Mentoring Program
What is it?
The ARCS Mentoring Program is run by the Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists (ARCS). The Mentoring Program was established in response to a growing community of emerging and mid-career collections professionals seeking advice and guidance on complex collections management issues.
Who should participate?
Everyone! Interested Mentors and Mentees are needed for The ARCS Mentoring Program to be successful. The program is a two-way relationship where a mentor, an established museum professional, is partnered with an emerging or mid-career professional. Through the relationship, the mentee can solicit advice and ask questions to further their career. The mentor has the opportunity to support the collections stewardship community. Both parties can benefit by learning about new practices, tools, ideas, and discussions.
ARCS membership is required for participation.
What are the commitments?
Participants in the Mentoring Program are asked to commit for a 6-month period. In this time, it is expected that mentors and mentees will communicate and share ideas and knowledge. We will ensure communication is established, and check in on the relationship during the time period. At the end of the 6-month mentor relationship, the mentor and mentee can certainly continue their relationship outside of the program.
How do I apply?
Both interested mentors and mentees must fill out the Mentorship Application form which requires basic information on your interest and the upload of your resume. Once received, we will enter your information into our files, and use this to find a suitable match for mentors and mentees.
What is the schedule of events?
The ARCS Mentoring Program plans to match mentors to mentees twice a year, once in January and once in July of each year. Mentors are in continuous need, so are encouraged to participate in more than one matching round. Unless agreed to beforehand and mentors are available, mentees will not be partnered again.
The program Co-chairs will check in with the matches halfway through the mentorship.
What else should I know?
The ARCS Mentoring Program is 100% volunteer run, from the chairs to the mentors. The option of mentors will be limited to those available and interested in volunteering. We will do our best to make matches that meet the request of the participants. If you are unhappy with your match, you have the option to be paired the following round with a different mentor. However, we encourage all mentees to enter these relationships with an open mind and willingness to learn.
Questions?
Contact the Mentoring Co-Chairs at rcsmentoringprogram@gmail.com
