About our WiConnect Mentorship Program

A mentorship program for WiGIS members

"My mentor shared her extensive knowledge of the GIS community in many invaluable ways. She welcomed me into the Arizona Women in GIS community through regular meetings, shared her expertise in visualization, and pointed me in the right direction for professional development in the field. The Women in GIS mentorship program is so worth doing, not just for the chance to explore new professional areas, but for building solid relationships with other women in the field. Thank you to Women in GIS for making this program possible!" -Laurie Pearce Price

About the Program

The WiConnect mentoring program aims to support women at all stages of their geospatial professional journeys by creating a career network and opportunities for communication and learning.

Who can participate in WiGIS’s WiConnect program?

All current Women in GIS members can participate in this program. This includes the Student and Professional level memberships.  Not a member? Find out how easy it is to become one here!

Yes!  WiConnect is a unique mentorship program because any qualifying WiGIS member can participate as either a mentor or a mentee. 

As a new organization, WiGIS does not have the capacity to manually connect mentors with mentees.  Therefore, WiConnect provides the network and suggests structure to help women in the GIS community find a mentor that is right for them and embark on rewarding mentoring relationships.

“As a mentor, the WiGIS WiConnect mentoring experience has been very fulfilling. I’ve enjoyed getting to know my mentee and see her achieve her personal and professional goals. Her contagious enthusiasm has been an inspiration and the friendship we’ve developed is an added bonus to being a part of this program!” - Jami Dennis, Geodetic Analysis LLC

WiConnect encourages partners to work towards a goal during a six month period.  The beginning and end of WiConnect's official involvement will be marked by the program entry and exit survey.  We hope relationships formed in WiConnect will last beyond WiGIS’s official involvement.

As a member of WiGIS, you will have access to WiConnect’s Guidance Material which outlines best practices and suggested activities for mentors and mentees. It is up to mentees and their mentors to review the material together and develop a structure that works for them based on their personal goals and availability. 

Mentoring is a partnership and trusting relationship benefiting mentee, mentor and the organization. To have an effective mentoring experience that provides growth for all parties there needs to be trust, respect, integrity and commitment. These relationships require time and effort to be developed. This will be the responsibility of both mentor and mentee, but is expected to be driven by the mentee.

Participants will receive an official certificate of completion which can be applied towards points for your GISP certification.

There are also many any benefits of participating in a mentorship program:

For mentees:

• Increased in skills and knowledge.
• Exposed to networking opportunities.
• Improved leadership skills.
• Enhanced self-confidence.
• Assistance with career planning and educational guidance.

For mentors:

• Satisfaction from sharing knowledge and watching someone develop.
• Opportunity to review one's career progress, goals, accomplishments, and skills.
• Professional and peer recognition.
• Increased job satisfaction and renewed interest and enthusiasm for work.

If you are not already a member, sign up for WiGIS by going to our Join Us webpage!  If you are interested in being a mentor, fill out the WiConnect Mentor Sign Up questions.

If you are a qualifying member and logged into your account, go to the Participation Overview webpage to learn how to get started as a mentor or as a mentee.

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