As we discussed in class, mentorship is very important. Feminist mentorship is my focus for
this blog. From what we discussed in class, a mentor is someone who
helps you through either good or difficult times. They provide advice
for you and are a resource for your needs. According to Monica
J. Casper in her article The Intimacy of Mentoring, “mentees
typically receive the benefit of the mentor's experience, expertise,
and encouragement,” which is what most call the three E's of
mentorship. Well in the Orijen Group the mentors are well prepared to
serve women in their professional careers. Their mentoring program
has three core aims which are: Retaining and nurturing existing
talent, encouraging a culture of diversity and inclusion, empowering
women leaders. So in this part of their program they are using their
expertise and experience to encourage women to obtain leading
positions in their field.
As women in this society, and as we
have seen in class, we are less likely to obtain high positions in
our fields. Especially if the field is male dominated. In my believe,
since most women know this, we are less likely to apply to those
positions to limit our ridicule, or so we think. Therefore, it seems
like a cycle in which everyone participates in some way or another.
Because we are afraid to be turned down, since we know the percent of
women who hold these positions is very low, we don't apply and in
turn keep that percentage the same if not less.
That is why the goal this group is
trying to achieve is incredible because they are focusing on women.
Everyone needs a mentor, but to have someone from the same position as
you help you out in the journey, well that starts another cycle. In
this cycle if women help each other then more women are willing to
take the risk and apply to these higher positions. Then we are able
to see how big of an impact mentoring can have on someone. That is
why I believe that this group is taking on a great responsibility to
help out other women and thus, maybe without knowing it,
participating in the feminist movement.
Link: http://www.orijen.com.au/about-us/
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB-WWZ8eKww
I think this is a fantastic idea! As an economics minor it’s hard to find women in the same field to talk to. This is great connecting through business relationships. It’s also great that it targets older women. Like we discussed in class, while its great for younger children to have mentors, older women need them too. However, do you think it maybe unfair to have this be only women based? For instance, if there was a group that only promoted males in the work force we may consider it to be sexist. I think that this could be a fantastic program if it helped both men and women. Regardless, I would still definitely use the website for mentorship as well as networking.
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