What makes our program different and special is that we emphasize “coaching-inspired mentorship”. This means that instead of focusing on giving advice, we equip our mentors to ask good questions, listen actively, share authentically, and empower their mentees to chart their own paths. Yes, there is a space for advice, but it isn’t the crux of the mentorship experience.

Not at all! Great mentors are people with experience to share who know how to do so in a mindful, open, and helpful manner. Girl Security provides mentor orientation materials and other resources to help new mentors find their own style and gain confidence in sharing what they have to offer and pulling out the best from their mentees.

Not at all! Girl Security is a non-partisan, non-political organization. We welcome mentors from all backgrounds and all political and ideological perspectives. Our only requirement in this regard is that your approach to working with mentees aligns with our organizational values of respect, accountability, patience, supportiveness, inclusiveness, and fairness. Girl Security adheres to the belief that maintaining an anti-partisan approach creates a much-needed space for critical thinking and collaboration.

The time commitment involves meeting with your mentee(s)at leastonce every two weeks, for a total ofat leastsix meaningful meetings together.

The application process involves a comprehensive intake form, in which you tell us about yourself, your interests, your preferences related to the program, and other information that helps us make a good match for you. It also involves the signing of the Girl Security Code of Conduct and Mentor Acknowledgement Form, a criminal background check, and a brief interview in which you share a bit more about yourself. The entire process generally takes a week or two.

At the completion of the process, you will be invited to join the Slack platform, which is the closed platform that we use for communications. A Slack account isrequired in order for you to be matched and to participate in the wider Girl Security community.

Mentors do not need to reapply each season. However, mentors need to reapply eachcalendar yearto remain active in the program. This is because personal information, circumstances, experience levels, job titles, and mentorship preferences tend to evolve. In order to make sure we are working with the most updated and accurate information – while also being mindful of mentors’ busy schedules – we require that mentors apply once per calendar year. Once you have completed your application process for the calendar year, you are good to go for each mentorship season (generally Winter and Summer) for that year.

Generally, one mentor is matched with one mentee each season. Sometimes, we match a mentee with two mentors (a “mentor team”). Sometimes, we match a mentor with two mentees. The arrangement for each season depends on the number of participating mentees and mentors at the time, as well as the particular interests of each mentee. All of the arrangements have value and have resulted in excellent mentor/mentee relationships.

We do our best to use the information provided through the application process to match mentors and mentees who we think will get along and have a lot to talk about. However, sometimes the chemistry just isn’t there. That is ok. Let us know as soon as possible in the season, and we will make any necessary adjustments.

Mentors are invited to be a part of our mentor community via the Slack platform and a dedicated LinkedIn group. Being a part of this community allows mentors to expand their networks and have access to a range of professional resources, volunteer opportunities, mentoring support, event invitations, and other information.

Yes! Most Girl Security mentors are so enthusiastic about our work that they offer to volunteer in other ways. Some of the ways that mentors contribute to our mission (aside from being in the formal mentorship program) are:

Absolutely. Girl Security will match you and your mentee(s) and turn things over to you to build the relationship. We will always be there to answer any questions you may have or to iron out any issues that may arise. We check in occasionally throughout the mentorship season, and offer opportunities for feedback and socialization among mentors.

The mentorship opportunity is created to function as a virtual program.

Mentees have varying levels of experience and a wide range of interests. Some are looking for career guidance, professional development advice, job application assistance, etc. Others are just looking to learn more about the national security field to evaluate if it is for them. Generally, mentees fall into one of three categories:

• Beginner/Just Exploring: This type of mentorship will support “beginner” mentees, those who are exploring national security as a concept and field of study for the first time.
• Intermediate/Definitely Interested in the Field: This type of mentorship will support “intermediate” mentees who are sure of their interest in national security and are seeking guidance for how to prepare for a career in the field.
• Accelerated/Career-Focused: This type of mentorship will support those who are career-focused and can benefit from direct insight from experienced professionals in their pathway.

We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.