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Alaska Airlines Mentoring Program Links Experience With Opportunity For Employees
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1/4/2008 1:37 p.m.
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Last year, more than Alaska Airlines 50 management employees paired up with volunteer mentors as part of a new Mentoring Program.
Sarah Dalton, director of airspace and technology and Mentoring Program chairperson, says participation and success of the program in 2007 — it's first year — far exceeded the goal.
"We're very excited about offering it again this year," she says.
Online applications for the 2008 Mentoring Program will be accepted through Jan.18. By pairing management employees with their more experienced counterparts in a one-on-one mentoring relationship, the program aims to foster shared experiences and employee growth across divisions.
"The program is about telling a great story about one's own experience, de-briefing an assignment, building connections and learning from others," says Claudia Hage, organization development consultant.
For Beth Forrar, an employee services generalist in Seattle, having Mary Hefty as her mentor not only provided a sounding board, but a link to an area of the company she ordinarily wouldn't frequent. Hefty is director of station operations in Alaska.
"I really enjoyed the opportunities Mary provided me to network with internal leaders throughout the company as well as external partners who have a vested interest in our business, especially within the state of Alaska," Forrar says.
Forrar applied for the Mentoring Program to gain perspective on the company and her career. She and Hefty kept in touch via phone and e-mail and also met in person several times. Despite the distance, both felt they weren't hampered in communicating.
"Mary has been a resource for me throughout the year," Forrar says. "I know I can count on her for honest, straightforward feedback when discussing my career or professional decisions I've made. It's always great to hear another perspective."
For Hefty, a 13-year veteran of Alaska Airlines, being a mentor allowed her to "give back."
"I volunteered to be a mentor because I reflected back on the mentors I've had and how valuable they were to me," Hefty says. "I also thought that sharing some of my experiences might be helpful for someone else. And when I say ‘experiences,' I mean mistakes as well as successes."
Hage says many of the mentors were at first unsure how they could contribute to a mentoring partnership. After a year, however, mentees say the partnership and shared experiences were invaluable. The benefit goes both ways.
Portland Customer Service Manager Penny Jordahl, also a mentor, enjoyed the opportunity to work with an employee outside her station.
"Development is a high priority in Portland. I was anxious to see if I could take that same focus outside the station," Jordahl says.
Krista Romoser, inventory control specialist for Alaska Airlines Vacations in Seattle, appreciated learning about the airport side of the operation through Jordahl. "I've always worked in the Call Center, so seeing the airport operations was very interesting," Romoser says.
"It's a tool that not only builds relationships throughout the company, but gives you a broader view of our business and shows how many opportunities there are in all divisions to make a contribution," Forrar says.
Romoser couldn't agree more. "It's really a wonderful experience."
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