Mentoring

Mentoring is a powerful tool that is critical to the advancement of women and minorities, broadcast companies and the electronic media industry as a whole. Not only does it play a significant role in the development of an individual's career, it helps companies enhance the skills of their employees and improves diversity in broadcasting.

Though the benefits of mentoring are well established, the process still remains unfamiliar to many. The basic facts about mentoring are that it is easy, it takes very little time, and it is flexible, so that it can be adapted to any work environment.

What is Mentoring?

Mentoring is the process by which a more senior person contributes expertise and advice to assist a more junior person for the purpose of career development. Serving as a trusted guide, the mentor passes along skills, knowledge, resources and wisdom.

How Does It Work?

There are no set rules for the mentor process. In fact, mentoring is conducted in many different ways. For example, mentoring can be a one-on-one relationship, a group situation in which one mentor addresses a group, or a team approach, in which a team of executives mentors a group of less experienced employees. Mentoring can be a single meeting to address a specific problem, it can entail a series of meetings held over the course of a year or two to deal with ongoing career issues, or it can develop into a long-term role of support and guidance. Mentoring can be carried out formally as part of a company policy in which employees are matched with others through the human resources department. It can also occur informally as part of a friendship or a professional acquaintance. Either way, if you want to participate, you will likely have to take a proactive approach.

Why Is Mentoring Important?

According to the Federal Communications Commission, women hold only 35 percent of management positions in broadcast companies, and minorities only 18 percent. As a result, women and minorities are often excluded from the powerful networks that help propel careers to the highest levels. To integrate more women and minorities into management roles, companies are implementing various programs, such as mentoring, which have proven to be an effective, low-cost method for providing employees with skills, guidance and information needed to develop their careers.

Mentoring gives women and minorities firsthand knowledge and personal insight that they cannot get from reading books. Mentors gain satisfaction from developing the talents of others and by helping put them into the pipeline for advancement. Employers gain because career development programs like this usually translate into a lower staff turnover and higher job satisfaction. The industry benefits when women and minorities are better represented in senior roles, thus improving diversity at decision-making levels.

Keys to a Successful Mentorship

Share. A successful mentorship is based on the mentor's willingness and ability to share information, insight and career experiences with another person in an open and honest manner. The key is to establish a relationship based on trust and mutual respect so that the mentor can share experiences in a meaningful way. Just as important, the mentee must have a willingness to learn and to accept the expertise of his/her mentor.

Make Time. Although mentoring does not have to take up much time - a one-hour meeting once or twice a month could suffice - it does require a time commitment on both parts. Mentors should be willing to set aside a specified amount of time and stick to the agreed-upon schedule of meetings. Mentees should be considerate of the mentor's time and use it wisely.

Challenge. A mentor should push mentees out of their comfort zones and challenge them to grow and take on new projects that stretch their limits and prove their capabilities.

Mentor opportunities occur through local many AWRT local chapters. To find out more about mentor programs in your area, contact your local chapter.

Mentoring Testimonial

"...She spoke with such enthusiasm about her job as the Director of Women's Programming for ABC Radio Networks and Executive Producer of Satellite Sisters. I wanted to feel about my work the way she felt about hers. Thankfully, she seemed to really tune into me and the abbreviated story of how I arrived at this point in my life. Our conversation came to a close with her saying “I'd like to mentor you”.

Within days we were coordinating a lunch meeting, and shortly thereafter, she invited me to sit in on a show. That's when my mind opened up to the idea of producing for radio. It was as if she knew exactly where I belonged and she brought me right to it. She asked that I keep her abreast of my career search and promised to keep me in mind for any job leads she may come across. She kept her word. When an Associate Producer position became available in her division, she put me in the running. After a fairly intense interview and application process, I got the job. And I love it!"

~ AWRT Member