Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1180920
"…The really great people make you feel that you too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with who you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and you are also designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of a friend for your friends." – Mark Twain I have been lucky enough to have several people in my career that I can gladly call on as mentors. The relation- ships have always been fairly informal, but still have brought me a great deal of invaluable knowledge, advice and camaraderie. Career Beginnings I started my career in the ICT industry by chance. I did not dream of becom- ing an estimator, engineer and account manager for a low-voltage contractor. I did not have a vision board with RCDD ® , OSP ™ and DCDC ™ on it. Yet, through my relationships over the years, I began seeing that this industry I had fallen into could lead to an interesting and fruitful career, and I started carving out my path. The more people I met, the more opportunities I saw. And the more mentor relationships I was able to build, the more I believed I had "fallen into" the career I was truly meant for. I first met Brian Ensign, RCDD, NTS, OSP, RTPM, CSI, when I was sitting for my RCDD exam at Legrand Headquarters in 2009; I was inspired by what he had already done in his career. I met Ed Donelan, RCDD, ESS, NTS, when I sat for my second attempt at my OSP exam in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2010 and now we try to meet up any time I am in New York City. I met Michele Neifing and Carol Everett Oliver, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, when I first started volunteering for BICSI and they immediately took me under their wings and started coaching me. They have become two of my greatest cheerleaders. I know I can call any of these colleagues with any questions about work, career goals/path and even life, and have a meaningful conversation and gain valuable advice and insight. Mentorship Program Needed If BICSI had a Mentorship Program in place when I first joined more than 10 years ago, I would have jumped at the opportunity for a formal mentoring relationship. This is what has driven my goal and why I have made it my objective over the past five years to create this much needed program to serve the future of the BICSI organiza- tion. We are bringing the BICSI Global Mentorship Pilot Program to a close at (continued on page 8) Thank You to Our Global Mentorship Pilot Participants MOD Chair/Program Manager: Ashley H. Wills, RCDD, DCDC, OSP Mentees & Their Mentors (respectively) • Ashley Kellison, INST1 & Michele Neifing • David Underwood, RCDD & John Bakowski, RCDD, NTS, OSP, WD • Fernando Chavez, RCDD, DCDC & Mark Reynolds, RCDD • Heather Randolph & Carol Everett Oliver, RCDD, DCDC, ESS • Kaarin Taylor Nygren, RCDD & Carrie Goetz, RCDD, NTS • Sarah Haines, RCDD & Betty Bezos, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, OSP • Thomas Teprovich & Rick Foster This past year, BICSI launched a pilot program to contribute to the growth and development of tomorrow's ICT leaders, further advancing the ICT community. After a recent vote by the BICSI Board of Directors, the BICSI Global Mentorship Pilot Program has transitioned to an established program, volunteer-driven by the Membership Outreach & Development Committee. As part of the pilot program, seven Mentees were selected and aligned with seven Mentors. Each member committed to a one-year program, working together to help the Mentee set and achieve short- and long-term career goals. Through the BICSI Global Mentorship Program, a Mentee learns firsthand about the ICT industry through his/her Mentor's personal insight and guidance, helping Mentees to develop a vision and plan for their future. A Mentor is exposed to new ideas through interaction with up-and-coming talent and can grow his/her professional network with cross-generational, fellow Mentors and Mentees. We look forward to the continued growth and success of the BICSI Global Mentorship Program. To learn more and request a Mentor or Mentee application, email mentorship@bicsi.org. Applications for the 2020-2021 Mentorship Program are due 31 December 2019. ORGANIZATION Page 7