Empowerment in personal growth, assistance in achieving career goals, and an increase in confidence are only a few of the benefits a mentee can receive from a senior role model.
Young people in Cayman have access to a few mentorship programmes designed to guide, support and nurture leaders of tomorrow.
One such programme, specifically aimed at female mentors and mentees, is GirlForce 100, which is part of 100 Women in Finance’s Investing in the Next Generation initiatives.
GIRLFORCE 100
GirlForce 100 pairs local 100 Women in Finance members with girls aged 13-25, who have indicated an interest in a career in finance and have demonstrated notable potential.
Participating mentors guide mentees in the development and progression of their career paths, leading them to success. The initiative is now in its seventh year of operation, with six local schools participating.
“GirlForce 100’s influence has served as an inspiration for similar programmes in the US and Asia through its own growth,” says Christina Bodden, partner of the Maples Group and global board member of 100 Women in Finance. “With eight years of service in the Cayman Islands and a record for positively impacting young women in the community, we are excited to launch the 2022- 2023 recruitment campaign.”
GirlForce 100 is a strategic community partnership between 100 Women in Finance and the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education.
“Career mentorship is a keystone part of professional growth and GirlForce 100 excels in that,” says Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, MP, on behalf of the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education.
“Not only are they enabling their participants to achieve set goals; the critical part is we help them to see their potential to achieve them. We are proud to continue our partnership with GirlForce 100 in providing this best-in-class career mentoring programme. We look forward to celebrating our mentees’ many successes at the end of the educational year.”
POSITIVE OUTCOMES
Recent GirlForce 100 mentee Yesha Manoy has only positive things to say about the programme.
“As a mentee of GirlForce100 I have benefited from the advice and support of not only my mentor but the skills learnt through participating in events run by the wider programme,” says Yesha.
“I am delighted to be in the position to have received a number of scholarships and internships and excited to be continuing my studies in the UK. I would encourage all young women to grasp the opportunities this great program provides.”
Mentorship programmes such as GirlForce 100, are not just beneficial to mentees.
“For our mentors, there is immeasurable value in the programme; we are happy to have helped them develop powerful leadership skills and build on their own professional networks,” explains Christina Bodden. “Because of this intrinsic mutual value, the programme continues to grow nearly a decade later.”
Agne Miller, GirlForce 100 committee member and manager at Harbour Trust, is one such mentor to have contributed to, and benefitted from, the programme.
“One of the greatest achievements of my career has been the opportunity to help the next generation fulfil their potential,” says Agne. “By mentoring through GirlForce 100 it has been a privilege to steer young Caymanian women through school and into their further education and early careers. I feel such pride to see all the mentees achieve each milestone in their journey.”
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The 2022-2023 mentoring year began in October, however mentors are accepted throughout the year so are encouraged to sign up.
If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming part of GirlForce 100 visit: 100women.org/about-us/invest-nextgen/girlforce100/, or email Florence Jones at fl [email protected] to learn more. Check them out on Instagram @girlforce100cayman.
Access applications forms directly here:
PROGRAMME BENEFITS
Mentees of the GirlForce 100 programme have access to a range of benefits, including:
• One-on-one sessions with a selected mentor on a career path relevant to their interests.
• A free college-level membership to 100 Women in Finance.
• Online and in-person career education events, designed to prepare students with the knowledge, tools and tips for pre-employment networking, scholarship, internship and job placement success.
• Access to a vast online learning library of content, including previous 100WF events.
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