Director’s Note–Fall 2021 The Chain
We all need mentors, some of us more than others. I’ve been fortunate throughout my life to have mentors throughout my life, from when I worked on trade policy in Congress to business ventures to even back in college when Charley–you remember him?–mentored us into having a deep appreciation of the late, great Johnny Cash. Just last week, we had drinks with a long-time mentor who gave us great guidance on a data project we’re working on.
For many students, having mentors is key, both for the advice they receive and for developing their business networks Many students from disadvantaged backgrounds do not have the connections that help people be successful in life. For these and other reasons, our Center was pleased to help facilitate a new mentorship program between the Transportation Club of Seattle (TCS) and Highline College, with the idea of expanding it to other business institutions and colleges.
Members of the TCS volunteered to be mentors. Mentees were drawn from Highline’s Global Trade and Logistics BAS program. The mentors and mentees met regularly and eventually, once in-person meetings are a regular course of life, the students will be invited to participate in the monthly luncheons of the TCS. This will provide great opportunities for these students to build their business networks as they begin their careers in the global trade and logistics sector.
Our Center has been working with Highline and Green River College to provide a more formal structure for mentorship programs. The idea is to create a guidebook that both business organizations and educational institutions can use in launching mentorship programs. We are also exploring adding critical skills seminars and virtual international exchanges to such mentorship programs. Our Center has also talked with Tacoma Community College about its efforts to build mentorship programs.
Sometimes while doing this mentorship work, I feel we could use a mentor. Fortunately, we have many in working with these institutions. More, we hope, soon, on this initiative.
