Having a good mentorship program is like having a good sandwich. It can seem kind of cheesy, and at first might have too many layers, but once you really get into the meat of it, mentorship can be a filling, energizing and even flavorful experience. Bolton & Menk's mentorship program provides an opportunity for mentors and mentees at all levels of the organization to develop a professional relationship intended to benefit both parties. The program provides many benefits including:
- Ability to learn from the personal experience of others
- Access to a professional resource and sounding board
- Insights for keeping on task and setting goals and priorities
- Constructive feedback to help improve performance
- Opportunity to improve problem-solving skills
- Increased awareness of corporate culture and opportunities
- Guidance on setting and achieving goals for work/life balance
- Opportunity to expand professional networks
Bolton & Menk employees Jason Femrite and Curt Brezina were paired up in September 2017 and met every other month until August 2018. At their meetings, they discussed everything from professionalism in the engineering industry to outdoor activities like deer hunting, fishing, kayaking, and snowboarding. Both being workout fanatics, their last meeting was appropriately spent at Jason’s hometown CrossFit gym getting in a workout and enjoying a protein shake at a nearby health-food restaurant. Being able to have conversations that don’t normally happen in the workplace while building a professional connection within the company was a selling point for the pair. They also enjoyed learning about similar characteristics that they share, allowing the two of them to have a stronger bond. Curt summed up his experience nicely, “To anyone contemplating whether it would be a good idea to join the mentorship program, don’t contemplate. Just say yes and the rest will take care of itself.”
For more information on the benefits of mentoring, check out these Ted Talks!
“Science of Mentorship” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh46lVSKWHc
“5 ½ Mentors that will Change Your Life” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quhcyPpCaSk
“True Mentorship Requires Bold Transparency” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmlbmeZuitA
