Human Resources and Payroll

MASON FOOTSTEPS

Objective of the Program

Mason Footsteps is designed for Administrative/Professional Faculty and Classified Staff (Referred to as "employees" from here on) who are contemplating their next career steps. Maybe this is where you find yourself. You have been an employee at Mason for a few years and wonder what your options are for the future. What are your choices? Mason Footsteps is designed to assist you in helping to define those choices and gain perspective on your future career path.

Mason Footsteps will provide an opportunity to acquire experience and gain general knowledge of administrative project management as well as an understanding of how the university functions organizationally and operationally. This opportunity will help increase your understanding of the practices and procedures governing academic and university administration at Mason. Employees will be presented with a chance to observe first-hand the development, implementation, and day-to-day management of university administration.

The mentoring program is flexible. To enhance your understanding of university administration you can primarily shadow a senior administrator in an area of interest to you, as well as shadow others in order to receive a broader and deeper understanding of the university administration process. You will be privy to your mentor's decision-making, policy development, and day-to-day challenges allowing you to fully understand the role and determine whether your interests and skill set would be enhanced by a career step toward administration.

Description of Mason Footsteps

Mason Footsteps program assignments will vary greatly in terms of content. Observers may be involved in the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of the Senior Vice President, Development & Alumni Office, the Office of Equity and Diversity or other offices of interest to specific employees. Every attempt is made to match the interests of the observer with the needs of the participating units. Participants will be encouraged to examine their tool box of skills, network with other administrative/academic staff, attend professional training, and actively participate in governance. You are invited to join in the process of creating a larger community of caring for each other.

Projects that may be performed by the mentee could include:

• conducting research
• drafting documents, assisting in the organization of conferences, forums or other collaborative events
• partaking in university administration including observerships in creating policy, practice, infrastructure and governance

Guidelines:

• Mentees feel free to ask for advice, and mentors are resources for mentees - with the understanding that mentors don't have all the answers! With the mentees' permission, mentors seek out other experts if needed.
• Mentors should not attempt to handle situations for which they are not qualified; rather, they should refer their mentee to any campus (or other) resource when needed.
• Mentors and mentees work together to develop, establish, and meet realistic, obtainable goals. They can set one or two goals at a time, or they can set short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals - whatever suits the pair and the identified goals.
• Mentors encourage their mentees to become an integral part of the campus community through networking-and, when appropriate, to become future mentors.
• Mentors and mentees periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the mentoring relationship. They assess whether or not (and why or why not) they are meeting the goals they identified.

What are the Benefits of participating in Mason Footsteps

Mentoring is a way for employees to become more engaged with their profession and the University. Mason Footsteps will provide both parties with greater awareness, sharper skills, and deeper knowledge. Benefits would include but are not limited to:

• Promoting professional and personal development for mentees and mentors by creating more knowledgeable leaders at every level of the organization
• Fostering communication across departments, units, and the campus
• Providing opportunities to share knowledge - and learn more -- Mason's culture. This would help increase satisfaction for mentors who are able to influence and participate in the professional and personal development of a less experienced person in the organization, and provide opportunity to learn from the mentee
• A means for mentees to enhance current job performance and develop competencies essential for future career development, including: self confidence, managerial and leadership skills, insights about themselves, problem-solving skills, and organizational understanding

Eligibility Requirement for Internship:

Candidates for Mason Footsteps will be selected on a competitive basis. Any Administrative/Professional Faculty or Classified Staff member may be nominated for the program and self nominations are accepted.

The following minimum qualifications are required:

• An employee of the university for at least three years
• Demonstrated interest in the field of organizational development and administration
• Interest in the work of the university administration and its projects in particular
• Approval of the supervisor and department head

How to Apply

Send the documents below to the Observer by October 31 for a Spring Observership and by April 30 for a Fall Observership:

• Completed Observership Request Form
• Copy of the most recent resume/vitae
• Once all signatures have been obtained forward the form to Human Resources & Payroll

Duration of Internship Assignments

Mason Footsteps assignments will typically be for one day per month or other mutually agreed timeframe depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of the department to receive observers. Pairs may meet regularly for coffee, or by attending group events together or by semi-regular conversations. Different plans work well for different people. The formal relationship is designed to last three to six months.