Potential Host and Underwriters

The Programs are hosted and underwritten by technology firms in the Washington Metropolitan area.  It is through their support that Women in Technology (WIT) continues to offer the hallmark Mentoring Program to women in or supporting the technology industry.

Each year WIT holds two Mentoring Programs; one January through May and the second June through November. 

To learn more about Hosting and Underwriting a Mentor-Protégé Program, go to the Host and Underwriter section below.

Program 28 Format and Dates

The Program is conducted over five months and held on the second Tuesday of each month.  

The schedule for Program 28 is:

Orientation      Tuesday, January 10th
Session 1        Tuesday, February 14th 
Session 2        Tuesday, March 13th
Session 3        Tuesday, April 10th
Session 4        Tuesday, May 8th

To ensure protégés get the most out of the Mentoring Program, we request that protégés commit to all 5 sessions.

WIT’s Mentor-Protégé Program Vision, Mission and Structure

Vision
The WIT Mentor-Protégé program is the 21st Century’s place for women in or support the technology industry that want dynamic personal growth and a platform for professional success.  Career women aspire to be enriched through mentoring and networking in this unparalleled program in the Washington, DC area.

Mission
The WIT Mentor-Protégé Program's mission is to encourage dynamic personal and career growth for women in technology through a series of guided quality discussions in a community with other professional women. 

Structure
Each Mentor-Protégé Program offers a five-part series and is conducted by a professional facilitator.  Each monthly session explores issues and opportunities facing women professionals today, such as Work/Life Integration, Strategic Networking, Political Savvy and Executive Presence, and Communication.  The series is designed for:
• Young professionals 5 years into career,
• Professional women in transition, and
• Women re-entering the workforce.

The program is limited to 25 women and qualified candidates are accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Protégés are matched with 4 different mentors during each 5-month program.  To ensure that protégés get the most out of the Mentoring Program, we request that protégés commit to all 5 sessions.   

While most of our Mentors continue to work with us, we encourage new Mentors to apply.  In this way we have a large group of talent available for Mentor-Protégé matching.

Protégés and new Mentors complete applications to participate in the program 2 to 3 months prior to the program start date.  The program provides an excellent networking opportunity for career path (protégé) and senior (mentor) women.  The Program framework is "Women Mentoring Women."

The typical agenda for each session:
6:00 – 6:30 pm: Greetings/Sign in/Refreshments/Networking
6:30 – 6:45 pm: Welcome and Introduction of Host/Underwriter
6:45 – 7:30 pm: Guest Speaker
7:30 – 8:30 pm: One-on-One Mentoring

Protégés & new Mentors complete applications to participate in the program 2 to 3 months prior to the program start date.  The Program framework is "Women Mentoring Women."  
 

Mentors 

Mentor Requirements
• Must be a WIT member
• Must be Director or above and have 20+ years in the workplace or significant experience owning a running a business
• Must have varied leadership experience
• Must possess the following skills: listening, advocacy, teaching, and sharing
• Must be able to expose others to opportunities and increase visibility
• Must complete an application and be accepted into the program
• New Mentors must attend orientation upon initial acceptance into the program
• Must commit to attending three sessions per year

Article on Mentor-Protégé relationship challenges.

Click here to apply. 

Women in Technology (WIT), the premier organization contributing to the success of professional women in the Washington technology community, is building on the success of its hallmark program, the Mentor Protégé Program, in order to meet the demands of major corporations seeking to develop their human resources talent and encourage corporate diversity.

Each year WIT holds two Mentoring Programs: one January through May and the second June through November.

The Programs are hosted and underwritten by technology firms in the Washington Metropolitan area.  It is through their support that Women in Technology (WIT) continues to offer the hallmark Mentoring Program to women in or supporting the technology industry.

Host and Underwriter Benefits and Role

For a nominal investment, the Host and Underwriter will gain access to about 80 professional women, potential employees and can provide female employees in the operations and technology community a networking and professional growth environment to develop relationships and create new opportunities.  Additionally, through WIT partnerships, the company will encourage diversity and involvement both within the company and the community at large.

As the Host and Underwriter of the Mentor-Protégé Program, your company will achieve the following:
• Increase company’s profile as a technology leader
• Raise company’s profile among successful women in technology
• A venue to communicate the company’s commitment to diversity and women in leadership
• A venue to articulate company’s mission and goals to an external audience
• Visibility to potential talent
• Increase employees access to gain the knowledge available through interaction with experienced leaders in the technical community
• Opportunity to encourage employees of company to increase involvement in the community
• Provide employees a channel for professional development

As the Host and Underwriter of the Mentor-Protégé Program, the company's role includes:
• Providing the facilities for the five sessions, include light dinner for 80 participants
• Making a contribution towards the cost of providing this Program (suggested $3,000)
• Having a representative present a brief overview of your company in each session
• Having up to three employees selected as Protégés, at no cost to the individuals (normally there is a $250 fee per participant) 

Mentor-Protege Questions? Contact

Our WIT staff can answer any questions: staff@womenintechnology.org, 703-766-1153.  Acceptance notifications will be sent prior to the beginning of the next Program. Protégé fees are due before the Orientation session of the Program.

Mentorship Committee Chairs:

Jean Orr
Chair, Mentorship  
SAIC
Email: jean.a.orr@saic.com

Kim Dismuke
Vice Chair, Mentorship
Northrop Grumman
Email: kim.dismuke@ngc.com

When one woman helps another, amazing things can happen.  Professional careers can leap forward!

Comments from WIT Protégés:

“In four short months with WIT, I gained the insights and encouragement I had hoped to find in my MBA program. The program is really a "best value" because I developed greatly both personally and professionally for a small investment. What was especially important was that we all made the most of the short time we had together. While the MBA provided an academic basis of business, WIT delivers the real life version of how to succeed in business. Thank you, WIT!” - Program Protégé

“Each mentor provided career insight whether it was sharing their strategy for career moves, highlighting another perspective, or discussing what specifically helped propel them from a mid level role to the executive role. Each mentor added value in a different way and offered ideas on areas to explore.” – Program Protégé

“I enjoyed learning something new every session. The mentors were matched very well; I learned something different from each person. I liked that I was matched with people that have different work experiences than me, they weren't all IT managers, but that we could see how many of our experiences were similar no matter what field we are in.  – Program Protégé

“This program was high quality and down to earth practical.” – Program Protégé