Andrea and Jacob’s eMentoring rapport started strong with the sharing of similar interests in their profiles and introductions.  With a common interest in science and physics, Andrea and Jacob had a lot to talk about.

 Andrea graduated from the Naval Academy and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program.  She spent a year in nuclear power training and then the next four and a half years operating nuclear reactors for the Navy.  Andrea recently got out of the Navy and now works in technical marketing in the nuclear industry for RagingWire Data Centers.

Andrea decided to become a PA eMentor because “I wanted to help high school students realize the full breadth of opportunities available to them in their post-secondary education/career. As a military veteran and current reservist, I wanted to make sure that prospective military members knew all the information possible about their decision.”

Jacob is an 11th grade student interested in science and math.  He plans to go to a college or a university for astrophysics.  His primary interest is astrophysics, but he also plans to study quantum, theoretical, particle and nuclear physics.

“My experience as a PA eMentee was insightful and I enjoyed it immensely.  Enabling me to have access to data and information, the eMentoring program provided me with the last bits of research that I needed to refine my college plans.  Exceptionally helpful and friendly, my eMentor gave me invaluable advice and answered every question that I asked, no matter how trivial.”

Katie is a 10th grade student at Belle Vernon high school. Because of her interest in engineering, Katie chose William, a Technical Specialist from Alcoa, as her mentor.

Katie and William’s rapport started strong as William broke the ice with an “old engineering joke”. Katie shared the joke with her father, who is also an engineer, and both had a chuckle. From that point on, Katie and William talked about engineering, perseverance and life experiences.

“I think the program is very enlightening and helpful when someone who is experienced is telling you about how they got to where they are. I think this program is really valuable to students,” says Katie.

William, who is a new mentor to the program, was matched shortly after he signed up.

“Participating as an eMentor gave me an opportunity to share my educational and career choices with someone at the point in her life where these decisions were being made. This started as a ‘trip down memory lane’ for me as I completed activities that documented my own career path,” says William.

“After being matched with my mentee through our common engineering interest, I was delighted to correspond with a bright, focused student who was clearly interested in making good choices for her future. It has been a pleasure providing additional data and personal insight to a student who I’m sure will make good use of it.”

Congratulations again to Katie and William. Your exceptional effort and dedication to this program is what makes it a success. Keep up the great work!

Towards an affordable, flexible, and comprehensive career guidance program for schools….

Smart Futures has now bundled its career education programs, including the powerful new PA Career Guides program, into one low-cost program package.  To the schools we serve, this means more online career preparation programming for less $$$.  New and existing customers will now have access to ALL Smart Futures programming at one low annual cost.  With the program bundle, many existing Keys2Work customers will actually pay less next year while receiving more program offerings.

The 2012 Smart Futures Value Pack  includes unlimited access to these career preparation programs:

  A career based skill improvement and credentialing  for grades 8-12; great for use within IEPs

Game-like website allowing students to create career plan within 2-3 hours of online play for grades 6-9

 – NEW!!!!  Online career guides lead students through a college and career planning process– grades 8-11

• Great for general education, special education and gifted populations
• 10 fun, flexible interactive online career education activities
• Activity completion leads to a personalized college and career plan for each student
• Over 1000 online career guides share their own experiences and thoughts about their path through college and careers

PLUS   Lets 25 students choose an online mentor who helps guide them through 10 career activities leading to a college and career plan for each student – grades 9-11. (value $1000)

PLUS  A Free financial education and certification program with modules for kids, teens and young adults; a partnership with Wells Fargo’s award winning Hands On Banking program.

Contact Diane James at Smart Futures to order or to upgrade to the new unlimited program bundle today — djames@smartfutures.org, 412-288-3900 ext. 236.

Kylie is a student in the Health Assistant II program at Parkway West Career and Technology Center    who plans to pursue a career in the Medical Field. Russell is a medical student who has worked at  UPMC in the past and has just completed a Neuropathology rotation within the University of  Pittsburgh Medical Center.  This particular mentor/mentee relationship has grown since their first  exchange.

Russell took his mentoring job in stride and began to jumpstart the thought process for his mentees future.  “I wanted to become a PA eMentor in order to help teenagers achieve their educational goals. The transition between high school and college can be exciting, confusing, and sometimes stressful” says Russell.  “I know when I was in high school, this time was especially hard. I didn’t know a lot about my options regarding institutions of higher learning, funding, or what my ultimate career goal was. I think PA eMentoring provides invaluable services to young people because it lets students talk directly to people that are in the same career that the student is interested in. This provides a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about their career path.”

Kylie knew coming into the program that she wanted to further her education and find a career in the healthcare field. “I chose Russ because he is a medical student. From my first glance at his profile, I could tell that we were very similar,” says Kylie.  “Russell completely changed my mind-set on college when he related his own personal experiences.  He gave me advice on where to go to college and even helped me choose a career to pursue.  All-in-all, I believe that my mentor and I have an awesome relationship.  He has been incredibly helpful.  Thank you Russ!”

Thank you to Russell and Kylie for your exceptional effort and dedication to this program!

Have you ever received a message from a mentee that validates your contribution as a PA eMentor? This month we are featuring a contest of mentor/mentee testimonials that show just how beneficial the PA eMentoring program can be. If you feel that your relationship with your mentee has gone above and beyond the call of duty, please submit a 300 words or less testimonial talking about your experience as a PA eMentor! Your PA eMentoring stories can impact and lead others to sign up as mentors and make a difference by sharing their career story with a high school student. The winning testimonial will be shared on the PA eMentoring website as well as receiving the grand prize of a new IPOD NANO WITH MULTI-TOUCH.

A case study was conducted by the PA eMentoring program with the Bucks County Workforce Investment Board to bring online career mentors to youths in their community. The Bucks County WIB purchased 12 classrooms (300 PA eMentoring licenses) for 12 schools in Bucks County which included, Bucks County Technical High School; Upper Bucks County Technical School, and Harry S. Truman High School (Bristol Township). This program was funded through the Bucks County RCEP which is the “Regional Career Education Program”.This program is a standing subcommittee of the Bucks County Youth Council. Funds were also made available from a RCEP grant. Volunteers who participated in the program came from differing career backgrounds which offered the students a chance to better connect with a mentor. The volunteers came from companies such as, Bucks County WIB; CBCC Women in Business; Career Link; Cumulus Media; Cheyney University; Child, Home and Community; Bucks County Housing Group; Mangor Inc.; Johnsrud Architects; Bucks County Assistance Office; Bracco Diagnostics Inc; CILBC; United States Steel USS; and Drexel University. Through this case study with the Bucks County Workforce Investment Board, 32 total career plans were made as well as 57 total mentor/mentee matches. At Smart Futures, we stand by our mission of helping kids “get real”- about who they are, where they want to go, and how to get there!

During the month of May we took a look at a relationship with the medical field acting as the cohesive bond. Mentor Terry S. and Mentee Stefanie A. have created a relationship with open lines of communication.

Stefanie went into the PA eMentoring program with a clear route cut out for her future. Going into the program, Stefanie knew that she wanted to become a nurse with a bachelor’s degree in science. With that being said Terry stepped right in and gave her insight, tapping into her mindset when she was in Stefanie’s shoes years ago.

Focusing on past experiences is a great way to break down the professional barrier of a mentor/mentee relationship in order to create a connection on a more personal level. Advice on how to get started or what route to take for their future is valuable to the mentee and a great way to form a relationship.

Stefanie A. ” I love kids and always want to be around them. Besides nursing, I have always thought of education as another job that I would enjoy and like to pursue. If I don’t go into teaching of some kind I am thinking of a medical job that has to do with children and caring for them.”

Terry S. – “How about Pediatric Nursing? I think that is a great field. I do camp nursing in the summer. I love the kids and I am also able to teach them a thing or two. I can remember teaching kids how to swallow pills, give themselves insulin injections, and how to handle other issues. You could then be doing two things that you like to do. Some of my students in the college class that I teach – work at Children’s Hospital and love it.”

This specific relationship between Terry S. and Stefanie A. is a great example of how opening up and being yourself can account for some of the most beneficial and informational PA eMentoring relationships.

Staying connected through messaging and activities is an essential aspect to the success of a mentor and mentees relationship. However, the relationship between Ryan T. from Belle Vernon Area High School and Brett B. from American Eagle Outfitters has raised the bar for great mentor and mentee rapport.
The introduction message is critical because it grants the mentor as well as the mentee the chance to provide a brief introduction. The mentee is able to list their career aspirations as well as their interests within and outside of their schools while at the same time, the mentors are able to give a brief overview of what their job entails as well as their interests outside of the workplace. From the first exchange between Ryan and Brett, their common interests allowed for a smooth and effortless conversation that opened the lines of communication from the beginning. The conversations between Brett and Ryan have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Aside from answering the questions at the conclusion of each activity, Ryan has brought it upon himself to ask Brett additional questions that will be beneficial in his decision making:

Ryan T. – “When you were a kid like me, did you have multiple options on what you wanted to do when you were older? I know some careers I would like to be part of, I just don’t know which one to pursue and which ones to forget about. All are somewhat similar but in college should I pursue just one or leave my options open to them all?”

Brett B.- “I had a lot of different interests when I was in High School and College. Deciding which road to take was really one of the harder things I had to do. Part of what is great about the college experience is that you are exposed to new ideas. You may come across something you didn’t even know you’d be interested in.”

Throughout the program, with the completion of each activity both Ryan and Brett have stayed on top of sending their messages. These messages allow for a brief discussion of what was covered in each activity. Nevertheless, Ryan and Brett have formed a relationship that is reminiscent to a friendship in the respect that the comfort level between the mentor and mentee enabled them to have honest and constructive conversations.
Both the mentor and mentee benefit from strong and productive relationships. The connection between Ryan T. and Brett B. is a wonderful example of the benefits of PA eMentoring. You too can have a fantastic relationship with your mentee; it is never too late to form a bond! Good Luck and we thank you for your continued support and participation!

The 500th eMentor has just joined the active Matching Pool this morning, March 9, 2011!! This is the first time we’ve hit this mark in our brief history. The more eMentors we have in the matching pool the more choices students have to choose an eMentor that they find most interesting. In the past 6 months, PA eMentoring has been recruiting mentors via two great online sites, Linked In and Google. The sign up rate from these two adds alone has proved to be successful. With at least 3 mentors a day signing up, we hope to hit close to 1000 eMentors by the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year!

“I’m so proud to be a part of PA eMentoring!!! Best thing I’ve ever done!!”

Patricia A. Gambridge
Program Improvement Specialist
Career & Technical Education

Thanks to all of you who have enrolled with PA eMentoring!