WIFM has curated a Mentorship Program free for all AFLA members. The program connects professionals at different stages of their careers, enabling them to gain valuable insights and perspectives from the AFLA fleet community. Regardless of your career stage, one-on-one mentorship can be one of the most rewarding partnerships for a fleet professional.
 
All AFLA members are welcome and encouraged to attend the WIFM hosted breakfast at AFLA 2024 on Monday, September 16th at 830am, followed by a panel discussion at 1030am in the San Antonio Ballroom focused on the Driving Spirit of Becoming Remarkable featuring:

• Kim Davidson from The Hourglass Foundation
• Laura Jozwiak from Wheels
• Megan Mahon from Premier Truck Rental
• Karla Jackson from Black Fleet Network
  

The Role of Mentorship in Women's Fleet Careers ~ Be a Mentor

Empowerment Through Guidance

• Building Confidence: Mentorship helps women in fleet careers gain the confidence to take on leadership roles, navigate challenges, and make informed decisions.
• Skill Development: Mentors can provide valuable insights into industry-specific skills, helping mentees to grow their technical and managerial capabilities.

Breaking Barriers

• Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry: Mentorship can help women overcome the unique challenges they face in a traditionally male-dominated industry by providing support, encouragement, and practical advice.
• Career Advancement: With the guidance of experienced mentors, women can more effectively chart a path to career advancement, understanding the nuances of fleet management and operations.

Building a Network

• Expanding Professional Connections: Mentorship opens doors to broader industry networks, which can be critical for career growth and opportunities.
• Support System: A mentor can act as an advocate within the industry, helping mentees to connect with key influencers and decision-makers.

The Learning Curve: How Mentees Drive Their Own Fleet Careers

Before rising to global fame, Taylor Swift was working to establish her career in country music. During that time, Faith Hill was a consistent source of support whenever challenges arose. In a 2008 interview, Swift shared how Hill inspired her to move to Nashville, a decision that proved pivotal in her country music career. Swift also spoke about how she leaned on Hill for guidance as she advanced in her career. Now, with over 10 Grammy Awards and the title of AMA's Artist of the Decade, Taylor Swift is paying it forward by mentoring other women in the industry. While we may not be rising singer songwriter stars, each of us are rising stars in our organizations and the fleet industry, and mentorship is a benefit for both parties. Some key benefits include:

Career Advancement and Skill Development

• Accelerated Learning: Mentees benefit from the experience and knowledge of seasoned professionals, which helps them quickly develop the technical and managerial skills needed to advance in the fleet industry.
• Career Path Guidance: Mentors provide insights into the various career paths within the fleet industry, helping mentees identify opportunities and navigate their professional journey more effectively.

Building a Strong Professional Network

• Expanding Connections: Mentees gain access to their mentor’s network, allowing them to connect with key industry players, potential employers, and other influential figures in the fleet industry.
• Support System: Being a mentee helps establish a support network that can offer advice, encouragement, and opportunities throughout their career.
  

Increased Confidence and Leadership Opportunities

• Empowerment: Regular interaction with a mentor can boost a mentee's confidence in their abilities, encouraging them to take on more challenging roles and responsibilities.
• Leadership Development: Through mentorship, mentees often gain the guidance needed to step into leadership roles, helping to pave the way for more women in decision-making positions within the fleet industry.

The Pairing Process

The Mentorship Program connects professionals at various experience levels who seek to gain insights and knowledge from their AFLA fleet community. Regardless of your career stage, sharing best practices through one-on-one mentorship can lead to one of the most rewarding partnerships in the fleet industry.
Together, mentors and mentees engage in regular discussions, share experiences, and collaborate on professional development, fostering mutual growth and learning.

Our dynamic program matches mentors and mentees based on the specific areas of focus they indicate during the sign-up process. Both past and current participants have reported significant professional growth from serving as either a mentor or a mentee.

All AFLA members are encouraged and welcome to take part in this valuable opportunity.

Additional Information can be found:
https://www.afla.org/page/MentorshipResources

Sign-up below for this year's round of pairings:
https://www.afla.org/page/WIFMmentor

Learn more about WIFM and the many initiatives they sponsor at afla.org/womeninfleet
Want to sponsor the initiatives of WIFM? Contact us at info@afla.org to find out how.

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