Wednesday, October 23, 2019

DEMA Launches Mentorship Program

Just in time for participants to meet face-to-face during DEMA Show, DEMA is launching a new Mentorship Program.  Any current DEMA Member may participate in this program designed to help diving industry mentors and mentees learn from each other.
This Mentorship Program epitomizes DEMA’s Mission; to bring businesses together to grow the diving industry worldwide and celebrates the wealth of mentoring experience available in the company of DEMA Members.
Mentoring is a proven way to provide learning and development to both parties.  In the diving industry, many new professionals are seeking ways to navigate a career path in the industry that allows them to make a living while embracing a unique lifestyle. Seasoned diving professionals understand the need to adopt a succession plan for the industry that brings in new and excited professionals with great ideas and unique skills.  Veterans of the industry can help guide new professionals through many of the obstacles they may encounter on their professional journey, while these veterans also learn new skills in the areas of technology, social media, and more.
The Mentorship Program was conceived, in part, by the DEMA “Emerging Leaders” Task Force established at the beginning of 2019.  Working for more than five months on the logistics and administration of the program, this group of new professionals helped develop criteria based on the needs of those coming into the industry, and knowing that seasoned professionals are also interested in making sure the diving industry survives and thrives in the future. 
Mentees in the program are DEMA Members who are “new professionals” in the industry, regardless of age.  “New professionals” are defined as those who have been professionals in the recreational diving industry for five years or less. Any qualified DEMA Member new professional can apply to be a mentee if they are willing to participate within the structure and rules of the program.  Not all those who apply will be immediately matched.
Mentors are any DEMA Member volunteer from any of DEMA’s stakeholder groups, willing to serve within the structure and rules of the program. Through DEMA’s Mentorship Program Committee, selected mentors will be matched to mentees based on the interests and goals of both.  Owing to the matching process, not all those who apply will be immediately selected as mentors.
HOW DOES IT WORK? The process is simple: Mentors and mentees complete an application and submit it to DEMA’s Mentorship Committee for review.  All applicants are invited to the inaugural luncheon at DEMA Show, where the program will be introduced.  The Mentorship Program begins following DEMA Show 2019. 
INTERESTED? Download DEMA’s Mentorship Participation Handbook and apply online to participate as a mentor or mentee. Selected participants are required to commit to the rules of the Mentorship Program, but there are no fees to DEMA for applying or participating.  Applicants should plan to attend the inaugural luncheon conducted at DEMA Show on November 16, 2019 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

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