ITA MENTORING PROGRAM

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ITA MENTORING PROGRAM

• Excell Williams
• Erica Laughlin

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Mentoring Support Team

• Excell Williams, Academic Support Specialist
• Excell.williams_at_doit.wisc.edu
• 265-4297
• Erica Rosch, ITA Coordinator
• Laughlin_at_doit.wisc.edu
• 265-2408

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What Is ITA?

• 4 year pre-college tech training access program
  
• Serves minority economically disadvantaged
  children in the Madison area

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Program Goals

• Bridge the Digital Divide
• Students receive computer, printer scanner for
  use during 4 years of program
• Dial-up internet connection provided
• Software manuals provided

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Program Goals

• Increase the number of these students interested
  and prepared to assume IT careers
• Technical Training
• Job Shadowing
• Career Seminars
• Internships
• Mentoring

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Program Goals

• Prepare studentsfor competitive University
  admissions
• Academic Support (Academic Reviews, Course
  Planning, Tutoring)
• Skill-Building Classes
• Scholarship provided by the PEOPLE program

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ITA Program Schedule

• Summer Program
• 2-week day camp for rising Freshmen Sophomores
• 2-week residential internship for rising Juniors
• External internship program for rising Seniors
• 8-week Bridge to College program for graduates
• Bi-weekly meetings/training during academic year
  (120 hours/year)
• Spring Showcase

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Our Expectations

• Observe steady continual improvement in grades
  test scores
• 70-80 admitted to college

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PURPOSE of the ITA Mentor Program?

• To assist in retaining students in ITA through
  high school graduation by providing a network of
  caring adults who can
• Provide support, encouragement motivation
• Offer a first-hand view of a professional
  employee in action, and the dimensions of work in
  the real-world
• Provide information and resources to students re
  their interests (tech other)
• Help students set achieve goals related to
  their interests and skills
• Introduce students to new and exciting issues and
  trends in various fields

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Mentor Time Commitment

• 2-4 hours/month
• Ideally 1 hour per week
• Mentor student for entire four years of program,
  if possible

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Mentor-Mentee Communication

• On-Line (email, chat room, etc.)
• Telephone
• Face-to-face (at least once a month on ITA
  Monthly Meeting dates)
• Face-to-face meetings outside of the monthly ITA
  Meetings must be set up on your own, and arranged
  with the consent of your Mentees parent or
  guardian.

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Reporting Responsibilities

• Promptly report the following to Excell or Erica
  
• Specific questions, issues, or concerns about
  your Mentee
• Mentee not in touch with you or responding to
  your efforts
• Mentee experiencing academic or personal
  challenges or crises
• Changes in your availability as an ITA Mentor

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Schedule

• Mentoring activities will formally begin
  September 17, 2005.
• Will continue throughout the rest of the academic
  year.
• Summer involvement is optional and at the
  discretion of the Mentor Mentee.

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Upcoming Events

• First Lunch Meeting with Mentee
• September 17th, 1200-100 p.m.
• Student will meet you outside of Einsteins at
  Union South
• Holiday Luncheon (meet parents)
• December 10th, 1200-200
• Union South (TITU)

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What is a Mentor?

• Personal reflections
• Roles
• Boundaries
• Responsibilities

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What is your role as an ITA Mentor?

• Role Model Provide an example of a responsible
  tech professional in action share your
  experiences talents
• Advisor Guide and direct students to
  opportunities, experiences, information, and
  networks that build their knowledge and skills as
  future tech professionals
• Friend Listen and encourage on tech and non-tech
  related issues that students may share with you

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What you are NOT responsible for

• Counseling on deeply personal matters
• Helping with homework
• Direct teaching an/or instruction
• of technical skills
• unless your schedule permits and you have the
  skills your Mentee seeks

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Mentoring

• Understanding the Mentor/Mentee Relationship
  The Benefits of Mentoring

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Where can I learn more about mentoring?

• Read How to Be a Great Mentor magazine
• Explore resources available at website
  www.mentoring.org
• Talk to other mentors
• Dont be afraid to ask for help