Become a Mentor 

There are few bonds in professional work life and the more influential one is between a young professional and an established one. As you begin your journey toward becoming an ISYFA mentor, you will need to understand the basics of mentoring before entering into a relationship with a young professional.

Looking at a role you are probably familiar with you will find that most of us have had a supervisor, a boss or coach. Those people wore many hats and acted as delegators, role models, cheerleaders, policy enforcers, advocates, and friends. As an ISYFA mentor you will wear these same hats.

Mentors understand the need to assume a number of different roles during the course of a mentoring relationship, but successful mentors also share the same basic qualities:

- A sincere desire to be involved with a young professional.
- Listen actively.
- Empathize.
- See solutions and opportunities.
- Be flexible and open.

As you and your mentee begin your communication; exploring values, interests and goals, you will find yourself making a difference and having a positive effect on that young professional’s life. What you may also be surprised to see is that you will be learning more about yourself, too. Mentoring is a shared opportunity for learning and growth. Mentoring doesn't just affect the young professional.

Prospective Mentors with 5 years or less work experience can still become ISYFA Mentors to students and select members provided that they:

1. Have sufficient business experience and expertise, such as:
   - At least 1 year working in the US.
   - At least 5 years of work experience with at least 3 years managerial experience.
2. Plan to dedicate 4 hours a month, to working with no more than 3 mentees concurrently (actual involvement may vary). A mentor is required to coach one mentee, which is a total commitment of 12 hours for 3 months.
3. Have the desire and commitment to help and develop emerging Filipino Finance & Accounting professionals in the US.
4. Preferably are Filipinos. However, this program can be extended to non-Filipinos who are willing to share our vision and impart their knowledge and experiences to mentees who express the desire to learn and develop. 
5. Have high professional achievement.
6. Are engaged in continuous learning and development.
7. Have good interpersonal and communication skills. 

If you wish to become an ISYFA Mentor and have 5 years or more work experience, you will find that a broader spectrum of mentees will contact you to become their mentor. The requirements, however, are still for you to:

1. Have significant business experience and expertise, such as:
   - At least 5 years working in the US.
   - At least 3 years of management experience or leadership role in the US.
2. Plan to dedicate 4 hours a month, to working with no more than 3 mentees concurrently (actual involvement may vary). A mentor is required to coach one mentee, which is a total commitment of 12 hours for 3 months.
3. Have the desire and commitment to help and develop emerging Filipino Finance & Accounting professionals in the US.
4. Preferably Filipinos. ISYFA, however, wishes to extend the tier 2 mentorship to non-Filipinos who are willing to share our vision and impart their knowledge and experiences to mentees who express the desire to learn and develop.
5. Have high professional or business achievement.
6. Are engaged in continuous learning and development.
7. Have good interpersonal and communication skills.

Mentoring provides significant benefits. As a mentor, you will be:

- Making a difference in someone else's life.
- Learning about yourself.
- Giving back to your profession and country and contributing to the future.
- Having fun.

If you're still not sure you understand what is expected of a mentor then just ask a young professional. Good mentors are willing to take time to get to know their mentees, to learn new things that are important to the young professional, and even to be changed by their relationship.

Accept the challenges and rewards of mentoring a young professional for a period of three months and experience the benefits that will last each of you a lifetime!

Click here to apply to become a Mentor today.