Several years ago, DRMP leadership created a multi-generational committee that brainstormed ways to foster collaboration between each generation represented by our employees. From that committee, DRMP’s Mentorship Program was created and I volunteered to get it started.

By creating mentor/mentee partnerships between individuals who don’t normally work together, for example a structures employee and a transportation employee, staff from different disciplines have a better understanding of how we all work together. Creating partnerships between employees in different offices emphasizes this even more and mentors benefit just as much as mentees. Each relationship promotes professional development and can help staff build a healthy work/life balance.

In our growing business, we feel the weight of keeping up with demand. Our mentorship program plays a role in increasing employee retention and shows our staff that each and every person is a valued team member. The relationships formed through this program allow staff to grow individually, which allows our firm to evolve.

Currently, the program is in its second year and our staff is finding the program more and more beneficial professionally and personally. I’ve mentored, unofficially, for many years and it’s rewarding seeing my mentees flourish and work through challenges. Now, with two mentees of my own in DRMP’s program, I’m personally invested in making sure they develop meaningful relationships and that our business, especially our client base, benefits as well.

As a hands-on professional development tool, our mentoring program is also beneficial for our clients. As our staff collaborates with each other, they’ll learn how to better communicate and work with our clients, which leads to greater success on our projects. As the program evolves, we will continue focusing on upholding the personal quality of our informal mentor/mentee relationships. Of course, increasing the number of employees involved with the program is one of our goals, but more importantly, we’d like to expand upon what the program can bring to our employees and the company as a whole.