General Questions

• 1. Why is the Mentoring Program changing?

  The Mentoring Program will need to be realigned to meet our regulatory mandate under the Professional Governance Act. The program will be realigned to focus on supporting the path to licensure for applicants and trainees, helping them to attain their professional designation. As part of that goal, a particular emphasis will be placed on supporting our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals by supporting female applicants and trainees as the data shows that they experience a more significant drop-off during their application or trainee journey.

• 2. When will these changes go into effect?

  November 2022. During the transition period, Engineers and Geoscientists BC will continue to provide support to mentors and mentees to ensure both parties have the information needed on the program changes.

• 3. I currently participate in the program to discuss career development, retirement and succession planning, entrepreneurship, or other general business or career mentoring. Can I still formally participate in the program?

  Discussion and mentorships regarding these topics are valuable and are encouraged to continue informally. However, they will fall outside the scope of the revised Mentoring Program. The program will be refocused on assisting and supporting applicants and trainees becoming licensed as professional registrants.

• 4. I find value in professional practice guidance from my existing mentoring relationship. What are my options moving forward when these changes go into effect?

  The Practice Advice Program provides interpretation and guidance to registrants and other stakeholders regarding standards of professional and ethical practice as set out in the Professional Governance Act, Engineers and Geoscientists BC Bylaws, and any guidance published by Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Practice advisors available to assist you with your practice related questions. Anyone can contact a Practice Advisor with questions related to professional practice, ethics, and practice guidelines. You can reach them by email at [email protected] or visit the practice advice program page.

• 5. Who can participate in the mentoring program?

  Trainees (EIT or GIT) and applicants who are working towards their professional designation can participate as mentees.

  Professional registrants in good standing (P.Eng. or P.Geo.) can participate as mentors.

• 6. Is a mentor the same as a supervisor?

  Mentors and supervisors have different roles. A supervisor directly supervises the work of the engineer-in-training, geoscientist-in-training, or applicant. A mentor provides overall career advice and assists with issues that may arise during the professional experience phase. A mentor does not provide direct supervision to the engineer-in-training, geoscientist-in-training or applicant. The mentor and supervisor should work collaboratively to assist the engineer-in-training, geoscientist-in-training or applicant to achieve professional status.

• 7. Does the supervisor need to be involved in the mentoring relationship?

  While it is optimal that the supervisor and mentor work collaboratively to meet the needs of the mentee, the involvement of the supervisor in the mentoring relationship is not required.

• 8. What happens after I send in my application form to the mentoring program?

  The mentoring program coordinator will contact you to confirm if you qualify for the program. Following confirmation, you will gain access to the mentor listing. Please browse through the listing and apply to any interested mentors. Each request will be reviewed and forwarded by the program coordinator.

• 9. How long does it take for a match to be made?

  Engineers and Geoscientists BC is committed to matching all participants within a suitable time frame. However, it can sometimes take several months before a suitable match is made. Periodically, the mentor listing is updated with new mentors. Please check the listings often to apply to any new match requests.

• 10. How do you match mentors with mentees?

  A match is based mainly on the industry, expertise, and geographic location of the mentor and mentee.

• 11. Am I obligated to accept a match?

  No. It is important that you feel comfortable with the person you are matched with, so please feel free to let the mentoring program coordinator know your concerns, and they will initiate another potential match for you.

• 12. What happens during a mentor-mentee meeting?

  Please refer to the resources page for documents and templates that may be of assistance to you.

• 13. How often do the mentor and mentee meet?

  For maximum benefit, the mentor and mentee should communicate on a monthly basis.

• 14. Are Continuing Education (CE) Hours granted for involvement in the mentoring program?

  Continuing Education (CE) Hours can be claimed for mentoring activities as outlined in the Guide to Continuing Education Program.