Leadership LINKS Mentoring Program for Young Women
In 2022, Leadership LINKS, Inc. expanded its mentoring program offering to include our Leadership LINKS Mentoring Program for Young Women (ages 21-30) who are in the early or transitional stages of their professional careers, or are continuing their education in pursuit of their desired career field. We are committed to #MentoringAcrossGenerations, and we believe in making long-term investments to raise up the next generation of leaders.
BENEFITS AND VALUE PROPOSITION: This program will offer mentorship, professional development, life skills, coaching, character and spiritual development to assess one’s vocational calling, develop your leadership path, and cultivate a supportive professional Network, while also providing the tools and resources needed to thrive in the workplace. Find out more about our organization, our Statement of Faith, opportunities to serve, our Board of Directors, and our mentoring leadership team.
WHY?
Through this hybrid program (including monthly virtual mentoring sessions, with some face-to-face options throughout the mentoring season), Leadership LINKS, Inc. will fulfill its mission to provide leadership education that facilities impactful living, character and spiritual development by utilizing the following strategies:
Providing training and resources to assist LINKS Leaders (program participants) in cultivating healthy relationships and growing their personal Network; growing spiritually; managing mental health and wellness; developing personal goals; utilizing professional tools; and learning financial literacy; while building the communication and life skills needed to thrive as a leader in the workplace, at home, and in your community;
Providing mentorship, spiritual direction, leadership executive coaching, and career mentoring to help program participants clarify their PURPOSE, discern their vocational calling, and determine a path to meet their personal and professional goals;
Providing Leadership Exploration Workshops (LEWs) and/or guest speakers so LINKS Leaders are exposed to career fields where women are traditionally underrepresented in the higher echelons of business and entrepreneurship, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), media and arts, and the military and government; and
Providing a Network of peers, mentors, and sponsors within the program, including access to the organization’s leadership team and the Leadership LINKS Network (an intergenerational and multi-ethnic community of like-minded LINKS Leaders, as well as organizations, businesses, churches, and schools) who are all willing to help program participants on their life and leadership journey.
Leadership LINKS, Inc. is a faith-informed organization, meaning that the Christian faith of the organization’s leadership team informs every aspect of our lives, leadership, service to this organization, and the Leadership LINKS Network that we are intentionally cultivating. It also inspires our organizational programming and curriculum development. While commitment to the Christian faith is not a requirement for program participation; respect for this emphasis is important for a participant to get the most out of their program experience and to encourage positive mentoring group dynamics.
WHO?
This program is for young women (ages 21-30) who are:
Actively engaged and working in the early stages (the first one to four years) of their desired career field (i.e. are already in their desired career field but are just getting started and/or want to chart a leadership or career path for themselves), and/or
Attending college or university, community college, a trade school, certificate program, or working towards an associate or advanced degree, and/or
In transition between jobs and/or careers (or are unsure about their current career choice), and/or
Already working but are looking to build their confidence and leadership skills in the workplace.
WHAT?
The primary program requirement is the life and spiritual disciplines of YOUR COMMITMENT AND PRESENCE:
LINKS Leaders (program participants) are expected to participate in mentoring gatherings and complete program assignments.
The program will begin with a face-to-face orientation and retreat Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Atlanta, GA. Attending the retreat is required for program participation. This is an all inclusive retreat that is included with the program acceptance. However, arranging transportation to and from the retreat site is the program participant’s responsibility and the program participant is financially responsible for their own transportation. Retreat details are provided below.
Following the retreat and beginning in July, program participants will meet virtually twice (2) per month (once with the program directors for their monthly mentoring gathering, and once with their mentoring peer group at a time determined by the program participants). All LINKS Leaders are expected to attend every mentoring session and “arrive” (or dial-in to virtual sessions) 10 minutes in advance.
Program participants are also required to participate in any “Lunch and Learns” and/or Leadership Exploration Workshops (LEW) that are scheduled throughout the program to address pertinent life and leadership issues with experts and career mentors.
All LINKS Leaders are expected to practice the discipline of presence by honoring and respecting the humanity of all program participants (including organization leaders, mentors, peers, and guests). This practice includes full participation and active engagement through their speech, attentive listening, having a positive attitude, asking thoughtful questions, and by having a curiosity and posture for learning. LINKS Leaders are expected to keep their videos on throughout all program or mentoring activities.
All LINKS Leaders are expected to participate, prepare for, and complete any program requirements which may include reading and/or professional assignments or assessments.
Internet access and an electronic device are both required for program participation (Note for a professional visual presentation: a computer, laptop, or tablet with a camera option is preferred over a phone). All LINKS Leaders must have a dedicated and quiet location to participate and focus on the program without distraction. All LINKS Leaders must use their camera option for a visual display during program participation.
Service is a Leadership LINKS core value. This program is minimally priced to ensure equity for all interested parties. LINKS Leaders are expected to practice what is modeled and offered to them by serving the organization. Serving within the organization and/or completing a Capstone service project is a requirement for program participation.
WHEN?
Once the application goes live, we have a rolling acceptance. Applicants will be notified no later than June 1, 2024 with a decision regarding their program acceptance.
The program will begin with a June orientation and retreat between Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23, 2024 in Atlanta, GA. The program utilizes a team and mentoring group model. Monthly mentoring gatherings will resume in July (current year) through April (next calendar year) (and will include one organizational mentoring session with the program director and mentors, one peer mentoring group gathering per month, and occasional “Lunch and Learn” sessions with experts and career mentors). The mentoring meeting times will be decided at the retreat, as determined by participants’ schedules. Most gatherings will be held virtually via Zoom.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Registration for the 2024-2025 program is now closed Please email admin@LeadershipLINKSinc.org with questions or to express interests concerning future programs.
Submit your short biography to this email address: admin@LeadershipLINKSinc.org with the SUBJECT LINE: “Mentoring Young Women Application Biography [insert your full name]” no later than the application deadline. Biography guidelines: Your biography should not be longer than one (1) page, typed, double spaced. Include your full name, phone number, and email address, where are you from (geographical city and state or country); personal information (family life); current thoughts/feelings about your job, career, and/or education or training experience (ex. current certification, current college with your classification, highest degree, academic major, or focus of study); what sparks your interest in Leadership LINKS, Inc. and this program; what makes you excited about life (ex. passions, hobbies, etc.); where would you like to see improvement in your personal and/or professional life; and anything else you would like for us to know.
Pay the program nonrefundable application fee: The nonrefundable $50 application payment is required for application completion prior to the program registration deadline. Once program participants have been accepted, the full program registration fee of $200, or the monthly payment of $20/month (due on the first of each month between July (of the current year)-April (of the next calendar year) can be processed using the buttons below. There will be no program refunds after program selection, and none will be granted for a program drop or removal after the program acceptance date.
SAVE THE DATES for Program interviews. Dates To Be Determined.
PROGRAM RETREAT: The program retreat is normally held Friday evening-Sunday evening during the forth weekend of June. Please plan to arrive no later than 5:00 pm ET on Friday, and depart no earlier than 6:00 pm on Sunday.
Space is limited for this highly selective program. We will have a rolling admission; therefore, we encourage committed applicants to complete their application early.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter at the bottom of the homepage, and be the first to receive updates about all of our organization’s program offerings. If you have questions or need additional information, email us at admin@LeadershipLINKSinc.org.
