Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to be a mentor?
You must:
- Be a DHS employee (for at least one year),
- Be GS-13 (or equivalent),
- Be a paid DHS AAPIN member, and
- Complete and submit DHS AAPIN Mentoring Program application to DHS AAPIN by Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 12 PM EST (include "Mentoring Program" in subject line).
What are the requirements to be a mentee?
You must:
- Be a DHS employee,
- Be a paid DHS AAPIN member,
- Obtain and submit form showing first-line supervisor approval, and
- Complete and submit DHS AAPIN Mentoring Program application to DHS AAPIN by Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at 12 PM EST (include "Mentoring Program" in subject line).
How much are dues to be a DHS AAPIN member?
The membership fee is $25. Becoming a member is easy! Click here for more information on joining. You do not need to be a DHS AAPIN member to apply to the mentoring program. Once selected, however, you must pay the membership fee to participate in the program.
Can I pick my mentor or mentee?
No, the DHS AAPIN Mentoring Committee matches the pairs, with the objective of accommodating shared interests and mentor/mentee preferences.
Do I have to be a subject matter expert or have managerial experience to be a mentor in the DHS AAPIN program?
Subject matter expertise or managerial experience helps, but to mentor, all you need is to have a general understanding of what resources are available for professional development in the federal government, and the desire to assist a mentee in reaching their goal(s). A mentor must be at least a GS-13 (or equivalent) or higher.
What is the difference between a mentor/mentee partnership and a peer partnership?
A peer partnership is a mentoring partnership between two experienced professionals who would benefit from a parallel information exchange, as opposed to the “teacher-student” model of a traditional mentor-mentee partnership.
What is the difference between training and mentoring?
Training is generally delivered according to a predetermined curriculum, with the trainee carrying the burden of meeting the curriculum's deliverables. Mentoring is a more customized activity, which assigns expectations to the mentor as well as to the mentee. In addition, the role of mentor may be to serve as a "role model," whereas the role of a trainer is generally to deliver a specific content without having a "partnership" with the trainee.
How much time do I need to commit to the DHS AAPIN Mentoring Program?
The mentors are expected to actively support the mentee for six months. The time spent depends on the goals and availability of the participants. Participants may choose to continue their relationship beyond the DHS AAPIN time frame on their own. Pairs are expected to meet at least monthly.
How frequently should mentors and mentees communicate with each other?
DHS AAPIN defers to the mentor and the mentee to establish the frequency of their interactions based on their schedules and goals. However, pairs are expected to meet at least once a month (in-person or by phone).
As a mentor, how many hours am I expected to spend communicating with my mentee during the six-month program?
There is no set requirement. The mentor and the mentee should set up a schedule at the outset of the program. However, pairs are expected to meet at least once a month (in-person or by phone).
How long does the DHS AAPIN Mentoring Program last?
The program is a six-month-long program. This year’s mentoring program will run from January through June 2018. The kickoff event will be on Wednesday, January 17th, 2018.
Is the DHS AAPIN Mentoring Program limited to only individuals who identify as Asian American Pacific Islander?
No, DHS AAPIN welcomes all DHS employees to join DHS AAPIN as members and participate in DHS AAPIN activities.
Will there be an opportunity for feedback during or after the sessions?
At the conclusion of the mentoring program, DHS AAPIN will email a survey to all mentors and mentees for feedback on the program. DHS AAPIN also encourages feedback at any time – you may contact any board member with your suggestions, comments, or concerns.