Hand Up Program

Click here to request more information about ARA's Hand Up Program.

Why Hand Up?

Professionals who seek out mentors are more successful - it’s proven over and over. Yet finding a productive mentoring partnership can be difficult. It takes a combination of vulnerability, curiosity, confidence, a desire to grow, and humility for leaders to seek wisdom and assistance from others. It is also rare to find a person who will give you the space to explore your own unique avenues for success.

The ARA believes (because we’ve seen it in action) that these types of relationships accelerate learning and career advancement opportunities for both members in the partnership - those earlier in their careers, and those who are later.

The purpose of Hand Up is to create more opportunities for those types of relationships to form.

It is not expected that every member of this group will form deep bonds over time; but we do believe that you will find chemistry, connection, and a desire to continue with a subset of the participants with whom you are paired.

At its core, mentorship is a relational experience where people empower each other by sharing personal and professional resources. This concept is one of the great opportunities for professionals in the modern age.

The ARA’s sincerest hope is that Hand Up will leave participants more empowered now and in the future to achieve their biggest dreams.

Your Responsibilities

Lean in, trust the process, yourself, and each other.

Whether you are a member of the “Early Career” group or the “Late Career” group, be open to learning from one another and finding new professional and personal connections that are mutually beneficial.

Make the time.
Scheduling can be difficult, but don’t let “busy” be the enemy of your career development and dreams.

Dream big.
The issues of the day are important and will certainly be valuable topics in your mentorship discussions. They can also be the gateway to grander visions and bigger dreams. Get vulnerable and see where the conversation takes you!

Reflect.
Use the reflection form and take the time to absorb the insights by writing them down – this is often where the magic happens.

Program Structure and Expectations

This is a 6-month program requiring approx. 8 hours of mandatory, scheduled participation, and 4 additional hours of recommended/optional, scheduled participation. All meetings can be attended virtually.

Introductory Meeting (Zoom, Mandatory)

An opportunity to meet all fellow cohort members, share goals for the program, and clarify expectations and actions for the next 6 months

Monthly, Individual Rotation Meetings (Virtual or In-Person, your choice; Mandatory)

You will schedule a minimum of one, 1-hour meeting with a new member of the opposite career cohort each month (ie. only one meeting, but a different person each time). Participants will fill out a short reflection form after each meeting and submit to program coordinators.

Monthly Cohort Meetings (Virtual; Recommended)

Join an interactive, full-group discussion each month. Led by program facilitators, we will discuss key business and leadership topics and to create group learning.

Optional Individual Meetings (Virtual or In-Person, your choice; Optional)

As you get to know the various members of your cohort, feel free to continue meetings and deepen relationships.

Closing (Virtual, Mandatory)

At the end of 6 months, program facilitators will schedule a a wrap-up meeting to share feedback, gather key takeaways from the group and celebrate the investment you’ve each made in your careers and our industry.

Click here to request more information about ARA's Hand Up Program.