WOWE - Women of Wind Energy

Find a Mentor

The advice and guidance of a mentor can be a key success factor in your career. Want a mentor? Be proactive and find one through WoWE’s mentoring program.

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Career success requires more than education and willingness to work. Experts say that many successful people have benefited from having a mentor, a senior guide to the field, who can answer questions, point out opportunities, and smooth the way for a newcomer. Some mentoring relationships arise spontaneously, but not everyone is that lucky. How do you find a mentor if you don't already have one?

Launched in 2008, the WoWE mentoring program is the first program geared specifically for women working in or entering the wind energy field. It exists to connect mentors with people who need them. Because the program is Web-based, mentor and "mentee" can get together regardless of location. And because our fast-moving field keeps us all busy, the program is designed to make maximum use of time.

Find out more on our Mentoring Program FAQ page.

Why be a Mentee?

Being a mentee allows you the opportunity to tap into the experience and learning of professionals already in the wind energy industry. With your mentor's help, you can:

• Learn about your strengths and hidden talents
• Contribute to the success of your company and the wind industry
• Gain career growth and satisfaction
• Expand your professional network

Mentee role and responsibilities

Mentees come from a number of different backgrounds, but they have in common a passion for and openness to learning, and willingness to commit time and energy to the mentoring process. Responsibilities of a mentee include:

• During the registration process:
  
  
  • Fill out registration form and bio
  • Seek a mentor and request a match
  • Request help when needed; let program coordinator know of any issues or if you are no longer able to participate
  
  
• Discuss your expectations with your mentor: the amount of time you’d like to spend with your mentor, what you are really looking for through this particular match


• Create goals and a plan for your mentoring relationship and follow through


• Initiate contact with your mentor at the agreed-upon frequency. Be understanding if your mentor’s schedule is busy and don’t give up.


• Provide constructive feedback to your mentor and to the mentorship program; participate in periodic evaluations.


• Discuss confidentiality with your mentor and respect your agreement.

How do I join?

Mentoring sessions begin twice a year. Registration for our current mentoring session is closed.  We plan to open another session in early 2011.  Look for announcements then on the WoWE Yahoo listserv, Facebook page, and webpage.

The first step to getting involved in the mentoring program is to let WoWE know you’re interested.  Please tell us more about yourself and check the “WoWE Mentor or Mentee” box on the WoWE join form.  We’ll be in touch soon with further information, including the expected start date of the next session.

For more information about WoWE's Mentoring program, please contact the WoWE Mentoring Program Coordinator at mentoring@womenofwindenergy.org.

Think you or someone you know might make a good mentor?  Find our more on our Become a Mentor page.