About Us
Welcome to the Eritrean Professionals Mentoring Network, a community of experienced professionals dedicated to supporting young Eritrean-Canadians in achieving their career goals. We believe that mentorship is a powerful tool for success, and we are committed to providing a supportive and nurturing environment for our mentees. Our program is designed to help young professionals gain valuable skills, insights, and connections through one-on-one mentoring relationships with experienced mentors. We believe that our mentees have the potential to become leaders in their fields, and we are dedicated to helping them reach their full potential.
Mentorship Toolkit
Our Mentorship Toolkit offers valuable resources for both mentees and mentors to excel in their journey. Whether you’re preparing for an interview, refining your resume, or seeking guidance on career development, the toolkit provides practical tips, templates, and resources. Tailored to support professional growth, it’s your go-to guide for navigating the mentorship process, from setting goals to finding the right opportunities
Resources
The Resources page is a comprehensive collection of materials covering diverse topics beyond just career-building. It includes field-specific guidelines, professional development articles, and best practices across industries. For newcomers, we offer specialized resources to help you transition smoothly into your new professional environment. From networking tips to industry certifications and essential soft skills, this page is designed to provide in-depth support for your continued growth.
Thank you Telus for your Support
FAQ
What is the purpose of this mentorship network?
- To give back to the community and support the professional growth and success of the next generation.
- To provide guidance and support to young professionals as they navigate their careers.
- To foster a sense of community among young professionals in the same field or industry.
Is this program only for Eritreans?
No, this is not a network for Eritreans only. Anyone can join as mentor or as mentee.
In fact, as our membership pool expands, many of our mentors are expected to be from the broader community. It includes the moniker “Eritrean” because the initial founders are Eritrean.
How can I become a mentor or mentee on this platform?
Click on the Register buttons to fill out your application to join. You will then be contacted with an invitation to join our LinkedIn private group where you will connect with everyone in the network.
Is membership limited to Torontonians or Canadians Only?
Although this program is being initiated in Toronto, Canada. We expect that mentors and mentees will register from anywhere. The long term dream is for each city to have a local chapter that will connect mentors and mentees within the local community.
What is the time commitment to required for being a mentor or mentee?
Given that everyone involved is always very busy. The suggested time commitment is for one hour per month, for a limited period of six months per mentee. This implies six formally scheduled one hour meetings to allow discussions on various topics during each meeting. Of course mentor and mentee can decide to have more frequent meetings, if they so desire.
What qualifications do I need to have to become a mentor?
Anyone with sufficient professional, or life experience, willing to share guidance with a college student or a new comer looking for career transition is welcome to join as mentor.
Who can register as mentee?
Anyone who has completed high school, is in college, or just graduated; or anyone who is new to the region; or anyone who is considering career change or advancement are welcome to register as mentees and connect with a mentor within the network.
What are the benefits of being a mentor in this network?
1.Giving back to the community: Mentoring provides an opportunity to give back to the community and contribute to the professional growth and success of the next generation.
2.Personal satisfaction: Mentoring can be a rewarding experience, providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
3.Networking opportunities: Joining a mentoring program can lead to new connections and relationships with other professionals in the same field or industry.
4.Professional development: Mentoring provides an opportunity for mentors to reflect on their own experiences and skills, and to develop their leadership and coaching abilities.
5.Exposure to new perspectives: Mentoring relationships often expose mentors to different perspectives, ideas and ways of thinking, which can be beneficial for personal and professional growth.
What are the benefits of being a mentee in this network?
1.Access to experienced professionals and industry leaders who can provide guidance and advice on career development.
2.Opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge through the mentoring relationship.
3.Networking opportunities with professionals in the industry.
4.A sense of community and support from others in similar career stages.
5.Personal and professional growth through self-reflection and goal-setting with a mentor.
How are mentros and mentees matched?
Mentors are there volunteering to assist, it is up to mentees to promote themselves and decide on suitable Mentor to connect with. Mentees are expected to introduce themselves and anoounce what kind of help they need by posting on the ERI_PMN LinkedIn group. Available mentors will offer to assist, and the mentee then connects with the available mentor. If more than one mentor offers to help, the mentee is then expected to decide which mentor to connect with. Mentees are also welcome to do their research and find best matching mentors to connect with on LinkedIn.
How is the progress of mentorship measured and tracked on this network?
Mentors will share information about progress they are making with their mentees. Mentees are also asked to evaluate their experience at end of the six month period. There will be an annual awards ceremony to share results and acknowledge contributions and celebrate achievements.
What topics are supposed to be covered in each of the six suggested meetings?
The overall objective is for mentor to get to know the career aspirations of the mentee and have in-depth discussions about each identified topic to achieve the stated goals. There is a simple list of suggested topics to discuss in each of the six meetings. Click here to view the list.
Are there fees associated with joining this mentoriship network?
No, there are no fees associated with joining this network. This is a service purely driven by goodwill of individuals volunteering their time to help others.
What kinds of support and resources are available for mentors and mentees?
You will find a lot of reources and links to information on this website. Mentors and mentees will also be invited to join a private group on LinkedIn. This group will be a huge resource to connect with like minded professionals and ask any questions.
Are there suggestions on what topics to cover during each of the six Zoom meetings?
Because the needs and aspirations of each mentee are likely to be different, there is no one size fits all regarding what topics should be covered during each of the six meetings. The following list is an indicative suggestion of topics that can be covered:
1.Career development: Discussing the mentee’s goals and aspirations, and providing guidance and advice on how to achieve them, including setup of well developed LinkedIn profile page, identifying potential job opportunities, building a professional network, and developing skills.
2.Job search strategies: Helping the mentee to develop a job search plan, including creating a strong resume, preparing for interviews and networking.
3.Industry insights: Sharing the mentor’s experience and knowledge of the mentee’s industry, including current trends, challenges, and opportunities.
4.Professional growth: Helping the mentee to identify areas for personal and professional growth and providing guidance and support to develop these skills.
5.Navigating workplace dynamics: Providing guidance and advice on how to navigate workplace dynamics, including effective communication, teamwork, and building professional relationships.
6.Work-Life balance: Offering advice on how to manage the demands of work and personal life and how to maintain a good balance between the two.
Can mentors and mentees communicate outside the platfrom?
Yes. The objective is to have a mentor connected with a mentee, and then to have them schedule Zoom meetings to discuss each of the six suggested topics.
What are the expectations and responsibilities for mentors in this netwrok?
Mentors commit to engage with mentees over a period of six months only
Expectation is to engage with mentee via six one hour Zoom sessions
1.Providing guidance and advice: Mentors are expected to provide guidance and advice to their mentee on a wide range of professional and personal topics, including career development, networking, and skill building.
2.Act as a sounding board: Mentors should act as a sounding board for their mentee, providing an objective perspective on their mentee’s ideas and concerns and helping them to think through and solve problems.
3.Share their own experience: Mentors should share their own experiences and knowledge with their mentee, and provide insights and advice based on their own successes and failures.
4.Provide feedback: Mentors should provide regular feedback and guidance to their mentee, and help them to set and achieve goals.
5.Be available: Mentors should be available and responsive to their mentee, and should make themselves accessible for regularly schedule check-ins or meetings.