KVINFOs mentornetværk. Welcome

Transcription

1 KVINFOs mentornetværk Welcome

2 Why become a mentor? When I started my own company, I soon realized that networks are essential to making headway in Denmark. So far all my jobs have come about due to my network and personal contacts Grete, 44, engineer I think it is a waste of human resources that so many people arriving in this country with good educations are simply marginalised. I can make a difference with my network and contacts, and my list of friends isn t closed either Pernille, 30, project manager I see it as my duty as a citizen to share valuable knowledge with immigrants and refugees. Amongst other things, I can offer knowledge about the Danish labour market and its many different codes Laila, 50, trade union employee

3 Why become a mentee? Through the mentornetværk I ve finally met a Danish woman with the exact same professional background as myself. When I came to Denmark I only knew my husband, his family and their friends, and none of them works within my profession Harpreet, 29, biotechnologist I felt enormously relieved after the second meeting with my mentor. Now I was no longer alone with my problems in terms of applying for jobs and figuring out where I, with my qualifications, fit in job-wise. I ve been successful in my home country and I now believe that I will be successful here as well Heidi, 43, a former florist I recently received limited authorization to work as a nurse in Denmark. That s why I would like a mentor who can help me practise my Danish and fill me in on Danish hospital culture before I start working in a hospital Mahsa, 28, nurse

4 Information for mentees Who can become a mentee? Women, regardless of educational background, vocational training or age, who are either immigrants, refugees or Danes from an ethnic minority. A mentee should:. Ask questions, listen and be open to good advice and suggestions. Define her own goals regarding education and work. Be proactive and committed when meeting with her mentor. Be honest, patient and maintain confidentiality Practical guidelines You meet with your mentor approximately once a month. Together, you draw up a contract and set specific goals to be accomplished within a fixed period of time, between 6 to 12 months. As a mentee you set the agenda, while your mentor listens actively, and provides advice, encouragement, feedback and contacts. What is KVINFO s mentornetværk? KVINFO s mentornetværk matches refugee and immigrant women with women who are firmly established members of the Danish workforce. We call the parties mentees and mentors. Matching is based on the mentee s education, profession and personal wishes.

5 Facts about KVINFO s mentornetværk Support and exchange of mentor/mentee experiences KVINFO s mentornetværk offers frequent informal meetings, as well as workshops for all participants. Participants are able to benefit from each other s experiences and draw inspiration from informal as well as professional lecturers. The basic concept Through a one-on-one meeting of equals, mentors provide access to their professional networks, provide appropriate advice regarding job applications, job interviews, workplace culture, reassessment of job possibilities, etc. It is estimated that more than 50% of all job openings in Denmark are filled via personal networks. Networks are essential to gaining a foothold in Danish society. Take part in a dynamic network By participating in KVINFO s mentornetværk, you automatically gain access to a varied and dynamic network made up of a host of different women from all over the world, who have a wide array of educational and occupational backgrounds.

6 Soo dhawaaw Buyurun Who Buyurun participates in KVINFO s mentornetværk? Hvem er med i netværket? Soo dhawaaw Mentors are from workplaces such as: Mentees are, or look for jobs as: Novo Nordisk IBM Lundbeck COWI Københavns Kommune LO Rigshospitalet KAD Danmarks Blindebibliotek Novozymes Københavns Universitet Handelshøjskolen DR Dansk Røde Kors Danmarks Biblioteksskole DSB Danmarks Farmaceutiske Universitet Dansk Industri Ingeniørforeningen Danmarks Erhvervspædagogiske Læreruddannelse Nykredit Combifragt Group Københavns Energi Nurses Interpreters Dental technicians Midwives Economists Secretaries Photographers Shipping agents Pharmacists Doctors Engineers Bookkeepers Biologists Actresses Lab technicians Physicists Occupational therapists Dentists Teachers Computer scientists Biochemists Writers Lawyers Graphic designers Accountants Medical secretaries Liberal arts graduates Journalists Anthropologists Students

7 Information for mentors Who can become a mentor? Women of all ages with a wide range of occupations, varying degrees of professional experience and varying networks: IT professionals, secretaries, nurses, academics, etc. A mentor should:. Listen, ask questions, coach and discuss. Be prepared to provide access to her own networks. Be creative as well as realistic regarding a mentee s qualifications. Be honest, patient and maintain confidentiality Practical guidelines You meet with your mentee about once a month. Together, you draw up a contract and set specific goals to be accomplished within a fixed period of time, between 6 to 12 months. Mentees are responsible for setting the agenda, while you actively listen, coach and provide advice, encouragement, feedback and contacts. The needs of each mentee vary.

8 Please contact KVINFO to register or for further information KVINFOs mentornetværk KVINFO Chr. Brygge København K mentor@kvinfo.dk KVINFOs mentornetværk Kvindemuseet Domkirkepladsen Århus C mentor@womensmuseum.dk About KVINFO KVINFO is the Danish Centre for Information on Women and Gender. KVINFO is a grant-maintained, self-governing institution under The Ministry of Culture. KVINFOs main services are as a research library, a webmagazine, a free online encyclopedia, a database on women professionals as well as a large website with over 200,000 yearly visitors. KVINFO s mentornetværk is financed by The Ministry for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs for an initial period of four years, The mentornetværk is based in Greater Copenhagen and is preparing local chapters nationwide from 2004.