GovLoop Mentors Program

The GovLoop Mentors Program is a first-of-its-kind, government-wide initiative that connects public sector professionals across agencies and at every level (Federal, state and local) of government. This free program responds to the unprecedented need for effective knowledge transfer and leadership development throughout government.

(NOTE: When it asks for Group ID, please enter "govloop".)

GovLoop plans to run two programs in 2013, one in the Spring (from late-February to late-June) and another in Fall (from mid-August to mid-December). Spring 2013 dates are below:

February 1: Applications Due
February 5: Finalist Selections Made
February 7: Matching Begins
February 25: Matches Must Be Made
March 5: Kick-Off Event
May 7: Mid-Point Energizer Event
June 25: Closing Celebration

Each of the events allows participants to attend both in-person in Washington, DC, and virtually via ReadyTalk or Google+ Hangout.

Connect the best in government to:

Facilitate knowledge transfer from seasoned public sector professionals to rising government leaders
Enable the exchange of professional advice that accelerates career advancement and eases transitions
Forge valuable connections among agencies and levels of government (federal, state and local)

Interested in participating? Here's the process:

Go here to sign-up: Mentors.GovLoop.com/signup (Group ID: govloop)
GovLoop will select Finalists for the respective cohort.
Mentees reach out to request a mentor; Mentors approve pairings.
Participate in the four-month program.

GovLoop will select program finalists based on the following criteria:

Completeness of application
Track record of success
Career goals
Specific mentoring outcomes
Overall clarity of writing / quality of application

Don't wait! The Finalist selection process is highly competitive as we're only making 50 matches per 4 month program out of hundreds of applicants. The more complete your application, the better - especially when it comes to your goals for your career and the program.

Do you want to be guaranteed a spot in the program? Register for the Next Generation of Government Training Summit by February 1 and we will lock you in for the Spring cohort. REGISTER HERE!
(Note: Be sure to click the "Enter promotional code" link and type MENTORS when you do)

Additional guidance will be offered in formal training, but regarding the time commitment, program participants can expect:

4 month commitment
Each mentoring partnership will agree on the frequency and duration of meetings

Never been in a mentoring relationship before? Don't worry. We will provide formal training at the outset as well as helpful tips throughout the process.

Sign up today to learn from a seasoned government professional!

Questions? Contact Andrew Krzmarzick: andrew@govloop.com

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The Training Connection, Inc. (TTC), is a professional development firm dedicated to helping organizations grow and develop their people. Founded by Kathy Wentworth Drahosz, TTC is the outgrowth of her experience in business, product and people development.

The Training Connection, Inc. specializes in four vital areas:

Mentoring: Helping organizations build relationships, foster communications and create non-threatening learning environments where employees can find support for career and professional development.
Career and Leadership Development: Helping individuals develop the skills and motivation they need to respond to the workplace of the 21st century.
Team Building: Creating an environment where individuals learn how to collaborate effectively, value the strengths and differences of others and define their roles and responsibilities.
DISC: Train-the-Trainer: Providing internal trainers with time-tested, reliable models for improving communication, performance and job satisfaction. The Training Connection, Inc. uses careful planning, highly experienced consultants and tested, proven products and programs, meticulously designed to meet each client's needs.

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Additional Resources and Tools:

- "Rock Your Resume" Group

- Jobs.GovLoop.com

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Comment by sabrina.delay on May 10, 2013 at 9:50am: Is there a group for Alums of the GovLoop Mentor Program? I would love to connect with others who have participated.

Comment by Jack Holt on February 23, 2013 at 10:05am: Greetings Andy! Once again you guys have brought forth in this continent a new nation ... with empowerment and training for all. An outstanding application of technology to the growing problem. However, I have a question regarding the interface design, it is not clear to me how I view and approve the match through the website. What am I missing?

Comment by tressa.jones48 on November 29, 2012 at 3:31pm: Thanks Mr. Krzmarzick!

Comment by Andrew Krzmarzick on November 29, 2012 at 12:28pm: Hi Tressa - That's totally fine. It's a competitive process and we I want to be up front with you: we do give preference to current government employees, but we have definitely had private sector, students, etc. participate in the program. Go ahead and apply and see what happens! - Andy

Comment by tressa.jones48 on November 29, 2012 at 8:50am: Hello I'm interested in the mentor program but am not a government employee. Can I still sign up? Thanks in advance.

Comment by Marilyn on October 9, 2012 at 11:11am: How can we check to see if we already signed up?

Comment by Sarah Streets on February 3, 2012 at 9:31am: Comment by Sarah Streets1 second agoDelete Comment

Hi Andrew! Not this round I think. I have an interview Feb 6th for a job and, am right now involved in several critical projects at my work. Several of which I either am the Team Lead or, a key-player and majority of them are right in the beginning stage. On top of that, if I were so blessed to receive the job I'm interviewing for, I have to move myself (my pocket, my packing everything) half-way back across the US. At least it wouldn't be literally from one coast to the other this time..lol. Thanks for the invite and I'll put this awesome opportunity on my bucket list for this year.

Comment by Andrew Krzmarzick on February 3, 2012 at 8:15am: Great, Sarah - Are you signing up as a mentor in ours? That would be awesome. :-)

Comment by Sarah Streets on February 2, 2012 at 11:37pm: My organization started this type of mentoring program in 2008. I was in the pilot group as a mentee. What an awesome experience it was! It was rather trying at times though. I was right in the middle of a PCS and was traveling cross-country to new duty station during the kick-off workshop was held. I also had a new job, new location to learn about, and pretty intensive new job responsibilities. That which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger though! :o)))

Comment by Andrew Krzmarzick on January 12, 2012 at 8:43am: Great tips, Terry. I'll incorporate them into the orientation!

Comment by Terrence (Terry) Hill on January 12, 2012 at 8:27am

Saw these great tips for potential mentors from HBR:

Three Questions to Ask Before Taking on a Mentee

It’s rewarding to become a mentor. But you can’t take every young upstart under your wing. Ask yourself these three questions to choose the right protégé:

How motivated is the mentee? Assess the junior person’s drive to advance. Your mentee has to be motivated if you’re going to have a successful relationship.
How far is there to go? Where is the mentee in terms of experience versus where she wants to be? You should take someone on with developmental gaps that you can help fill.
Do I have the relevant experience and time? You never want to shortchange a mentoring relationship. Be sure you can effectively support the mentee in terms of knowledge and effort.

Adapted from "Get the Mentoring Equation Right" by Whitney Johnson.

Comment by Carol Davison on August 22, 2011 at 10:38am: Good Morning All! Please send me the info on the mentoring call in that is scheduled for today, or inform me of the day that it is scheduled. Thank you.