Mentor Program
The Goldie Initiative supplements the graduate degree curriculum with practical, hands-on training and experience including an executive mentor program. Each Goldie Scholar is matched with an individual mentor who is an experienced senior real estate professional. Mentors are selected for their ability to serve as role models, their industry experience, and specific expertise in an area that enhances each scholar’s experience and interests.
The ideal mentor-scholar match is characterized by trust, communication, collaboration, and a free exchange of information, resulting in a dynamic, constructive and successful relationship.
About The Goldie Initiative’s Mentor Program
Mentoring is ultimately sharing experiences. The mentor program builds on the mentor’s willingness to impart career, networking and professional relationship lessons to assist the scholar in navigating through her own learning and career path. Through the mentor’s experiences and an established, professional line of communication, the scholar will move forward with greater real estate industry knowledge and stronger personal confidence.
Goals of the Mentor Program
- Mentors and scholars will create successful relationships characterized by trust, communication, collaboration, and a free exchange of information.
- Relationships will result in accomplishments for the scholars such as personal growth, career advancement, job placement, and/or increased business networks.
- Mentors and scholars will meet one-on-one regularly, in a format that is convenient to both participants.
- Scholars will improve their networking skills and access to targeted industry groups as a result of the relationship.
- Mentors will benefit from participation by helping to advance leadership opportunities for women in the commercial real estate industry.
Mentor Criteria
Mentors are selected for their ability to serve as role models, their industry experience, and specific expertise. Mentors are screened for the following characteristics:
- Expertise in a field of interest to the scholar
- Sensitivity to the scholar’s needs and expectations
- Time to devote to the relationship and corresponding schedule availability
- Communication and networking skills, including constructive feedback
- Problem-solving abilities that help the scholar grow as a professional
- Commitment to the importance of mentoring to achieve The Goldie Initiative’s mission
Mentee Criteria
The most successful mentees are those who are motivated and feel empowered to plan and manage the direction of their professional life. They take responsibility for their development, learning, and professional growth. They come to the mentor/mentee relationship open to coaching, feedback, and guidance from the mentor. The specific responsibilities of the mentee in the mentor/mentee relationship are to:
- Initiate and communicate expectations regarding the mentoring relationship
- Establish the mentoring agreement that outlines the terms of the relationship
- Collaborate with the mentor to identify competency strengths and weaknesses
- Meet with the mentor on a regular basis (i.e., monthly) or as established by the mentoring agreement
- Participate as an active listener when receiving feedback
- Track progress and participation in the Mentoring Program
- Establish a plan with mentor, such as an Individual Development Plan (IDP)
- Participate in program activities and additional activities involving program mentors
- Maintain confidentiality within the mentoring relationship
Responsibilities of the Mentor to a Goldie Scholar
- Within the first 6 weeks of the relationship, review and approve the mentoring agreement drafted by your scholar.
- Confirm the committed time to connect regularly with your scholar.
- Purchase tickets for you and your scholar to attend a minimum of two professional networking events each academic year (not including events coordinated by The Goldie Initiative). Accompany your scholar to the event and make introductions; provide tips on best practices for effective networking.
- Provide your scholar with an opportunity for job shadowing and/or informational interviews at your office or that of a colleague.
- Track your scholar’s progress in some way so you can be prepared to assess the relationship periodically.
- Consider building on your successful mentoring partnership by becoming more involved in The Goldie Initiative (e.g. serving on a committee, making a donation, recruiting others).
Interested in serving as a Mentor with The Goldie Initiative? Please complete our Mentor Interest Form.
Have a question? Visit our Mentor Program FAQ page.