Student Mentoring Program

MISSION
The AWN Student Mentoring Program is designed to formalize the process of education and to impart information designed to develop and clarify the professional career plans of participants.  The program provides individual high school juniors with information needed to make rational career choices.  We provide students with opportunities to have hands-on experience within their chosen career field, and to develop networking skills necessary for success in pursuing any career.  AWN sponsors the program in cooperation with local public and private school, and the Rotary Club of Amarillo.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Each student participant (called a Mentee) is linked with an AWN member (the Mentor) who is active in a career chosen by the student as her career choice.  There are seven defined career areas:

• Finance
• Communications
• Education/Social Services
• Health/Mental Health
• Legal Services/Government
• Business/Sales Entrepreneurship
• High Tech/Management

PROSPECTIVE MENTEE PARTICIPANTS
Each high school in Amarillo and Canyon is invited to select one girl in each career area to participate in the program.  Amarillo area and Canyon high schools provide approximately 70 student Mentees.  Mentees are selected on the basis of their eligibility.

MENTOR/MENTEE CRITERIA
High school students participating in the program are chosen by a committee made up of a vocational counselor, senior counselor and principal from the student’s school.  Specific criteria for the selection process are defined by the AWN Steering Committee, with the stipulation that each participant:

• Agree to participate in the program voluntarily.
• Have an interest in a specific career area, as evidenced by:

School-related job, or
Plans for post-secondary education (interviews with schools counselors serve as verification), or
Recommendation by professionals in the chosen field.

• Make a commitment to completing the program as outlined.
• Maintain a record of good school attendance.
• Maintain a good school citizenship record
• Maintain at least a “C” average.

Each student will be assigned to a Mentor who has been screened by the Steering Committee and has agreed to:

• Contact the Mentee before the scheduled orientation.
• Share in specific growth/learning experiences with the Mentee for the duration of the Program (as outlined in the guidelines).
• Participate with the Mentee in determining short and long-range career goals and then committing them to paper.
• Participate with the Mentee on at least one project, with measurable results. 
• Assist in evaluating her specific mentoring experience, as well as the overall program.

The mentor program begins each fall and runs through the spring.  If you are interested in becoming a mentor, fill in the following form.  If you would prefer to print out the form, click here .  If you are a student interested in participating in the program, see your school counselor for information.    

2011-2012 MENTORING PROGRAM

Orientation held at school sites	Oct. 31 Nov. 11
Career Discovery Event - Discovery Center - Lunch	Dec. 7
Leadership Event for students / SIFE at WTAMU - Lunch	Jan. 26
Medical Profession Seminar - only for those in medical related fields of study	Feb. 23 *
AWN/Mentee luncheon – Sunburst Room / Bank One building	Mar. 23
Final Student & Mentor Luncheon - Amarillo Country Club	TBA

* Tentative

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