TMMBA Mentoring Program
A conversation between a TMMBA alumnus and student is usually one of mutual understanding around career paths and aspirations. It’s an easy genuine exchange. In fall 2014, a TMMBA Mentoring Program launched and 44 TMMBA alumni (mentors) were paired with TMMBA students (mentees).
The beginning:
For mentors and mentees, it started at the Program Networking Night on the evening of September 30th. The Eastside Executive Center, painted in Husky purple and gold, was dressed for the occasion. Tall cocktail tables draped in black floor-length linens were positioned so that mentees and mentors could mingle and learn more about each other.
Students submitted their mentor preferences after the reception.
Who are the mentors?
The community of mentors is ambitious and generous. They are respected business leaders from many industries, companies and functions from Consulting and Operations to Marketing, Data Analytics and Entrepreneurship. As mentors, they offer specific feedback and encouragement on important MBA career and professional development areas.
How is the Program designed?
The program timeline for mentoring relationships extends from October 2014 to June 2015. The expectation is for each pair to meet once per quarter (minimum) as well as be available for dialogue via e-mail and/or phone. This provides at least three in-person meetings for mentees before graduation.
What are mentees saying?
Two students shared feedback on how their mentoring relationship has complimented their TMMBA experience and professional development.
I’ve been working for a big company for almost a decade now and for some time have thought about what it would be like to start something of my own. While working for a big company has given me experiences that have helped polish and expand my technical skills, it has given me very little insight into what it would take to successfully run a company or even where to start. Through conversations with my mentor, I’ve been able to get a perspective of what it takes to start a company from the point of view of someone with a background similar to mine, who has been successful at it, and who had similar questions and hesitations to those that I’ve been having. Being able to ask questions and get honest and candid feedback has been a great compliment to the class lectures and discussions with classmates.
Another mentee said,
For one, I don’t think I would have been able to know my mentor if it wasn’t for the TMMBA program. That alone is a great example of the benefits that come with the program. Secondly, I feel that she is one person who I can trust and has a ton of credibility as an advisor in my professional development because of her accomplishments. Her career progression somewhat overlaps with my own situation, and that is a big reason why I wanted her as my mentor.
In one of our conversations, she reminded me about the big picture of doing an MBA. That has helped to reinforce a few things that I knew but tended to de-prioritize because of the everyday schedule. She provided some really good insights and perspectives. She has also forced me to think more deeply about certain things.
I feel I am ready to work on a tangible action plan based on her feedback. I plan to share my work-in-progress with her in our next meeting, and we’ll go from there!
What’s next?
We’re gathering midpoint feedback and will highlight more perspectives, from mentees and mentors, in a future blog. In summer 2015, we’ll hold Information Sessions for Class 15 to learn about the program design, timeline, and how to participate.
