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BCEDA Mentorship Program

Become a Mentor

Hand-picked, long time BCEDA members that have served in leadership roles and have a positive reputation and outlook in British Columbia and the economic development industry. Members that are at that point in their career that they are ready to sincerely “give back” to the profession and mentor other economic developers in British Columbia. Typical characteristics of a mentor include:
  1. Willingness to share expertise, knowledge, successes and failures
  2. Approachable, available, and the able to listen
  3. Willingness to commit time for a successful mentorship
  4. Enthusiasm for the profession
  5. Values ongoing learning and professional growth
  6. Provide guidance and constructive feedback
  7. Establishes and meets ongoing personal and professional goals
  8. Values the opinions and initiatives of others
  9. Motivates others by setting a good example
  10. Follows the BCEDA Code of Ethics
 
Note: To be eligible to be a mentor you must be actively employed or retired from the profession after a long career. Consultants are not eligible to be mentors.

 
Goals of the Mentor
  1. Mentor should be willing to provide ongoing support through various communication techniques to listen, discover issues, get to know the Mentee and his/her situations, give direction/recommendations
  2. Face-to-face connection when the opportunity presents itself
  3. Relationship should continue career-long for encouragement, unless project specific then it should continue during project development and implementation
 
Mentor Qualifications
  1. Must be an experienced economic developer with a minimum of five years’ experience
  2. Able and willing to dedicate the required time and resources to properly represent BCEDA and effectively mentor new economic development professionals
  3. Able and willing to dedicate the required time and resources to properly represent BCEDA and effectively provide mentorship to other experienced economic developers to deal with specific topics
  4. Willing to sincerely “give back” to the economic development profession without seeing this as an opportunity to gain intelligence from competing communities
  5. Willing to sincerely “give back” to the economic development profession by offering your knowledge with no expectation of financial gain.
 
Click here to submit your application to be a Mentor. 

I want a Mentor

Economic development professionals that are new to the profession, either because they are a young professional or they have come to economic development from a different profession or career.   Mentees can also be experienced economic developers who are looking for advice on specific topics. In order to participate in this program, mentees must be a member of BCEDA.  We will do our best to get you a mentor that can address your issues.  

Click here to apply to be a mentee.