Mentoring

I want to be a mentor

Applications for mentors for Cohort two are now open. Apply now

All CFA UK members with a minimum of 5 years experience in the investment sector can apply to be a mentor.

To be a CFA UK mentor we are looking for the following experience and qualities:

  • An investment professional who is willing to share their knowledge and experience and assist a mentee in identifying their goals/objectives and attaining them
  • Members of CFA UK who are working in the investment industry
  • Willing to commit to one-to-one mentoring with monthly online / face-to-face meetings
  • Personable, a good listener and highly organised
  • Willing to assist in the development of others 

Why become a mentor?

Shizuka Suga, CFA,Research Director, shares her experiences as a CFA UK mentor.

Shizuka Suga, CFA

  • Develop leadership and coaching skills
  • Enhance your communication and networking skills
  • Gain new perspectives and fresh ideas
  • Help shape the investment professionals of tomorrow

What are the timings for the Mentoring Programme 2022?

The 2022 Mentoring Programme opens for recruitment twice a year for mentees, expected to bring up to 100 mentors in total from November 2022.

Cohort two opens January 2023

 

A limited number of places are open with each recruitment drive and it is hoped in a 3 month window that a suitable mentor match will be found for all mentee applicants, though on the odd occasion this may take slightly longer.

What level of time commitment is required?

It is the responsibility of the mentee to drive the mentoring relationship organising meetings with you, preparing for the sessions and doing any follow-ups you assign to them.  However, it is your responsibility as the mentor to bring ideas and resources to support the mentor.

Average time spent by mentors is roughly 2 hours per month, though only 1 hour is spent with your mentee.

Moreover, mentoring pairs are asked to commit to meet at least 1 hour per month during the period of 6 months.

How do I apply?

Applications for February 2023 are now open! 

Complete an application form which will ask for information about the areas you can support in, the type of mentoring you can provide and a link to your LinkedIn profile.  If you do not have a LinkedIn profile, we will ask you to upload a current version of your CV.

How many mentees can I mentor?

We know that it is much harder to find mentors and therefore we ask that you think about mentoring more than one mentee.  In previous years, mentors have supported 2 to 3 mentees at the same time.

On application you can selected how many mentees you can support. If you have selected to be open to act as a mentor for more than one mentee, the Mentoring Programme Working Group will present you to more than one mentee across the year.

How will I be matched?

The matching will be facilitated by the Mentoring Programme Working Group,  which is a dedicated group of CFA UK member volunteers, based on your application and in line with the needs of mentees.

The matching process will be mentee led. This means that the matching will focus on what the mentee needs in terms of advice and support.  This may mean that you are not matched instantly.

The mentee will be offered 1-3 alternative mentors and will be asked to select the mentor of their choice. Your information will be given via your LinkedIn profile or CV, if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile.

The Mentoring working group will aim to match you within 3 months of your application but this may take longer depending on whether there is a suitable match to a mentee.

What training is available for Mentors?

All mentors will be asked to attend mandatory mentor training once their application has been accepted. If you apply, we ask that you hold this date in your diary and attend before you are matched. (in case of any update we will inform you throughout the onboarding process).

Throughout the Mentoring Programme, there will also be a selection of 2h personal development training made available for mentees and mentors on the topics of:

  • Networking
  • Influencing
  • Tools for Facilitation
  • Managing conflict
  • Managing change
  • Understanding EI

A schedule of training will be made available at the start of the programme.

A 2h masterclass will also be offered to mentors during the programme focused around honing coaching and leadership skills. More information will be provided during the onboarding process.

 

Questions or queries?