by Karen Clark
GameMentorOnline, the first-of-its-kind mentoring program for the game industry, is re-launching this Fall thanks to premier sponsor 3DVIA.
Originally founded in 2009 in a collaboration between Women in Games International and the IGDA Women in Games SIG, GameMentorOnline has brought together experienced industry leaders and students.
Now wholly owned by Women in Games International, with the support of 3DVIA and a new back-end system powered by Chronus Mentoring Solution, GameMentorOnline is able to provide mentoring to professionals as well as college students: anyone wishing to enter the industry or to advance in their career is welcome to join.
Mentoring is an overwhelmingly positive experience; according to a 2005 study, 96% of active mentors would recommend the experience to others. The positive effects of a mentoring relationship are felt by mentor and protege. For the protege, a new set of skills are learned or existing skills and theories can be made real. For the mentor, the satisfaction of helping someone is accompanied by the growth of leadership skills and self-discovery, too.
Mentors are asked to spend just one hour per week for a four-month period working with a protege. Mentors follow a guided program to help their proteges define and meet career goals. During the process, the mentor can expand their professional network, enhance teaching and presentation skills and gain a sense of satisfaction from helping others.
For more information or to enroll as a mentor or protege, visit http://www.gamementoronline.org.
Contents of The Fall 2011 Edition of the WIGI Newsletter
WIGI News
-GameMentorOnline: The First-of-its-Kind Mentoring Program in the Gaming Industry Returns
-WIGI to Participate in Girl Scouts’ GIRLTOPIA
-On Finding Women Speakers for New Game: Your Input
-LeVar Burton Creating Reading Rainbow iPad App
Sponsor News
-Develop AND Publish Online 3D Games Affordably…Really
WIGI Events
-Indie Games Soiree October 19th
-Upcoming WIGI Events: WIGI WAM (Women And Men)
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