Veteran Mentoring Programs

1. Veteran Mentoring Programs Revised October, 2013

2. This Department of Veterans Affairs Training Series on Veteran Mentoring Programs is designed to help employers and Veteran employees understand the benefits to having Veteran mentoring programs in place and the practices that could be implemented to make these programs more successful. Introduction

3. The suggestions in this presentation are being offered in an effort to improve Veteran retention in the workplace. It is understood that not all these practices can be implemented for every organization. Some variation may be required in order to comply with each organization’s policies and procedures. Introduction

4. Veteran mentoring: Forms a voluntary one-on-one relationship between a junior Veteran employee and a senior mentor (preferably someone with military experience) Assists the Veteran employee with his or her personal and professional growth in an organization Focuses on helping the Veteran employee adjust to the civilian workplace culture and reach his or her full potential within the organization What is Veteran Mentoring?

5. Veteran mentoring programs can: Increase the morale of Veteran employees Help new Veteran employees understand and adapt to the job and workplace culture Lead to increased productivity Lead to career development and increased employee retention Promote diversity Why Implement a Veteran Mentoring Program?

6. Through serving as a mentor, an individual can: Enhance leadership and coaching skills Gain a better awareness and understanding of employees at the lower levels of the organization Demonstrate expertise and share knowledge Expand career network and exposure in the organization Make a difference in a fellow Veteran’s career Benefits to the Mentor

7. Through mentorship, a Veteran mentee can: Make a smoother transition to the civilian workplace Gain career development opportunities Demonstrate strengths and explore potential Expand career network and exposure in the organization Build camaraderie with a fellow Veteran Benefits to the Veteran Mentee

8. A Veteran mentoring program is built on trust and can start in several ways: A program can be built by Veterans for Veterans, although anyone with the desire can help create the program Veteran middle management employees can garner support for the program from upper management Upper management can tap Veterans within the organization with the skills to make it happen Such a program is voluntary, bringing Veterans together in a trusted and comfortable environment Developing a Veteran Mentoring Program

9. Decide on the goals and objectives Developing leaders Assisting junior employees Increasing employee retention Develop a business case for why the organization should dedicate the time and resources to the program Employee growth and engagement Increased retention/decreased turnover Change management/guidance & training Succession planning/leadership development Developing a Veteran Mentoring Program

10. Get support and commitment from top management Assign a program manager to administer the program Create a committee to set the goals and objectives of the program Develop a communications strategy for providing information and updates to mentors and mentees Website page describing the program & announcing updates Social media group for sharing news and ideas Email distribution Developing a Veteran Mentoring Program

11. Develop a marketing and recruiting strategy Let employees know about the program Match mentors selectively with mentees based on compatibility of goals, interests, or preferences Consider using web-based mentoring tools for matching and tracking Implementing a Veteran Mentoring Program

12. Train program participants Conduct orientation for mentors and mentees Inform mentors on resources available to Veterans with health or mental health challenges Develop instruction guides for mentors and mentees that include roles, expectations, topics, and commitments Implementing a Veteran Mentoring Program

13. Support the mentoring relationships Provide developmental activities such as seminars, networking events, guest speakers Evaluate when goals have been met and bring closure to mentorships Broadcast successes that demonstrate the value of the program and give recognition to participants Implementing a Veteran Mentoring Program

14. Both mentor and mentee should: Communicate and respect each other’s time Share responsibility for the relationship Keep an open mind, be flexible, and exchange information Have sensitivity to differences in race, gender, backgrounds, and experiences Mentee must take ownership of his or her own career Foundation for a Successful Mentoring Program

15. Mentoring Handbook. Rep. American Corporate Partners, n.d. Web. <http://acp-usa.org/sites/default/files/ACPMentoringHandbookWinter2013.pdf>. How to Build a Mentoring Program: A Mentoring Program Toolkit. Rep. OPM/USPTO Leadership Development Program, 18 Mar. 2010. Web. <http://www.opm.gov/Wiki/uploads/docs/Wiki/OPM/training/Mentoring%20Toolkit%203-18-10.pdf>. 10 Tips for Starting a Successful Mentoring Program. Rep. Chronus.com, n.d. Web. <http://chronus.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/10-Tips-for-Starting-a-Successful-Mentoring-Program.pdf>. Best Practices: Mentoring. Rep. United States Office of Personnel Management, Sept. 2008. Web. <http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/training-and-development/career-development/bestpractices-mentoring.pdf>. Travis, Eryn. "What Benefit Does a Company Gain With Mentoring Programs?" Small Business. Demand Media, n.d. Web. <http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefit-company-gain-mentoring-programs-20665.html>. Sources