National Mentoring Month, celebrated each January, highlights the critical role mentoring plays in personal and professional development. It is a time for companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions to recognize the importance of mentorship, both for employees and for the wider community. Companies are increasingly taking advantage of the month to reflect on and enhance their mentorship programs, with many introducing new initiatives, celebrating mentors, and engaging in community outreach. Here’s how:
1. Launching and Promoting Mentorship Programs
Many companies launch new mentoring programs or promote the ones already in place for national mentoring month. Mentoring can have a profound effect on employee engagement, leadership development, and retention, so companies are eager to create opportunities for both formal and informal mentoring relationships to thrive.
For instance, corporations with established mentoring programs, like Deloitte, use January as a time to commemorate employees’ activities and participate in sessions and keynotes at the National Mentoring Summit. The company takes pride in its mentors’ commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world.
Other organizations that haven’t yet implemented formal mentoring programs use National Mentoring Month as an opportunity to begin laying the groundwork, launching pilot programs, recruiting mentors, and engaging employees in conversations about the benefits of mentorship for both personal growth and career advancement.
2. Celebrating and Recognizing Mentors
National Mentoring Month provides a unique opportunity for companies to shine a light on the individuals who dedicate their time to helping others grow professionally. Many businesses use this month to recognize their mentors through awards, shout-outs, or social media campaigns. This recognition not only highlights the positive impact mentors have on their colleagues but also encourages more people to consider becoming mentors themselves.
For example, companies celebrate National Mentoring Month with special events at which employees can nominate their mentors for recognition. The events often include lunch gatherings, virtual ceremonies, or award presentations, where mentors receive recognition in front of their peers–as “Most Impactful Mentor” or “Emerging Leader Mentor”–along with a certificate, trophy, or even a financial incentive..
In addition to internal recognition, companies partner with organizations like the National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR) to spotlight mentors who go above and beyond, both within their workplace and in the community to support youth. Through these partnerships, companies align their efforts with national initiatives, contributing to broader mentoring movements.
3. Engaging in Volunteer and Community-Based Mentoring
Beyond internal mentoring programs, many companies also embrace the opportunity to engage with their communities during National Mentoring Month. Organizations often partner with local schools, universities, or nonprofit organizations to provide mentorship opportunities for underserved youth or individuals who lack access to professional networks.
Corporate volunteer programs encourage employees to participate in mentoring initiatives through community outreach. Some companies organize “Mentor Days,” through which employees volunteer as mentors for local students or young professionals, sharing their career expertise, offering advice, and helping guide mentees through challenges they may face in their education or job searches. In doing so, companies not only support the personal and professional growth of others but also create a sense of purpose and civic engagement among their workforce.
Google, for example, runs a CS Research Mentorship Program to reach students from historically marginalized groups to progress in computing research pathways. Microsoft MVPs are celebrated for their commitment to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, startups, and student interest in technology. These initiatives contribute to the local community and help businesses cultivate a pipeline of potential talent and employees.
4. Utilizing Digital Platforms for Mentorship
Many companies have turned to virtual platforms to expand the reach and impact of their mentoring programs. National Mentoring Month has spurred many organizations to explore how technology can facilitate meaningful connections between mentors and mentees, especially in a hybrid or remote work environment.
For instance, companies like LinkedIn, IBM, and Salesforce have embraced online mentorship platforms, creating virtual spaces where employees can connect with one another across geographical boundaries. These platforms allow individuals to seek out mentors based on specific skills, career interests, or professional goals. Through these platforms, mentorship can take place through video chats, messaging, and collaborative tools, breaking down the barriers of time and location that sometimes limit in-person mentoring relationships.
Additionally, virtual mentorship allows companies to involve a broader range of mentors, including senior leaders, subject matter experts, and even alumni who may not be part of the immediate workforce but can still provide valuable guidance to current employees. National Mentoring Month presents an ideal opportunity for these companies to highlight and encourage the use of these platforms, making it easier for employees to participate in mentorship, no matter where they are based.
5. Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Through Mentorship
Many companies are recognizing the value of mentorship to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. National Mentoring Month serves as an opportunity for companies to launch initiatives that focus on mentoring underrepresented groups, such as women, people of color, and transgender individuals. Through these efforts, companies support advocacy and knowledge sharing to help employees navigate barriers to success in their careers.
Mentoring plays a vital role in supporting employees who may face systemic challenges in their professional lives, such as those who lack representation in leadership roles. By offering mentorship, companies can ensure that diverse talent is developed and that individuals from all backgrounds have access to the guidance and resources they need to succeed.
In response, organizations like Accenture have placed particular emphasis on mentorship programs that are specifically designed to support diversity initiatives. These programs aim to match underrepresented employees with senior mentors who can help them navigate challenges related to bias, offer career development advice, and introduce them to important networks and opportunities within the company.
6. Educational and Leadership Development Workshops
National Mentoring Month is also a time for companies to invest in the growth and development of both mentors and mentees through workshops and training sessions. These events provide employees with the tools and knowledge to become more effective mentors and mentees, ensuring that the relationships fostered during the month are productive and beneficial.
Workshops may focus on topics like communication skills, feedback delivery, and conflict resolution, helping mentors learn how to navigate challenging conversations or situations with mentees. For mentees, training may involve career development advice, resume building, or interview preparation. These workshops often complement formal mentorship programs and offer an additional layer of support for both mentors and mentees.
National Mentoring Month provides a powerful platform for companies to celebrate the importance of mentorship in both professional development and community engagement. From launching or promoting internal mentoring programs to recognizing the contributions of mentors, companies are finding meaningful ways to observe this month. By fostering a culture of mentoring, companies not only enhance employee growth and satisfaction but also contribute to building stronger communities, fostering diversity and inclusion, and driving leadership development. The observance of National Mentoring Month is a reminder that mentorship is not only a tool for individual success but a critical ingredient in creating thriving, inclusive workplaces and communities.