The Younger Actuarial Network "IDEA" Mentoring Program for Mentors

What is the objective of mentoring program?

Provide protégés access to mentors who can serve as a counselor, advisor and confidant to turn to with questions and concerns about personal growth and actuarial profession. The interaction between a mentor and a protégé will promote educational and networking opportunities.

What is an "IDEA" mentoring program sponsored by Younger Actuarial Network?

1. Cultivate Interest in being an Actuary in today's world
2. Provide protégés Direction in various stages of their professional development
3. Educate on new ideas, areas of practice and growth opportunities
4. Spur to Action, encouraging protégés to be proactive and to take responsibility for their professional growth

Minimum Requirements

• ASA or FSA with at least 3 years of experiences in insurance or financial industry
• Be willing and able to devote the time needed to develop a positive and effective mentoring relationship ( 1–2 hours at least quarterly)

How does the process work?

1. Contact Ashwini Vaidya at ashwini_a_vaidya@yahoo.com to inform her of your interest. Please attach the following form and a brief note introducing you.
2. We will update our mentor database with your information.
3. We will confirm your interest in participation, accommodating your preferences.
4. Once the mutual interest in proceeding is confirmed, we will provide you the protégé's profile and contact information. The rest is up to you! If you prefer, we can facilitate the first meeting for you.
5. Periodically, we will contact you to get your feedback on how the mentor-protégé relationship is working. Please feel free to contact Ashwini with comments, concerns and questions.

Ground Rules for Mentors

• Do not mentor more than 2 protégés at a time
• Play a partnership role with your protégé in his or her development
• Respect each other's knowledge, time and commitments
• Be sensitive and responsive to the goals, needs and perspectives of the other
• Maintain confidentiality on discussions between you and your protégé
• Mutually hold expectations and agree upon mentoring activities
• Free and honest expression
• Have fun

Guidelines for Mentors

1. During the initial stage, protégé is more interested in getting to know how "real" you are and how much he or she can trust you. Be patient! Don't try to speed up the process by going out of your way to accommodate your protégé.
2. Let your protégé initiate the first contact but both should exchange copies of CV beforehand so each will have them on hand for the first discussion. Your CV provides a base with which you can point out key steps in your career that were particularly valuable along the career path.
3. Engage your protégé in conversation about him or her, suggest topics to discuss, and ask if you can offer advice.
4. Ask your protégé to share his/her goals for the upcoming year as well as more long-term goals, as a starting point for discussion.
5. Set realistic expectations and goals for your protégé. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate improvements.
6. Be explicit with your protégé that you are only offering suggestions and they should be weighed along with advice received from other mentors.
7. Provide challenging ideas that will inspire the protégé.
8. Make only positive or neutral comments about your protégé to others.
9. When criticism is offered, it should be followed by constructive advice for improvement. If possible, specific examples should be offered.
10. As a friend, you can share and advise but know your limitations. Don't be afraid to say I do not know.
11. Learn from them
12. Consider introducing your protégé to something or someone new

Meaningful Quotes on Mentoring

Mentors grow out of a shared experience and mutual respect that develops from that shared experience, and the recognition that the relationship is beneficial to both parties.–Natica del Valle von Althann, Managing Director, Citibank

An effective mentor suspends judgment of a protégé's thoughts, feelings and actions. Instead, the mentor accepts them and works to help the protégé understand how each might influence achievement of his or her personal and professional dreams.–W. Brad Johnson and Charles R. Ridley, authors of "The Elements of Mentoring"