What are TechWomen Mentoring Circles?
Our mentoring circles are all about bringing people together to make new connections in their community.
We are facilitating groups of six mentees and two mentors to meet on a regular basis, in a safe and supportive environment, to discuss professional aspirations and challenges, with peers and senior mentors.
Registrations for the 2024 Mentoring Circles have now closed.
Who it is for:
Women business professionals.
Where it is:
In 2024, we plan to run in-person mentoring circles in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown, and virtual sessions on Teams.
All participants will be required to attend a virtual briefing session in the week of Monday 27 May. Multiple time options will be available.
Auckland – Microsoft, Level 5/22 Viaduct Harbour Avenue
- Wednesday, 19 June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 24 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 21 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 18 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 23 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Wellington – Deloitte, 20 Customhouse Quay
- Thursday, 20 June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday, 25 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday, 22 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday, 19 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday, 24 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Hamilton – Deloitte, 24 Anzac Parade, Claudelands
- Wednesday, 19 June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 24 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 21 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 18 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 23 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Palmerston North – Venue TBC in advance of first session
- Wednesday, 19 June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 24 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 21 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 18 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 23 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Christchurch – CyberCX, 105/235 High Street
- Wednesday, 3 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 24 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 21 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 18 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 23 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Dunedin – Education Perfect, Level 1, 77 Vogel Street
- Wednesday, 19 June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 24 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 21 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 18 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 23 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Queenstown – Both Brains, 15/70 Glenda Drive, Frankton
- Wednesday, 26 June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 24 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 21 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 18 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 23 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Virtual (multiple days available)
- Wednesday, 19 June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 24 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 21 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 18 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 23 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
or
- Thursday, 20 June, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday, 25 July, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday, 22 August, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday, 19 September, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Thursday, 24 October, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
What it is:
- Facilitated peer group mentoring
- Group discussion of non-technical aspects of career development (e.g. how to work with other people, how to deal with management, how to ask for a promotion)
- Career path planning and development
- Networking with new people
What it is not:
- Formal or structured
- One-on-one coaching
- Mentoring training (e.g. tools/techniques for mentoring)
- Technical training/coaching
- Mentoring for students (see our high school program – ShadowTech, for that)
Benefits of a Circle:
- Mentees benefit from multiple mentors
- Feedback from peers as well as a mentor will provide the mentee with more diverse points of view and a variety of insights
- It will create a support network with local women in technology
- The group context will create opportunities for teamwork/collaboration on issues
- A circle will create a conversational style of mentoring which is less formal than one-on-one
- A wide variety of topics will be covered
Background
We recognise that there are different kinds of challenges and biases that women face across the globe. With a focus on Women in Tech, we’re dedicated to providing the resources women need to successfully drive their career. Rather than a formal mentorship matching programme, which can be challenging in a population of New Zealand’s size, we’d like create relationships that will provide women with the knowledge, experience, and perspectives that they need to grow and develop.
A Harvard study of 45 CEOs found that 84% of CEOs credited having a mentor relationship with helping them avoid costly mistakes and becoming proficient in their roles faster. Regardless of your level within the organisation, effective mentoring doesn’t just happen. It relies on you investing in yourself throughout the process.
We currently have approximately 30% female representation within the Tech sector in New Zealand, so we have a way to go to achieve diversity in regard to gender. We believe there needs to be an additional focus on supporting this group. This initiative links closely with the NZ Tech Women goal to help New Zealand women to succeed in the tech sector by creating connections, increasing knowledge and supporting growth.
2020 Mentee Testimonials
2019 Mentee and Mentor Testimonials
“I really feel I have grown and learn a lot in the mentoring circle”
“They were all very talented women and we created a good bond”
“There was a good mix of industries, technologies and personalities. This was excellent – made for good “compare and contrast” discussions”
“I think the addition of events would also be useful. Perhaps extending the length of the programme and include presentations or more social/networking elements in between the circle evenings.”
“There was a great mix of mentees so we could share different experiences. Mentors also had different backgrounds and paths which was very helpful”
“It was my interpretation that the program would be more specific to my role, however this was not the case. The topics were very broad and didn’t solve challenges I am facing in my career right now or improve my confidence. I would suggest role based groups next time this is run.”
“Charge people a small fee for no-shows e.g. $15 and use that money to buy snacks for the sessions. People open & bond better with food, and it would make the sessions less formal”
“More structure and guidance for the mentors. I would like to get some discussions on the topics like: visibility / personal branding, how to find time to invest in your career, public speaking with confidence, work life blend and the guilt factor etc.”
