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• The 2023 Mentorship Program officially kicked off!

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About the Mentorship Program

Are you looking for a trusted advisor or are you a seasoned transportation professional who is ready to give back? If so, the WTS Mentorship Program is for you!

WTS encourages the professional development of its members and promotes industry recognition of women in transportation. For WTS San Diego, these goals are realized in part through its Mentorship Program, which pairs individuals at all levels in the local transportation industry with mentors of equal or greater experience.  We match “up and coming” transportation professionals and/or college students whose studies focus on transportation with an experienced industry professional and executive-level women with other accomplished executive-level women to meet the program goals and purpose.

Participants of the program will be fostering professional development, giving back to the industry and to our future leaders, and providing support for those who work, or are interested in working, in the transportation industry.

The program combines group and one-on-one mentorship activities to foster discussion in enhancing professional visibility and networking, career advancement, overcoming barriers to success, and work/life balance. Throughout the program term, the Mentorship Committee provides structure and support to the mentoring relationship.

Mentorship Levels

“Up and coming” Industry Professional

Industry professionals and/or students that are members of the San Diego Chapter can participate in the program and will be paired with another industry professional with equal or higher level of experience.  This program is open to both men and women.

• Must be a WTS member
  • To become a member, go to our membership section or contact our Membership Chair Morgan Wolfe at Morgan.Wolfe@aecom.com.
• Students can join for free!
• Program is open to both men and women
• 12-month program
• 1-2-hour commitment per month, including monthly connections between mentees and mentors and WTS activities
  • Activity attendance includes virtual professional development workshops, happy hours, and group events
  • Monthly connections between mentors and mentees can be as formal as shadowing a mentor to a meeting or as informal as meeting to chat over coffee
• All mentors and mentees should have the ability to make a commitment to the 12-month program, which will include attendance at one (1) kickoff meeting held in May 2023, and one (1) wrap-up event at the end of the program, plus monthly meetings between mentors and their mentees at mutually agreed-upon time and dates.

Executive Women

This exclusive program is aimed at pairing executive-level women in the transportation industry and related services with other executive-level women within the education, public and other private sector companies. This program will also continue to support senior and executive-level women who are employed by businesses which are certified as small, minority, woman-owned, disadvantaged, veteran disabled, etc. business enterprises working in the transportation industry or a related field.

• 12-month program
• 1-2-hour commitment per month, including regular connections between mentees and mentors and WTS activities.
  • Activity attendance includes virtual professional development workshops, happy hours, and group events
• All mentors and mentees should have the ability to make a commitment to the 12-month program, which will include attendance at one (1) kickoff meeting held in May 2023, and one (1) wrap-up event at the end of the program, plus regular meetings between mentors and their mentees at mutually agreed-upon time and dates.

• Mentors
  • Executive-level women from private and public sectors with a variety of titles, such as: CEO, Partner, Executive Vice President, Vice President, Officer, Director, Deputy Director, Principal, etc.
  • 15+ years of experience.

• Mentees
  • Executive and Senior-level women with similar titles as above who are employed in the education, public, or private sector.  We especially encourage candidates from businesses which are certified as small, minority, woman-owned, disadvantaged, veteran disabled, etc. business enterprises working in the transportation industry or a related field.
  • Must be a WTS member
    • To become a member, go to our membership section or contact our Membership Chair Morgan Wolfe at Morgan.Wolfe@aecom.com.

Apply to the Mentorship Program

Applications to the 2023 Mentorship Program can be accessed here:  

2023 Mentorship Program Mentee Application

2023 Mentorship Program Mentor Application

Be a Mentee

• Develop and enhance professional skills
• Receive career advice
• Network with Transportation professionals
• Get ongoing support from WTS-San Diego mentoring committee

Be a Mentor

• Give back and strengthen future leaders
• Enhance mentoring and leadership skills
• Network with other industry leaders

Questions?

Contact Michelle Balk at mbalk@balkbiological.com.