A diverse group of area business leaders and young professionals gathered under the same roof on Tuesday morning to officially begin the inaugural session of a six-month mentorship program, organized by Richland Young Professionals (RYP).
Tim Hilterman, co-chair of RYP’s Professional Development Committee, said the mentorship program is like “an internship on steroids.”
“A mentorship program is so valuable,” said Hilterman. “I think anyone who’s been successful in their life has had somebody older than them who has kind of shown them the way, and helped them learn lessons that they’ve already gone through. So we wanted to create this atmosphere where we’re bringing the best businessmen and women from all areas that are handing down to the next generation their knowledge.”
In pairs of two, 12 mentors and 12 mentees from various industries including business, government, social service and education enjoyed breakfast together at Ed Picken’s Café before exchanging contact information and determining a meeting schedule. Hilterman encouraged the mentees to take the reins in this experience, and suggested that the pairs meet once a month.
“We were looking for a broad range of mentors, and they really stepped up,” said Hilterman. “We wanted this to be a very well rounded program and have a lot of opportunities from a lot of different areas. The mentors really came out in masses in support of this program.”
Mentor Mary Bolin, CEO of My Town Partners, said she decided to become a mentor in order to share her experiences, connections and opportunities within the community. Bolin will be working with Tracy Bond, an internship coordinator for Ohio State Mansfield and North Central State, over the course of the next six months.
“I wanted to be able to work with someone that’s an up and coming leader in our community,” said Bolin. “I look forward to learning from Tracy as much as I hope she can learn some things from me.”
Bolin pointed out the pairing of herself and Bond worked well since both women were involved in workforce development. Bond noted she was also interested in entrepreneurship, and was excited to be partnered with a local businesswoman.
“By getting exposed to someone who’s been here for a while and is passionate about the area and has done a lot of different things, you can sort of see where you can go with your own career, and it helps encourage you to stay,” said Bond.
“A big part of what happens in our community is about being connected with other people so you can share those experiences,” added Bolin. “I also think it helps encourage younger professionals to stay in our community. They can see the opportunities from someone who’s been working in the community.”
Patty Harrelson, executive director of Richland County Children Services, said the mentor/mentee relationship works both ways.
“To teach is to learn twice, and I think when you have to study something and you’re trying to teach someone else a skill set or knowledge, you relearn and you learn more aspects of it,” said Harrelson. “For me that’s what being a mentor is about.”
Hilterman said the mentorship program will last until June, at which point RYP will decide whether to launch a second six-month program this year or wait until 2016.
“We hope this will be a perpetual process so we have fresh mentors and mentees having this opportunity,” said Hilterman. “We’re here to show young people in the community that things are going on, and there are opportunities out there.”
