"As a beginner, you can be overwhelmed by a million questions. Having a mentor — someone who is more experienced and perhaps older — can really help you along the way. Being mentored has offered me professional peace of mind. I know that if I'm faced with a thorny issue, there’s someone to throw me a lifeline. I have been able to grow faster within a safer environment than I could have managed alone." - a SENSE member
The Mentoring Programme brings experienced SENSE members into contact with less experienced members seeking advice and/or training.
For whom
Although this is certainly an invaluable opportunity for those who are just starting out, any member can take advantage of this programme. For example, if you are thinking about adding a new service, you might want to discuss the options with a member with more experience in that particular field. Or tech-savvy members could help you figure out how to make the most of the professional software you have.
How it works
The mentoring programme aims to provide members with the type of mentoring which best fits their needs. This might be a one-off meeting where a specific topic is discussed, or a longer mentorship where mentor and mentee create a roadmap and specific goals to achieve.
The mentorship can last up to 6 hours, and it is advisable to divide it in meetings of at least two hours. Given the time limit, is it very important to have a clear idea of the topics to discuss before starting the mentorship. When in doubt, the mentoring committee might be able to help you come up with a specific goal.
Cost
To promote a more professional and formal relationship between the mentor and mentee, the mentor receives financial compensation (€60 per hour) for providing up to 6 hours of mentoring. This scheme is subsidized by the society: the mentee pays €20 per hour and SENSE pays €40 per hour.
Become a mentor
Anybody in SENSE can be asked to be a mentor, meaning that SENSE can offer support on a wide range of topics. From translation and editing, to business practice, accounting, use of software, and marketing strategies. Here are some topics addressed in past mentorships: translation in the medical field, networking for translators, using Déjà Vu for translation work, and using Excel for accounting.
You may also like to read this blog post written by a SENSE mentee.
For further information, please
