for schools. The Internet, Mosey said, presented a solution.

“Schools don’t have to be responsible for the logistics of how to get mentors to the kids,” Mosey said.

The online system also work well for mentors, who are not required to take time off work for face-to-face meetings. Many area employers, including the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Bank of New York Mellon Corp., American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc., have encouraged employees to participate.

“It’s very convenient for both sides,” said Nate West, a software developer at American Eagle who is in his second year as a mentor. “If I have five minutes, I can write an e-mail.”

West, 26, said it was easy to identify with the teenage students.

“I remember when I was going through that,” he said. “I really didn’t have anyone to support me. These are 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders, so they’ve never been out in the work world before. I’ll often get students who are interested in computers, but they’re not really aware of what careers are out there.”

Mary Fore, a UPMC nurse educator, was paired with a student who wanted to be a nurse in an neonatal intensive care unit but also was considering culinary school.

“I’m hoping to help her make a really informed decision,” Fore said. “I wish someone had been there for me. No one in my family ever went to college. No one even knew how to apply.”

Pat Gambridge, a program coordinator in the career and technical education department of Pittsburgh Public Schools, said more than 250 students there were involved with eMentoring.

“A lot of our students are in settings where they can’t ask people, ‘Should I continue my education, and how can I continue my education?’” Gambridge said.

Montoring “is the most simple thing that you can do to help students,” said Gambridge, who signed up to be an eMentor herself.

Smart Futures is still looking for eMentors, said Mosey. Anyone interested in mentoring is asked to visit pa-ementor.org.

To keep up with all of the latest Smart Futures news join our Facebook fan page!

This page will keep you updated on all four of our programs: Keys2Work, My Career Journey, PA eMentoring, and Financial Literact 101. Click on the link below to join:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smart-Futures/324962407412?ref=ts

Women in Leadership

 “The Coro Women in Leadership Program is an excellent opportunity for networking, for building self-awareness, and for gaining a greater understanding of the strength and experiences of women leaders in our region.” – WIL Graduate, Julie DeSeyn

 The Coro Pittsburgh Women in Leadership (WIL) Program is a three-month, part-time training program aimed at providing an opportunity for women in the region to enhance their leadership skills and to build sustainable professional and social networks. Within this framework, the purpose of the Women in Leadership Program is to develop a stronger network of women leaders in order to create positive change for women in the Southwest Pennsylvania region.

 Program Outcomes

-       Participants will enhance their leadership and professional development skills through experiential and interactive training opportunities.

-       Participants will be able to effectively involve all sectors of the community to address issues by understanding, building and leveraging networks.

-       Participants will be actively engaged in their communities, including the Women in Leadership Alumnae network.

 Curriculum

The program curriculum is based on interactive and experiential training that assists women to position themselves for civic and professional leadership roles.

By understanding, building and leveraging local and regional relationships, participants work to create positive change for their communities.

 The Women in Leadership Program contains the following curriculum components:

-       Leadership skill development

-       Networking opportunities

-       Interviews with local leaders

-       Site visits to regional organizations

-       Group projects

-       Individual Action Plan

-       Personal coach for mentoring

 For more information and to apply visit www.coropittsburgh.org/wil

Contact: Misti McKeehen at 412-258-2676 or mmckeehen@coropittsburgh.org.

 Early acceptance application date: February 1, 2010

Final date to apply: March 1, 2010

Program begins: April 10, 2010

Source: http://www.peer.ca/topmenbks.html

This is a great, easy read guide and resource book for those embarking on or involved in a mentoring relationship in the work place, either as a mentor or a mentee. Dr. Ambrose shares his considerable experience working in this field during the past 35 years. He addresses some of the common concerns about mentoring which most mentors have such as whether or not to give advice, the importance of empathy, the importance of listening and the timing of conversations.

Between sections are ‘Interludes’, true mentoring stories which add credibility to the book. There is humor throughout this highly recommended book which clearly brings out the life-changing impact a mentoring relationship can have on both the mentor and the mentee, even the work place environment, when they are both committed to the relationship. (Review by Peer Resources Network member R. Cox.)

Perrone-Ambrose Associates, Inc. (2008)
Chicago, Illinois
Tel: (800) 648-0543
Discounts are available on bulk orders and this is the kind of book you’d want to widely distribute to your mentors and their partners

Check out this new article on PA eMentoring (page 4) in the Pittsburgh Engineer, which is a publication of the Engineer’s Society of Western Pennsylvania.  Click on the link below to view in PDF format: http://www.eswp.com/PDF/PittsburghENGWinter09.pdf

A special thank you goes out to the Engineer’s Society of Western Pennsylvania!

Click on the link below:

Watch David Mosey and Candi Castleberry-Singleton Interviewed  

 On January 24, 2010, Smart Futures Executive Director David Mosey and UPMC Center for Inclusion Chief Diversity Officer Candi Castleberry- Singleton took a seat on the Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show to discuss the new UPMC diversity initiative and our PA eMentoring program!

Cick on the link below:

President Obama and Michelle Obama on Mentoring Month

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated National Mentoring Month by emphasizing the importance of being a caring adult in the life of a child at an event held at the White House on January 20, 2010.

President Obama issued a call to action for more Americans to mentor, stating that “…if compassionate, committed adults are willing to step up, then think about the incredible impact that we can have. Think about the potential that we will discover, and the talent that we will nurture, and the lives that we can turn around, and the effect that we can have on our schools and our communities and the future of this country. That’s the power of mentoring. That’s the purpose of what all of you are doing across America.”

During his speech, President Obama also recognized the partnership between MENTOR and Viacom Inc., a leading media company. The President applauded their strong commitment to America’s children.

The new partnership between MENTOR and Viacom Inc., is called Get Connected: Be a Mentor, Change a Life. Through Get Connected, Viacom will match its employees with students in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Nashville. MENTOR will serve as mentoring counsel and guide to ensure Viacom is executing first-rate, quality programming throughout the country and will provide the company and its volunteer employees with state-of-the-art mentoring tools and resources.

 
What area of Pittsburgh do you live?
The Southside

What day is it?
Thursday

Talk to me about your morning routine.
My Day begins around 7:00am. My Alarm goes off and the television goes on! I love to hear the traffic and weather report from the news team on WPXI! I am out the door by 8:30.

Do you commute to work? Do you drive or use public transportation. If this isn’t a work day – what are your plans for the day?
I work downtown so I usually take the bus to work, unless I have a meeting somewhere outside the city.

If you would like to disclose – where do you work? What do you like about your workplace? Is it close to where you live?
I work for an organization called Smart Futures. Our mission is to provide Career Education programs for High School Students across the state of Pennsylvania. We are home of the PA eMentoring program. PA eMentoring provides a rewarding experience for mentors to help high school kids get real about their future: who they are, where they want go, and how they can get there. From stay at home parents, mature college students to corporate workers, mentors volunteer less than 20 minutes a week with a high school student, using a 10 week curriculum that is structured, convenient, easy to use and done completely online. It’s the perfect way for someone with very little time to give back to our community — and its fun! Check us out! www.pa-ementor.org

Now let’s break things down by hour – give a brief update on what you are doing and where you are at the following times:
10am
I am hosting webinars, scheduling school trainings and catching up on email. I am enjoying a cup of coffee from Mocha Marianne’s (412 Wood St.) Great Coffee, Tea and pastries!
12pm
I am thinking about where to eat lunch! So many great place to eat downtown. You can usually find me eating lunch at Madonna’s, Mexico City, Landmark Tavern (1902), Easy Street, Six Penn Kitchen, The Lemon Grass Café or Mandarin Gourmet. If there is time, a stop at Macy’s to check out the shoes!
2pm
My afternoon is filled with staff meetings, strategic planning, school outreach and maybe a walk to Prantl’s Bakery for a cookie or two!
4pm
Wrapping up the day and catching the bus home to the Southside (10 minute commute!)

Talk to me about your plans. Anything exciting planned for this evening? Where are your favorite places in your area to spend a night out?
One of my favorite things to do in Pittsburgh is try new Restaurants and explore the city. My favorite places to eat are 17th Street Café, Café Dujor, La Tavola, Mojo Bistro, Dish Osteria Bar, Mallorca, Little Toyko, Milkshake Factory and Dozen. My favorite places to grab a drink are The Library, The Bar, The Doublewide Grill and Fat Heads.
As for Entertainment, I love the Steelers, the Penguins, the Pirates and the Pitt Panthers. It is fun to check out a game or two each season. I love to go to the movie, I love to shop! My favorite malls are Ross Park and the South Hills Village. I am a member of Phipps , I love the Carnegie Museums, and I enjoy catching a show at the CLO or the Benedum.
During the summer, I love to sit on my deck, BBQ with friends and enjoy the city skyline!

Are you a night owl, or are you early to bed early to rise?
I am an early riser! I love to get up, complete my ‘To Do’ list, and have the rest of the day to explore my city!

What does tomorrow bring?
Friday! A weekend to myself! Maybe a movie, Happy hour, shopping, a new restaurant! Oh the possibilities!

Why Pittsburgh for you?
Pittsburgh is a great city! I moved here from a small rural town about 7 years ago. It finally feels like home. Pittsburgh has so much to offer to a young professional! Cost of living allows you to explore the city and live in great neighborhoods.

Watch these three YoutTube videos from our January 13, 2010 UPMC Day of Service:

Smart Futures and UPMC Day of Service (@ Bidwell Training Center)

Smart Futures and UPMC Day of Service (@ CCAC)

Smart Futures and UPMC Day of Service (@ CCAC 2)

Friends of PA eMentoring:

 January is National Mentoring Month and the 21^st is Thank Your Mentor Day. We want to thank all of the eMentors! We are hosting our first ever eMentor Happy Hour and hope that you will be able to attend. The details are below.

 Date: January 21^st

Time: 5:00- 7:00 p.m.

Location: Engineer’s Society of Western Pennsylvania

Address: 337 Fourth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222

 There will be appetizers and the first drink is on us! Feel free to bring a friend, one you think might make a good mentor. If you are not an eMentor, and are interested in the program, stop by to check it out!

 Please RSVP no later than January 18^th, by emailing Romy Banks at rbanks@smartfutures.org or call at 412-288-3900 ext: 228. Hope to see you there!