Mentors

You would make a good Mentor if:

You like helping people by sharing your knowledge and experience.
You are organized and are able to take the time to discuss topics with your mentee on a regular basis.
You have been in the investment management industry for 5 years or more.
You have been in your current position for 2 years or more.
Your experience is focused on 1 or 2 particular areas.
Optional: You have some management/supervisory/team leader experience.

Mentor Guidelines:

Overall:

One-year commitment required.
Make a serious effort to building the relationship and keep an open mind. In the first meeting, your goal should be to get to know your mentee and what is important to him or her. What would that person like to learn from you and how can you add value?
The mentor committee will invite the mentor and mentee on a 10 minute introduction call to “kick-off” the relationship and make introductions. The mentor committee will be prepared with the needs of the mentee and strengths of the mentor.

First Meeting:

The mentor should take the initiative to schedule the first meeting following the introduction call with the mentor committee (drink, coffee, meal, social event, phone, video conf., webcam, etc.).
Create an agenda for the first conversation. The best overall agenda would include: goals and expectations; concerns; initial impressions; questions you have about each other; why you think you can be a worthy mentor and why the mentee decided to join the program.
Create a list of questions to ask. Position, how they got there, how long in the industry, what they’d like to get out of the relationship and PAICR, current/future career goals.
If your mentee is very new to the industry, you may need to help them by offering things you would have wanted to know when you first got into the business. Try to think about what it was like to be new in the industry to help form discussion points.
Set ground rules. Be clear about what they can expect from you (time, accessibility, etc.). Offer mentees access to all mentors (share contact list)
Listen acutely and ask powerful, challenging questions in a friendly way to help the mentee think about what he or she needs and can offer.
Be willing to connect the mentee to others in the organization that may be able to provide help in areas that are not your specialty.
Schedule date of next meeting or communication.

Ongoing:

Schedule meetings on regular intervals, at least quarterly.
Be as available as possible but be sure you are comfortable letting your mentee know if you are contacted at a time when you cannot talk.
Be responsive. If you are not available, get in touch with your mentee within 24 hours, or schedule a time that works.
Communicate and use all forms of communication. Email is often easier so if you schedule a monthly or quarterly call, perhaps you can be available more frequently over email.
Maintain privacy of conversations and assure mentee of confidentiality.
If you are in different locales, help connect the mentee to others if you have resources in that area.
Communicate to the mentoring committee contact if the relationship is not working.
Enjoy!

Mentees

You would make a good Mentee if:

You would like to develop a long-term relationship with someone who has been in the field for some time.
You are not afraid to ask questions and learn, while at the same time are respectful of the time of others.
You have been in the investment management industry or your current position for less than 2 years.
You want to grow professionally.
You have limited training resources at your own firm.

Mentee Guidelines:

The Mentor Program is completely voluntary. All mentors are participating because they want to. Therefore, it is important to be sure you are mindful of your mentee’s schedule and time.
Take advantage of the relationship with your mentor. They have experience, perspective, and a network to share.
The mentor will typically for initiate the first meeting after the introduction call with the committee, but don’t be shy if you need contact with your mentor before you hear from him or her. The same applies throughout the relationship.
Don’t be afraid to ask your mentor to help expand your peer and professional network through their contacts. It is one of the benefits of this program.
Building relationships takes time. This can be a long-term relationship that develops as you get to know each other better through PAICR events and one-on-one conversations/meetings.
If it’s possible, request personal meetings when time allows. If time or location do not allow face-to-face meetings, try to attend PAICR events when your mentor is able to attend.
Maintain privacy of conversations and assure mentor of confidentiality.
People who have had a positive experience as mentees often make great mentors.
Have fun!

Communicate to the mentoring committee contact if the relationship is not working.

Representatives of executive search firms and the investment trade media are not eligible for PAICR membership.