Join the Mentoring Program:
Mentors: We accept Mentor applications on an ongoing basis. Click here for the Mentor Application.
What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is a professional relationship in which an experienced person (the mentor) assists another (the mentee, mentee or protégé) in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the less-experienced person’s professional and personal growth. Thus, it is basically a learning and development partnership between someone with skills and expertise and someone who wants to learn.
The purpose of the PMI Portland Chapter Mentoring Program is to foster professional development and advancement in project management by connecting individual mentors and mentees beyond the immediate working environment.
What does the Mentoring Program provide?
Our mentoring program provides the following to mentees:
- The ability to learn from experienced project managers.
- An opportunity to reflect on the effects of personal attributes and behaviors on successful project management.
- Aid in defining professional goals and using relevant methods to achieve them.
- Access to an alternate line of communication (for personal and work issues).
And for mentors:
- Enhance leadership skills by sharing their knowledge and experience.
- Act as guides and advisors.
- Create an innovative environment for inexperienced project managers.
- Grow their reputation within and outside their community
NOTE: The PMI Portland Chapter Mentoring Program does not provide (either as an entity or through its mentors):
- Psychological counseling
- Actual jobs or job referrals (This service is provided to Chapter members by the PMI Portland Chapter Jobs Forum.)
To reach a wider audience and make a bigger impact for the profession, we have created three tracks of mentoring service: Basic Project Management career and problem-solving, PMO / Portfolio Management mentoring, and career guidance for Military Veterans in the project management profession. The Basic Project Management track is open to all. The PMO/Portfolio Mentoring Track is targeted at project managers that are ready to move into the Project Management Office or manage a portfolio of projects, and mentees in this program must have at least 5 years of project management experience. The Military Veterans Track is targeted at providing veterans who have received project management training in the military guidance in the business sector.
What are the participation requirements?
Requirements for Mentors:
- Complete and submit the mentor application
- Background and experience in various levels of management
- Minimum of five years’ experience as a Project Manager (current or retired)
- PMO/Portfolio Mentors: 5 years of experience with PMO or Portfolio management
- Military Mentors: Military project management experience
Requirements for Mentees:
- Complete and submit the mentee application
- $25 application fee ($20 for members, $15 for Student Members)
- PMO Mentee: 5 years of project management experience and desire to move into the PMO/Portfolio management
- Military Mentee: Military background and a desire to move into the project management profession for the Veteran’s program
Requirements for ALL Program participants:
- Commit to a minimum of six months’ mentoring partnership
- Commit to meet on a regular basis – estimated at one half-hour per week minimum (Actual time spent is based on agreement between mentor and mentee.)
- Participate in the mentoring program surveys
- Notify the administration if there is any difficulty in goal-setting or mentoring progress