PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has started a mentoring program designed to help people who want to change their careers or improve their skills.
“This fills a gap,” said Teresa Verraes, the chamber’s executive director.
“We hope to get people in their 20s or 30s who want to grow in their chosen field or choose a new one.”
The program, which grew out of the Young Professionals Network, matches those who want to learn about succeeding in a particular field with those who have experience they want to share.
The program, which Verraes calls a “matchmaking service,” began this year and already has placed people in social work and Web design.
Those interested in the program, either as mentors or mentees, are asked to fill out short forms about their chosen fields, weekly availability and why they want to participate. Verraes said about 20 people have expressed interest in mentoring and are called upon if their skills are needed.
Port Townsend is an ideal place for this enterprise, she said.
“There are a lot of retired VPs and CEOs living here who ran their own businesses and are willing to share their knowledge,” she said.
“Port Townsend has a very diverse business culture.”
While each agreement is tailored to the participants’ schedules, each one generally lasts about 90 days, which is an optimum time for them to be effective, Verraes said.
Some of the positive results that can occur from a mentorship are how to set realistic goals and develop leadership skills, she said.
The program is not a youth-oriented effort such as that offered by the YMCA; rather, it is for those in mid-career, Verraes said.
“We want people who are entrepreneurs, who are already in the workplace and are excited about starting a new job,” she said.
“They want to learn new skills that will help them build this business.”
“Those of us who have many years of business and life experience are given the opportunity to pass along the knowledge that we gained along the way,” said retired corporate worker Rich Ciccarone, who has served as a mentor.
“Showing a young adult how to achieve a particular goal may be all the confidence boost they need to progress and excel in their career, and it is most rewarding to watch a young adult work towards the next level in their career while under your guidance,” he added.
Ciccarone said he recommends this program to young professional adults seeking guidance or validation in their chosen career or those who want to experience the rewards of seeing a young adult prosper under their tutelage.
For more information about the program or to participate, call 360-385-7869 or email admin@jeffcountychamber.org.
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
