The FSF Mentor Program enables alumni and industry leaders to share their professional and personal experience and expertise with current FSF scholarship recipients. The connections made in the program help prepare scholars for a successful future in the fashion industry.

MENTORSHIP

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ABOUT THE FSF MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

FOR MENTORS

As a Mentor, you will have the opportunity to advise a scholar on professional guidance, career advice and personal development for their career path into the fashion industry.  We encourage Mentors and Mentees to connect on a regular basis (i.e. once a month phone call, in person meeting, FaceTime or email conversation). However, the frequency and form of communication are things you both can determine. Opportunities to interact through the program will include networking events and casual meet ups.

Mentors do not have to be in the same city as their Mentee.  Whether you are right down the street or across the country, we invite alumni and industry leaders to develop nurturing relations through the  Mentoring Program on FSF Connect.

FOR SCHOLARS

As an FSF Scholarship recipient, you have exclusive access to a robust network of FSF alumni and industry leaders who are eager and willing to connect with you to share their wisdom and career advice.

The FSF Mentor Program is a unique opportunity for you to form meaningful and lasting relationship with a fashion industry Mentor which can extend beyond your college years. As a program participant, you’ll have the opportunity to request the mentor of your choice. They can assist you with career advice and personal development. The mentoring relationship will continue throughout your FSF Scholarship year, however the greatest emphasis and communication will be from April to December.

We encourage Mentors and Mentees to connect on a regular basis (i.e. once a month phone call, in person meeting, FaceTime or email conversation). However, the frequency and form of communication are things you both can determine.  Mentees should be prepared for the initial mentoring conversation with a list of what the mentee would like to learn from the mentor.  The list will continue to build and/or adjust as progress is made with the Mentor.



 
 

KEY DATES

Mar 4 - 8             FSF office confirms 2019 participation of all Mentors  

Mar 9 - 22           Scholars review Mentor profiles and send a mentoring request

Mar 23 - 31         Deadline for Mentors to accept a Scholar’s request for mentorship

Apr 1                    Mentor Program Kickoff

Dec 31                 Mentor Program Ends

 

PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS

FOR MENTORS

  1.  Register / Log in to FSFConnect.org from your computer to set up your profile (you cannot use your mobile device for the initial set up)

  2. Complete / Update your profile

    ·        Include professional, academic, and volunteer experience

    ·        Under the “Willing to help” section, check “Willing to be a mentor” 

    ·        Under the “About Me” section, be sure to answer the following questions:

    “Why do you want to mentor a scholar? What do you hope to offer as mentor?

    ·        Make sure to click “Update” for each section

  3. Await scholar mentor request in March

 

FOR SCHOLARS

  1. Register / Log in to FSFConnect.org from your computer to set up your profile (you cannot use your mobile device for the initial set up

  2.  Complete / Update your profile (under the “Me” tab, click “Update your profile”)

    a. Upload a professional photo

    b. Include academic, volunteer and professional experience

    c. Complete all fields in the “About Me” section, to be paired to the mentor with similar interests

    d. Make sure to click “Update” for each section

  3. The Mentoring Program is only available through the FSF Connect platform:

    a. Scholars who did not join FSF Connect will not be able to participate in the mentoring program as the selection of a Mentor and initial outreach to your Mentor is only facilitated through FSF Connect

  4. On FSF Connect, Scholars have the opportunity to request a Mentor:

    a.      Scholars are encouraged but not required to select a Mentor

    b.      Each Scholar may send out two (2) mentoring requests to engage with the Mentor. 

    c.      Each Mentor may only have one mentee

    d.      If a Scholar wants to be in a mentoring relationship, the FSF organization expects active engagement on the Scholar’s behalf with the Mentor he/she selects

    e.      We recommend Scholars who are Seniors select a Non Alumni Industry Executive or an FSF Board of Governor who has a more expansive network which can be helpful when the Senior is job searching

    f.       Sophomores and Juniors may select a Mentor who is FSF Alumni

  5. Search and review Mentor profiles on FSF Connect using the Directory tab:

    a.      Based on the information you entered in your profile, FSF Connect uses an algorithm to suggest a Mentor(s) who may be a good fit for you.  For example, FSF Connect may pull up Mentors who have graduated from your school, who have the same major as you, or who have worked at a company in your profile.

    b.      Under “Refine your search” make sure to select “Willing to be a Mentor” to view only the users who want to be a Mentor

    c.      Filter your search using the following categories:

    Education: field of study, degree, graduation year

    d.      Work: position, company/institution, industries

    e.      Location: city, state, country

    f.       Keyword search

  6. Once you find the ideal Mentor, click “Request Mentorship” on their profile. Personalize your message in the “Mentoring Request” box and then click “Send.” You are allowed to send only TWO mentoring requests with the intention that ONE Mentor will accept.

    ·        Introduce yourself (name, school, year, major) and include any relevant internships, or work

    experience

    ·        Explain what you hope to learn from a Mentor and why you feel he/she would be the best fit

    ·        Include reference(s) to information in the Mentor’s profile (such as education, job, industry or volunteer experience) that are specifically of interest to you 

    ·        Conclude by asking if he/she would be interested in mentoring you as part of the FSF Mentor Program and thank him/her for their consideration

    ·        DO NOT REQUEST MENTORSHIP WITHOUT INCLUDING A PERSONALIZED MESSAGE

  7. Deadline to secure a Mentor:

    If you do not receive a response to your “Request for a Mentor” message by March 31st don’t panic!  Some mentors need a bit more time to confirm.  For assistance, send an email to Marie Colletta, reply@ymafsf.org

    and she will help you find and/or confirm your Mentor. Register / Log in fsfconnect.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FOR MENTORS
 

WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE? Scholars are willing and eager to learn from your professional and personal experiences. We want to ensure that they are prepared in every aspect possible as it related to the fashion industry. With your wisdom and guidance, we can work together to make sure FSF scholars get the most of their scholarship award year to develop a pathway into the fashion industry.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A MENTOR? The FSF Mentor Program is designed to engage alumni volunteers and fashion industry leaders of all backgrounds and experience levels. You will be paired for approximately eight months (April to December) with the Mentee you have accepted. We encourage Mentors and Mentees to connect on a regular basis (i.e. once a month phone call, in person meeting, or email conversation). However, the frequency and form of communication are things you both can determine. Our team will also be standing by to answer any questions you might have. Prior mentorship experience is not required.

HOW WILL A MENTOR MATCH BE MADE? The Mentor matches are made directly by the Scholars. Once you register for the FSF Mentor Program through FSF CONNECT (fsfconnect.org) you’ll be part of our exclusive, online mentoring community. Starting in March, FSF Scholarship winners will have a chance to register and review Mentor profiles to find a Mentor who fits their interests and career goals. Once a Scholar finds the ideal Mentor, the Scholar will click on the Mentor’s profile and send the Mentor a message to request mentorship. The message will be delivered to the Mentor’s email address used when the Mentor set up his/her profile on FSF Connect.  From there, alumni and industry leaders will review their mentoring request and approve the scholar accordingly.

WHAT IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE REQUEST FOR MENTORSHIP? The maximum mentoring requests a Mentor may receive is two and each Mentor many only have one Mentee.  Therefore, if you receive multiple requests, please review all requests and only select the Scholar’s profile who you feel is best applicant for you to mentor and confirm only one Mentee.

WHAT IF I WANT TO CONTINUE MENTORING THE SCHOLAR BEYOND DECEMBER? Mentors are welcome to continue mentoring their Scholar as long as they are willing and able.

HOW DO I SIGN UP TO BE A MENTOR? It is quick and simple to sign up to be a Mentor. Please follow sign up on FSF CONNECT www.fsfconnect.org.

WHAT IF I DON’T RECEIVE ANY REQUESTS FOR MENTORSHIP FROM SCHOLARS? We encourage you to complete your FSF Connect profile by including all relevant professional, academic, and volunteer experience. In addition, we included the opportunity to answer the following questions “Why do you want to Mentor a Scholar?  What do you hope to offer as a Mentor?” The answers to these questions will provide students with the best information to request mentorship. If you aren’t requested for mentorship through this program, the FSF would very much like you to participate in scholarship selection by serving as a case study judge which offers the opportunity to volunteer your time and expertise. 



 

FOR SCHOLARS
 

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A MENTEE? The FSF Mentor Program is designed to engage the current class of scholarship recipients with fashion industry leaders of all backgrounds and experience levels. The FSF Mentor Program is about building your professional network, personal development and gaining academic and career advice. This program is intended to provide Scholars with career advice which may help with opportunities in the future.

HOW LONG IS THE COMMITMENT? The mentoring commitment lasts for approximately eight months during your scholarship year (April to December) with the Mentor who has accepted your request for mentorship. We encourage you to connect with your mentor on a regular basis (i.e. once a month phone call, in person meeting, or email conversation). However, the frequency and form of communication are things you both can determine. Please DO NOT ask your mentor for a job or internship.

HOW WILL A MENTOR MATCH BE MADE? Starting March 9th, you will have a chance to register and review Mentor profiles to find a Mentor who fits your interests and career goals. Once you find your ideal Mentor, you will click on the Mentor profile and send a message directly from FSF Connect to request mentorship. From there, Mentors will review mentorship request(s) and approve a Scholar accordingly. 

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY MENTOR REQUESTS I CAN SEND?Each Scholar can send only two (2) mentoring requests with the intention one (1) Mentor will confirm.  We recommend Scholars send the first mentoring request to his/her top choice Mentor.  If there is no response after a few days from the potential Mentor, the Scholar may send a second mentoring request to another potential Mentor.  Therefore, Scholars should review Mentor profiles carefully and send your requests to Mentors who best fit your interests and career goals.

I REACHED OUT TO SOMEONE, AND DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? We ask that you give Mentors enough time to respond, typically 3-5 days. Keep in mind that Mentors are busy with their professions and personal lives, so please be considerate of their time. If you do not receive a mentorship request acceptance, please do not send a follow-up message asking Mentors if they received your request and would like to be your Mentor. You may contact reply@ymafsf.org and we will help with your outreach with your mentor request.

WHAT IF I WANT TO CONTINUE MY MENTOR/MENTEE MATCH BEYOND THE ACADEMIC YEAR? You are welcome to stay connected with your Mentor as long as they are willing and able to help.

CAN I REQUEST A MENTOR WHO LIVES IN A DIFFERENT STATE? Yes!  Mentors do not have to live in the same city as you to be your Mentor. You can connect with your Mentor via phone calls, email, Skype, or FaceTime and still have a great connection.