What is NASPP Mentor Connect?
NASPP Mentor Connect is a mentorship experience that connects professionals who work in equity compensation for one-to-one career guidance, support, and feedback. Once approved, you use the NASPP Community Hub to find and connect with the mentor or mentee who best fits your goals. There are no assigned matches and no required programming.
Who can participate?
NASPP Mentor Connect is open to all NASPP members who work in equity compensation, at every career stage.
Is there a fee to participate?
Thanks to the support of Infinite Equity, there is no cost to NASPP members.
How often are mentors and mentees expected to meet? How long are the meetings?
We suggest meeting about once a month, but there's no required cadence. Each mentor/mentee pair agrees on a frequency and duration that meets the mentee's needs and is comfortable for both—most meetings run 30 minutes to an hour.
How long does the mentorship last?
Because NASPP Mentor Connect is flexible and self-directed, you and your match decide how often to meet and continue as long as it’s valuable to both of you. We suggest an initial commitment of about 12 months.
How will mentors and mentees meet?
Most meetings are held virtually on a platform that works for both parties (e.g., Zoom, Teams, or a phone call). If both of you are attending the NASPP Annual Conference, that's a great opportunity to meet in person.
FOR MENTORS
How do I become a mentor?
Click here to enroll as a mentor. You will answer questions about your current role, background, and experience (if any) with mentoring.
How and when will I connect with a mentee?
There are no assigned matches. Once the Community Hub opens on August 26, mentees will browse mentor profiles and reach out to the mentors who best fit their goals. Make sure your profile is complete so mentees can find you and decide whether you're a good fit.
Can I have more than one mentee?
Yes. Many mentors work with more than one mentee at a time, and you can work with up to three during a program cycle. You'll indicate how many mentees you're open to when you complete your profile. Keep in mind that you'll meet with each mentee separately, so be honest about your bandwidth, it's perfectly fine to work with just one.
What is my role as a mentor?
Your role is to serve as a resource and guide for your mentee—to listen, share your experience, and offer input, advice, and encouragement. Let your mentee take the lead in setting the agenda for your relationship and meetings. You're there to be a sounding board and to support your mentee so they feel more confident taking on new challenges.
What are my commitments and obligations as a mentor?
As a mentor, you commit to:
· Meet regularly with your mentee.
· Attend the mentor/mentee orientation.
· Willingly and enthusiastically share your experience and tips for success in equity compensation.
· Help your mentee define career objectives and provide constructive feedback.
· Be accessible, engaged, positive, and encouraging throughout the program.
· Observe and respect the confidentiality of your conversations with your mentee.
How much time will I need to invest as a mentor?
We recommend that you and your mentee agree on a schedule that works for both of you. Most important, discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start. Mentoring doesn't require much time. Most of the preparation for meetings falls to your mentee.
Am I expected to answer technical tax, accounting, securities law, or other legal questions?
No. You're not expected to be a technical expert. Your role is to provide career-related guidance. If your mentee has technical questions, you might brainstorm how they can find the answers they need or suggest helpful resources.
FOR MENTEES
How do I become a mentee?
Click here to enroll as a mentee. You will answer questions about your background and why you are interested in finding a mentor.
How and when will I connect with a mentor?
There are no assigned matches. Once the Community Hub opens on August 26, you'll be able to browse mentor profiles and reach out to the mentors who best fit your goals. Complete your profile first so mentors can learn more about you.
Can I have more than one mentor?
Because there are often fewer mentors than mentees, we ask mentees to work with just one mentor at a time. If the mentor you select isn't the right fit, you can end that relationship and connect with a different mentor.
What is my role as a mentee?
Your role is to direct the relationship, so you get what you need from it. Think about your career and mentorship goals and use them to drive the conversation with your mentor. (It's completely fine if your goal is to figure out what your goals are.) Some mentees work toward a specific goal; others use the relationship to address questions and challenges as they arise. Either way, your mentor will look to you to set the agenda for each meeting.
What are my commitments and obligations as a mentee?
As a mentee, you commit to:
· Meet regularly with your mentor.
· Attend the mentor/mentee orientation.
· Be prepared for your meetings and take an active role in agenda-setting to maximize your experience.
· Be open and transparent about your goals, expectations, challenges, and concerns so your mentor can best offer guidance.
· Be committed to personal development and both seek and be receptive to constructive feedback.
· Be accessible, engaged, positive, and encouraging throughout the program.
· Observe and respect the confidentiality of your conversations with your mentor.
Will my mentor be able to answer technical tax, accounting, securities law, or other legal questions?
No. Mentors aren't expected to be technical experts. Your mentor is there to offer support and career-related guidance. They may suggest helpful resources or brainstorm how you can find answers, but it isn't fair to expect your mentor to answer technical questions.