Ready For New Experiences? Try Mentoring

I am thrilled to participate in a new initiative sponsored by Otterbein University, the Otterbein Women and Leadership Mentoring Program.  It's a year-long program that matches Otterbein female students with women in the surrounding community who share common interests. There are over 70 participants in the program.

I have been matched with a wonderful young woman, Alexandra Shaffer, who has interests in writing, editing and publishing. (A perfect match for me!)

During a recent gathering where other mentors and I met our mentee matches for the first time, program staff gave everyone time to brainstorm important aspects of effective mentoring relationships.  Alexandra and I discussed our shared goal of experiencing new things as a way to grow together this year. In addition to helping Alex experience the world of publishing, she and I will do things that we have collectively or individually never experienced.  I am very excited to start building our lists.

It doesn’t take a formal program to become a mentor or a mentee, but I am thrilled that Otterbein has launched this program to help connect its students with women in the community. It's going to be a great year that promises to expand Alex's and my horizons.

Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month?  Check out these resource and news links:

(NPR) Why Do So Few Women Have Mentors? http://www.npr.org/2011/12/14/143707496/why-do-so-few-women-have-mentors

(Harvard Business Review) Know Which Kind of Mentor You Need  http://links.mkt3142.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MzA4MDA0NAS2&r=Mzc4ODk4NDk2S0&j=MzczNjM0NzES1&mt=1&rt=0 

National Mentoring Partnership, National Mentoring Month Organization http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/

Corporation for National & Community Service http://www.serve.gov/mentor.asp

(SBA) Steps to Finding a [Small Business] Mentor http://www.sba.gov/content/steps-finding-mentor 

TaKeysha Sheppard Cheney is the founder of The Women's Book, a publishing company that shares inspiration and resources.  Learn more at www.thewomensbook.com