ISRI’s third annual Mentorship Program begins this October, with program questionnaires to be completed and returned by Sept. 30. To date, more than 50 ISRI members have participated in the Mentorship Program that matches mentors with mentees to enhance professional experiences in recycled materials industry careers.
The sharing of industry experience allows mentors and mentees alike to develop new skills and expand their knowledge base through the program. To register, simply complete the brief survey and submit it to ISRI’s Rachel Bookman, rbookman@isri.org, by Sept. 30.
Brian Shine, ISRI past chair and CEO of Manitoba Corp., found the experience a great opportunity to give back. “In this industry it’s critically important for younger people to connect with mentors as they launch their career because there’s so much to learn.”
Kate Ilecki, general manager, Metallico received helpful support from her mentor, Nidhi Turakhia. “Nidhi helped me focus on some of the bigger picture issues and through some of the ‘firsts’ of everything I’m experiencing because I’m constantly being introduced to new day-to-day problems. Her tenure with her job is helping me get through my growth spurts.”
Benefits for mentors and mentees include:
- Outside perspective on both you and your business
- Sharing experiences of both failure and success
- Friendly, unbiased support and encouragement
- Honest and constructive feedback
- Sounding board for ideas
- Networking
- Strategizing advancement within your company and ISRI
- Supporting the growth of future ISRI Leaders
