Does my match have to be local within my chapter?
No. You have the opportunity to decide if you would like your mentoring partner to be from within your chapter or from the broader WISE Community. Be sure to indicate your preference when you enroll.
My chapter is offering a "WISE Within" program. Is this the same?
No, the two mentoring programs are different. Some chapters offer a separate in-person program only for members affiliated with that chapter. Typically, the chapter program requires a six-month commitment and in-person attendance at group sessions. Participation in one does not preclude participation in the other.
Now that I’ve enrolled, how long will it take to make a match?
Because you are in the driver’s seat for this relationship, the length of time it will take for you to find a match is up to you. Completing your member profile and mentoring objective as thoroughly as possible will help potential mentoring partners determine if a match is a good fit. Typically, the mentee searches for a mentor, but it’s possible that a mentor may seek out a mentee. We ask participants to respond to requests within five business days and will send reminders if there are open requests.
How will I know if I’ve been requested to be someone’s mentoring partner?
You will receive an automated email request. You will be prompted to go to your My Mentoring Relationships page to accept or decline the request. You must click on Accept to begin the mentoring relationship.
A potential mentoring partner accepted my request. What happens now?
Congratulations, you’re now in a mentoring relationship! You will be provided with guidelines upon acceptance. Essentially, you will schedule a kickoff call with your mentoring partner and begin your mentoring journey.
How do I meet with my mentoring partner?
You will meet based on the preferred method(s) indicated in your mentoring profiles and as mutually agreed upon during your kickoff call.
How often should I speak with my mentoring partner?
The recommendation is at least once a month over the three-month period, with check-ins in between. However, we recognize you may need a shorter or longer time to accomplish your goals. Extending beyond the three-month mentoring cycle would be up to you and your mentoring partner. This should be discussed prior to beginning your mentoring journey to manage expectations and to avoid any misunderstanding. Decide on the best schedule based on the defined goals and availability.
Can I decline a request?
Yes, but there should be a good reason to do so. We encourage you to review their profile and mentoring objective to determine whether the relationship would be mutually beneficial. If your potential mentoring partner misinterpreted information in your profile, you may find her to be an inappropriate match. To decline a request, go to your My Mentoring Relationships page. Locate the request; click on the arrow next to the Accept button and select Decline.
Can I enroll if I am not ready to participate?
Yes, during the enrollment process you will be asked to enter a date on which you will be available to start. You can update this at any time.
What happens if a lot of time has passed and a match has not been made?
If your mentoring objective is complete and your search has been broad but you are still unable to find a match, please contact the WISE Within National Committee. While we will put forth our best effort to assist, enrollment does not guarantee a match as there are many factors involved that are beyond our control.
How can I access the WISE Within Directory and My Mentoring Relationships pages?
You will be notified by email after your enrollment has been processed, at which time the links to these and other pages will be visible when you're logged in. Your status must be active to access the directory.
I am a student member, and I keep getting an error message when I try to access the enrollment and other pages.
WISE Within is only available to professional-level WISE members. The program is goal-focused and aims to solve specific workplace challenges. Student members are encouraged to attend the annual Speed Mentoring Roundtables event(s) and to ask questions in the member community.