Forward

This mentoring kit has been developed from my own experience of setting up an intern program for young women. When my teenage son left school he did what many young people did and completed a Gap year in England. But many young people are not ready to travel or go straight from high school to university.

It struck me that a lot of great talent was being wasted in retail jobs or fast food chains where personal development can be limited. Designing and implementing this program has been progressively done over a number of years as I mentored some wonderful young women who will remain life long friends.

Mentoring is a powerful tool to allowing these young women to see beyond today and aim much higher, looking at possibilities they may not have considered. Each person who has completed the course has gone on to tertiary education that they may not have considered without that crucial bit of extra support and encouragement.

These young women have left our company different people, more confident, mature, with greater business savvy and excited about the opportunities the future holds.

This program also allowed me to expand my own knowledge and capabilities and given me a quiet sense of achievement, making a difference in a positive way.

I hope you use these notes to set up a program and enjoy the rewards.

Each of the young women who has completed the 12 month program has encouraged me to take this program to you all. To these women I would like to say thank you.

Carol Cooke
Director
CIC Group
2 March 2007

About The Author

Carol Cooke

Carol Cooke has over twenty years of experience in sales, marketing and training in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry. Consistently in the top 5% of sales growth, Carol has managed territories in NSW, Vic and the ACT. Experience in retail sales, general practitioner and the specialist hospital field have all ensured Carol has broad based and practical experience in all aspects of sales and marketing.

Now a Director of her own three companies, she manages a dynamic sales and marketing team and has 6 years of practical commercial small business expertise. She has been responsible for launching new product ranges across Australia and Asia - and is now exporting a new Australian product world wide.

Her enthusiastic, pro-active approach to training and mentoring has lead to setting up an innovative Intern Mentoring Program. This program encourages young women who have completed Year 12 to complete 12 months in a paid position to gain an understanding of ‘the real world of business’. During the year these women gain experience, while working closely with Carol, to develop business skills which assist in coping better with tertiary education and future employment.

During the 12 month program each young woman is encouraged to complete a business certificate which is funded by the company. This program has been so successful – and with such positive feedback from the mentees - that Carol is keen to help other women set up their own mentoring program.

Launching this program Australia wide, Carol is available to speak to you at local womens networking meetings or business functions. Hear how she has gone about setting up this program, the benefits for both the Mentors and the mentees and her plans to launching this program Australia wide.