Executive Mentorship Program

Nothing is more important to the growth of business or the region than attracting and retaining top talent.

The Executive Mentorship Program – presented by GenNEXT - Tech Valley Young Professionals, a joint, workforce development initiative of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber and the Chamber of Schenectady County – connects ambitious, young professionals with seasoned, high-level business leaders charged with supporting them in their professional and personal development.

The Executive Mentorship Program is a cornerstone of GenNEXT's goal of developing the skills of young professionals.

The success of this program can be attributed to the dedicated mentors and its growing popularity. Since the inception in 2004, we have matched nearly 280 young professionals with local executives.

GenNEXT mentees have reported that, thanks to this initiative, they feel more rooted in the community. This is proof that GenNEXT is achieving its goal of grooming and retaining our best and brightest young professionals.

As a mentor, you will help shape a young professional's future by sharing your knowledge and providing a firsthand glimpse of life and work in Tech Valley. At the conclusion of the program, mentors and mentees often find that the learning has been mutual and that the relationship has grown in ways not foreseen at the start.

In order to establish a successful relationship, mentors and mentees need to be:

willing to be responsible for their own growth and development
receptive to feedback and coaching
active in seeking challenging assignments and responsibility
able to learn from mistakes
self-aware
positive
goal-oriented
open and honest with each other

Important Dates

The Executive Mentorship Program is a six-month commitment that begins on January 10, 2013. One formal networking event occurs mid-program on March 21, 2013. A formal event concludes the program on June 6, 2013.

The GenNEXT Executive Mentorship Program will be accepting applications for its 2013 program this fall through Friday, November 16, 2012.

Executive Mentorship Handbook PDF Document

Contacts

If you have questions or need more information, contact Addy Waldie, CMP of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at (518) 431-1443 or Robin Granger of The Chamber of Schenectady County at (518) 372-5656.