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A Mentoring Program for Web Designers

By Theresa Wilkinson, W-edge design
Reprinted with permission from the STC Intercom magazine - June 2001 Volume 48, Issue 4.

When I decided to make the jump from technical writing to Web designing, I agonized for weeks with such questions as, "Can I do this?" "Where can I get help if I need it?" and "Am I making a huge mistake?" I scoured the Internet for information about my new field, but wished I had someone with whom I could bounce around ideas and discuss professional issues. When I attained some success as a Web designer, I thought about ways I could share information and resources that have helped me. I started publishing articles on Web design issues to help get the word out, but I thought there was still more that I could do. While I've never been fortunate enough to have a career mentor, I've always believed in the principle of mentoring.

Getting Started

Hoping to find ways to start a mentoring program for new Web designers, I joined the administrative council of the Central Ohio Chapter STC several years ago. There, I met Susan Moran and Frankie Hale of the Columbus State Community College. They supported my idea and invited me to speak about various Internet-related topics in the Technical Communications program at the college. At first, I held meetings in my home. The interest was encouraging, but holding the meetings at my home on Sunday afternoons was disruptive. I asked Susan if I could use a computer room at the college, where participants could use the computers to actually build Web sites.

I tried to promote these meetings, called "Ways of the Web," by word of mouth. Susan and Frankie told potential students about the meetings. I got information published in the Central Ohio chapter's monthly newsletter, Techniquill, but members usually received it after the meetings were held. Participation dried up.

I considered expanding the scope of the meetings to make them more alluring to potential attendees, but people will not come to meetings they don't know about. I needed a more organized way to both develop and promote the meetings.

Expanding the Program

With this goal in mind, I contacted Jamie Gehrlich of the Columbus Webgrrls. Webgrrls is a professional organization that encourages women to advance in the new media and technology industries. I had been to a couple of its meetings, and applied what I learned to the redesign of one of my Web sites. My efforts won several awards.

I wanted to expand my program to offer meetings or classes on various topics, including HTML, JavaScript, Photoshop, DHTML, XML, information architecture, Flash, Dreamweaver, and content writing. If there was interest, we could offer basic and advanced levels of some classes. I wanted the program to include a companion listserv or Web site that would allow participants to review class notes and find resources for more information.

In addition to regularly scheduled classes or meetings, I wanted to offer interested persons the opportunity to connect with individual mentors. This mentoring program could consist of regularly scheduled meetings, one-on-one meetings, or a listserv to which participants could pose questions and solicit responses from experts.

Jamie was very receptive to my ideas. She had wanted to start something very similar through Webgrrls but had no one to coordinate the efforts. I immediately volunteered.

Organizing the Program

My ideas were well received. I had backing of the Columbus Webgrrls. Now I needed a team of instructors. I had just finished organizing a "Landing the Perfect Career" meeting. After the meeting, I approached many of the panelists to ask if they would be interested in instructing classes on their areas of specialty. Many were very interested. My pool of instructors was building.

Jamie posted a form on the Columbus Webgrrls Web site asking members what classes they would be interested in taking. Meanwhile, I met with and e-mailed several companies, looking for a place to hold our classes for a nominal fee. At the time of this writing, we are offering classes at Columbus State Community College. The program is free to Webgrrls and STC members.

Dream Into Reality

The class schedule for 2001 is complete. I have instructors lined up and ready to go. I have scoured the Internet for additional resources to post on the program's companion Web site. I have volunteers lined up to post promotional flyers at various locations, especially at the local colleges. I post notices in newsletters and on Web sites. I am also being realistic--it will take time for this to fly. But once the word is out about the classes, I expect we will have to turn people away.

I am also interested in starting a Junior Webgrrls program to mentor and help school-age girls who are interested in Internet careers. We are hoping to launch this program in the summer of 2001.

Developing a program to help others and share information in the Internet community is a great idea. Finding support and moving it forward takes a lot of planning and courage, especially when things don't look so good. It also helps to have some great friends. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Susan Moran and Frankie Hale of the Central Ohio chapter for believing in my idea and me. Also, thanks to Jamie Gehrlich of Columbus Webgrrls for helping make my dream a reality. Now I think I want to plan a Web conference!

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