Enrollment Begins In Web-Based NavyWomen eMentoring Program
By Lt. Laura K. Stegherr, Diversity Directorate Public Affairs



The NavyWomen eMentoring Program, a web-based tool that connects uniformed Navy women for mentoring relationships, has begun a new open enrollment period from now to Aug. 15. The program is open to all active duty and reserve Navy women, to include officers, officers-in-training and enlisted members. Visit www.academywomen.org/ementor/signup/ to register in the program. Image courtesy of http://www.academywomen.org


The NavyWomen eMentoring Program, a web-based tool that connects uniformed Navy women for mentoring relationships, has begun a new open enrollment period that was announced in Naval Administrative Message NAVADMIN 226/10 July 7.

The program, now in its third year, is designed to support the personal and professional development of women by building productive mentoring relationships between mentors and proteges.

Four hundred new slots are available for mentors and mentees during the open enrollment period, which will last until Aug. 15.

The program is open to all active duty and reserve Navy women, to include officers, officers-in-training and enlisted members. The program features a user-friendly interface that offers several options for Navy women to create mentoring relationships.

In addition to the basic one-on-one mentor to protege matching, mentees can also take part in situational mentoring for more short-term, situation-specific needs.

This function allows mentees to select one or more mentors to assist them with a particular situation or to post the situation, allowing mentors to volunteer their support.

A new feature of the program beginning in late summer 2010 is group mentoring, where mentors can post a topic for discussion. Mentees can then join the group and participate during a designated time frame.

The program currently has 1,250 participants enrolled, including 800 mentors from nearly every designator and rating. Members include women of all ranks and reflect a broad range of designators, experiences and expertise.

Stefanie Goebel, NavyWomen eMentor Program director, is pleased with the momentum the program has gained throughout the past two years. “I am very excited about the way Navy women have embraced the NavyWomen eMentor leadership program,” said Goebel.

“The ongoing high numbers of enrollees clearly show the great need and desire for this kind of mentoring. Participants tell us again and again how grateful they are to have such easy access to more experienced women who understand firsthand their unique brand of challenges.”

Participants surveyed about their impressions of the program indicated that they had positive experiences with the program.

The survey indicated that 82 percent of mentees and 84 percent of mentors were highly satisfied with their initial experiences and that 80 percent of all participants said they had improved career satisfaction since using the program.

“The best thing about the mentoring program so far is that I have an awesome mentor who is caring and practical, helping me to put some items into perspective so that I can work them out and move on,” said one survey respondent.

“She is able to address both my professional and personal goals, which is a huge plus.”

“I am finally able to talk to someone with confidence and confidentiality about my experiences, questions and concerns and am able to receive valuable and actionable advice - from someone who’s been in my shoes!” said another respondent. Mentors also found much value in the program.

“Being able to assist someone with concerns I’ve already faced reminds me how small our Navy is,” said a surveyed mentor. “And I believe keeping that idea in mind helps us all.” Goebel explained that the mentoring program serves an important role in the overall development of women in the Navy.

“Mentoring is not simply a feel-good activity. It is 100 percent about valuing human capital,” said Goebel. “The existence of this program clearly sends the message that the Navy cares about the professional and personal growth of uniformed Navy women. And the women are hearing the message.”

Navy women are encouraged to register at http://www.academywomen.org/ementor/signup.

Within two days, registrants will receive an e-mail instructing them to create an account and profile, and for mentees, to search for and select a mentor.

The Navy recognizes mentoring as a valuable and necessary component to job satisfaction and performance.

More information on the Navy Women eMentor Program and other women’s policy initiatives can be found at the website http://www.npc.navy.mil/AboutUs/BUPERS/WomensPolicy/.