Mentoring makes an IMPACT! #WIC

It wasn't until a peer asked me to mentor a young college graduate who wanted to go into development, that I truly took that official step in mentoring. It got me one step closer to starting a group called Women Construction Forum Upstate, SC with RachelVeltri. Our goal was to build a small tribe of peers that supported each other and wanted to make an impact in an industry we love ~ construction.

One way we #giveback is through lunch and learns at career centers and technical schools in our community. We also started having hardhat tours at our member's project sites, so the younger members. We meet monthly after work to share stories and celebrate each other. Through all of this, I've learned the one thing all of us women have in common, is a desire to #makeanimpact through sharing our wisdom with the next generation - MENTORING females in non-traditional jobs! The impact you can make is huge ~ be an #IMPACTOR.

Christi Powell and I launched Women Talk Construction podcast and website the week of #WICWeek2022. We are bringing you stories from women in non-traditional, our website also has a forum: jobs, resources, scholarships, events, and connect with other women. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. We will soon be showing up at job sites with our camera crew to do Real Life interviews. Our goal is to show the next generation the endless opportunities and rewards that #skilledtrades can offer.

TIP 1?? Work for a company that understands and supports your values. I am so fortunate to be a member of the Hill Electric team. They understand the true value and impact we are making.

Here's what I discovered when I started Mentoring:

?? They are Inspired.

?? You can guide them through challenges.

?? Your wisdom can encourage growth & knowledge.

?? You, as a mentor, can gain new perspectives.

?? Don't be afraid to share your successes and failures ~ You are passing along a wealth of valuable knowledge.

?? By connecting them to peers that you feel are relevant in their growth, you're helping them start and learn to build relationships.

?? Your giving back will inspire them to do the same.

?? Help them diversify their connections with people that have had different experiences. Help them connect with peers that have gone through challenging times (recession in 2008), experience in a specific job, or a person that founded a company similar to what they hope to start.

?? Most important: Change a life and your own!

Racquel's path since we first met in 2018:

???? She mentioned to one of my peers that she wanted a mentor #womeninconstruction. We met at an event in Sept 2018.

???? Her goal was to obtain experience with Commercial Real Estate from the ground up.

???? She attended Clemson University:

???? Bachelor of Arts – English- May 2018?Emphasis in Writing and Publication Studies

???? Master of Real Estate Development December 2019

???? Speaks French conversational

???? She started a professional?DJ business during her time in college, entertaining large crowds (Greenville Drive and Greenville Swamp Rabbits)?

???? She founded her commercial real estate development company in 2021 ~ Caliber Real Estate and is involved in other projects in Upstate, South Carolina.?Caliber Real Estate is a full-service development firm based in Greenville, SC that acquires, develops, and manages commercial properties.

???? She is 27 and already giving back ~ Greenville Technical College students, ACTC career center students, and women wanting to enter construction. She is helping get them plugged in with the peers she has met and has built relationships with over the years.

TIP 2 ?? Start off #buildingrelationships earlier on in your career!

???? She has several people/mentors in her life that vary in backgrounds, knowledge, and connections - she reaches out for guidance and growth. (She helps us too. MENTORS can grow in these relationships!)

Tips for finding a mentor:

?? Tell people (teachers, peers, friends, guidance counselors) you are looking.

?? You can choose whom you want to be your mentor - you're interviewing them to make sure you mess well.

?? Visit some of the social sites and groups. (Sometimes people will note willing to mentor in their "About" section on LinkedIn).

?? It is a two-way street. The mentor receives just as much. Make sure you both have similar goals in the mentoring relationship.

?? Find out if your company has a mentoring program? Companies are starting either one-on-one programs or groups.

TIP 3 ?? START ~ It's that simple ??

Do you mentor? Share your mentoring story. ????

By mentoring and sharing my knowledge, I have found my passion and joy. I have made lifelong friendships. It has opened my eyes to how much support and guidance our industry truly needs. I have been blown away by how many around me want to make THAT needed IMPACT. #BeAnImpactor

???? Photo's and Videos' by David Junker of Muse 10 Photography

National Mentorship month has passed, but it doesn’t last for just one month! It’s a year-round gig.

#mentoring #giveback?#empoweringnextgeneration #storiesarepowerful #impactalife #womensupportingwomen #womeninnontraditionaljobs #womeninconstruction #womenconstructionforumUpstateSC