Recap - WWN Mentorship Program

October 27, 2016

The Working Women’s Network launched its first Mentorship Program in October 2015, with 100 participants. Throughout the year long program, mentees and mentors had the opportunity to create a mentoring action plan, build trust in a mind field exercise, make seed bombs and go on a bird walk at the Peabody Museum, and reflect on their experiences during the celebration session. In addition to the four formal sessions, two additional opportunities were offered: Mentoring Lunch & Learn – Your Personal Board of Directors – How to Maximize Mentors with Asha Rangappa; and Women, Wisdom, and Worth with Barbara Roche.

It has been the WWN Mentorship Program Sub-Committee’s pleasure to launch a program that has had such a positive impact on women from all over campus, with a variety of interests, backgrounds, and experiences.

Photos from the Celebration Session can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/wwnYale/photos/?tab=album&album_id=639439729556850.

Testimonials:

“I thought the program was great! It gave me a way to meet someone I’d not normally have met and made it easy for me to say, “What do you think?” It’s not always easy to ask colleagues about career advice and having someone outside my area with some objectivity made it easier. I appreciated the structured mentoring activities, but I really enjoyed getting together with my mentor one on one. She gave me some ideas and insights that have led to a tremendous amount of growth on my part. I can’t wait to give that back to someone else in the mentoring process!” -Barb Nangle

“It was invaluable to have someone who was willing to listen and ideate on my role and career – someone who really knows Yale.  And on a personal level, it was always a delight to meet with my mentor.” -Anonymous

“The WWN Mentorship program was a fantastic experience. Through it I was able to gain insight into the kind of work done in different departments across the university, and I was inspired to explore just where I could take my career at Yale as time goes on. It was especially helpful that my mentor was a fellow working mother, as I could share with her my struggles and concerns surrounding work-life balance and could learn from the tips she shared with me. I feel better prepared to continue navigating my career at Yale as a result of this amazing experience and thanks to my amazing mentor.” -Kristen Plock

“I consider myself blessed to have had a mentor with such a vast wealth of knowledge and experience. From the first meeting, my mentor and I created a special bond through which we were able to converse freely by sharing goals, aspirations and learning from each other. In retrospect, it is evident that my having acted upon the recommendations I received, the books I was encouraged to read, the places I was encouraged to visit – it all came together in the end. I experienced professional and personal growth coupled with a renewed vision to keep aiming for the stars. It was such a thrill to be a part of the WWN mentoring program.” -Pamela Bloomfield

“The WWN Mentorship Program is a much-needed resource for women at Yale University. During the very first session, mentors and mentees learned effective ways to communicate, set goals, and learn from each other. My mentor, Dean Michelle Nearon, and I, used that foundation to develop a fabulous friendship. Thank you!” -Adrienne L. Lucas

“The simple invitation to participate in the WWN Mentorship Program has blossomed into a wonderful friendship.” -Michelle Nearon

“I am thrilled to have been a Co-Chair on the Working Women’s Network Mentorship Committee, it was such a positive experience. The committee was a group of smart, talented and caring women who volunteered their time to help people make meaningful relationships as a mentor or a mentee. The working sessions were a good mix of group exercises, presentations and fun excursions. The exposure to the campus, people I would normally not have had contact with and methodology was priceless. It also provided me with useful tools for my own goals.” -Dana Lipnickas

“Having an advocate who supports you and listens to you is very important for both your personal and professional growth.  Jennifer Mendelsohn has been my ally during a very rough year for me.  I have found her advice, assistance and patience to be a virtue in helping me face some strong decision-making battles and I thank her for being my mentor and whom I can call now… my friend.” -Ronice Awudu

“The WWN Mentorship Program experience was phenomenal, and I consider myself very fortunate to have such an amazing mentor. My mentor, Deborah Stanley-McAulay, was there for me every step of the way in my transition to a new positon. She helped me and encouraged me to push myself and strive for greatness, even when I did not see it within myself. She was always there with a listening ear to guide me professionally and personally. She helped me focus and set career goals that I never thought of before. My mentor has become more than just that – I call her a friend! This experience was encouraging and uplifting. I look forward to one day becoming a mentor and helping someone just like my mentor helped me.” -Rochelle Goodwin 

If you are interested in planning the next Mentorship Program, please send an email to wwn@yale.edu.

-WWN Mentoring Committee: Melissa Goodall, Marinda Brown, Pamela Bloomfield.

Special thanks to Deborah Stanley-McAulay.