MENTORSHIP
Women In Chemicals Mentorship Program is designed to champion personal and professional development at every stage of your career. It is to cultivate and nurture impactful long-term relationships that foster growth, create a supportive and inclusive mentorship community where everyone feels like they truly belong and provide valuable insights and a platform to learn from shared experiences that inspire and empower.
Application for Cohort 2026 Open In Q4 2025. Subscribe to WIC Newsletter to stay up to date!
Eligibility
You must be a member of Women in Chemicals to apply. Not a member yet? It’s easy to join, just sign up here:
structure
Each cohort lasts 9 months, pairing mentees with mentors based on goals, interests, and expertise.
Participants commit to their mentoring partners with at least 1 hour per month for mentoring
Participants engage with entire cohort by attending interim one-hour sessions to learn and share
Program is run virtually since our community is global, and we encourage in-person meetings if possible.
Overview
The Women in Chemicals Mentorship Program is intended for all women in our community who are enthusiastic about learning, growing, and empowering themselves and others —regardless of their current role or level of experience. Whether you're in search of conventional mentorship, eager to engage in reverse mentoring, or interested in dynamic peer-to-peer connections, our mission is clear: foster meaningful relationships between mentors and mentees. Through these connections, we aspire to facilitate the sharing of expertise, empowerment, and the cultivation of career-enhancing skills, contributing to the development of future women leaders in the industry. We welcome males as mentors.
Important Dates
Our 2025 Cohort will run from January – October 2025.
October 30, 2024: Mentorship Meet-Up: Cohort 2025 Discovery, watch the recording HERE and learn more
October 28 through November 17 (extended to 27 for mentors only) 2024: Applications Open
by January 10, 2025: Admission to the Cohort
January 20, 2025: Mentoring Pairing Matches Announced
January 23, 2025*: Kick-off Call
January 29, 30, 2025*: Mentees & Mentors Onboarding
Feb – Oct 2025**: Mentor & Mentee Sessions
April 2, 3, 2025*: Mentees & Mentors 60-Day Check-In Session
June 4, 5 2025*: Mentees & Mentors Midpoint Open-Hour Sharing
August 5, 7 2025*: Mentees & Mentors 60-Day To Go Session
October 16, 2025*: Closing Celerbation
Women In Chemicals Conference 2025, September 3-5***, Mentorship Community Get-Together on September 3
* Cohort session scheduled for 10 am EST / 4 pm CET / 8.30 pm or 7.30 pm IST
** Mentor - Mentee 1:1 sessions are 1 hour per month, to be scheduled independently by mentor and mentee between the specified dates
*** optional
how to apply
Interested mentor and mentee participants can apply through our online platform at Chronus. Applications will be reviewed, and successful matches will be communicated in January 2025.
Check the dates in the Upcoming Cohort 2025 Calendar - Important Dates.
Our Sponsors
Thank you to Coalition for sponsoring Chronus, our mentorship software.
Coalition is the executive management team responsible for creating and developing the growth of Element Chemicals, Mission Chemical. Our team serves small to mid-sized companies in the chemical industry to achieve their operational goals. Coalition takes pride in providing the best possible solution to our customers by starting with the customer in mind and leveling up industry expectations.
Element Chemicals is a premier specialty wholesale chemical manufacturer serving the energy and water treatment industries. Backed by cutting-edge manufacturing and laboratory assets, our expertise spans high-performance chemicals for various sectors enabling rapid formulation and application solutions. With a commitment to excellence and collaborative care, we deliver innovative solutions tailored to our partner’s needs.
Mission Chemical pioneers chemical supply chain solutions through strategic partnerships, comprehensive manufacturing and laboratory assets, and extensive chemical distribution expertise. With a global network and in-house resources, we swiftly tailor comprehensive supply chain solutions to address industry challenges. At Mission Chemical, redefining excellence drives our commitment to innovation and collaborative problem-solving.
Help Topics and Frequently asked questions
-
Yes you can. Select the option to join as both mentor and mentee at Chronus and your application will cover both.
-
Apply at https://wicmentoring.chronus.com/ and select Join As Mentor. You will be asked if you are applying as a male ally in the application.
-
To complete the application, provide detailed information about your development needs, career aspirations, experience and what you hope to achieve through the program. The more specific you are, the better we can match you with a mentor or mentee who aligns with your goals.
-
All applicants will receive an email from Women in Chemicals Mentorship acknowledging their application has been received.
-
Applicants will receive an email from Women in Chemicals Mentorship confirming their application has been accepted.
-
Applications
Matching
-
Partners will receive an email from Women in Chemicals Mentorship confirming their mentor / mentee connection, names and next steps.
-
We also have male ally mentors. You will be asked for your preference in the application and matches will be based on your comfort level.
-
Only if you are comfortable with it. You will be asked for your preference in the application and matches will be based on your comfort level. It is important to note that, regardless of the pairing, mentors and mentees are expected to uphold professional ethics. This includes not sharing proprietary or confidential information about their respective employers without the explicit permission of those employers.
-
Only if you are comfortable with it. You will be asked for your preference in the application and matches will be based on your comfort level.
-
You will be asked for your manager’s name in your application to prevent this from happening.
-
Connections will be virtual but you are welcome (and encouraged) to meet in person if both partners are interested and available.
Mentors
-
Yes you can. See role expectations to determine if you qualify.
-
Participants must be willing to commit a minimum of 1 hour per month to support the mentorship. In addition, we will organize three one-hour interim sessions for the entire group to share experiences and learn from each other.
-
Mentors are expected to offer a minimum of one hour of support and interaction per month to their mentees. They contribute to others' success by providing guidance for personal and professional development, sharing their expertise and experiences. Mentors inspire, encourage reflection, set objectives, and offer constructive feedback. They collaborate with their mentees to understand their goals, determining the specific guidance that will be most beneficial for achieving their full potential. Upholding confidentiality, mutual trust, honesty, respect, effective communication, and maintaining a positive outlook are of utmost importance.
-
Our program offers opportunities for traditional, peer-to-peer and reverse mentoring. What matters most is that mentors bring valuable experience or expertise from which others can learn.
-
If you encounter challenges in the mentorship relationship or have concerns, we encourage you to communicate with your mentee about the situation, if possible. Additionally, please don't hesitate to contact your Mentorship Program Chair. We are committed to providing full support to resolve any issues in a positive and satisfactory manner.
Mentees
-
Participants must be willing to commit a minimum of 1 hour per month to support the mentorship. In addition, we will organize three one-hour interim sessions for the entire group to share experiences and learn from each other.
-
Once matched, the mentee should take the first step by initiating contact and setting up the introductory meeting with their mentor. It should take place between the Kick-Off session and a week after Onboarding at the latest.
-
If you encounter challenges in the mentorship relationship or have concerns, we encourage you to communicate with your mentor about the situation, if possible. Additionally, please don't hesitate to contact your Mentorship Program Chair or Admin via Chronus. We are committed to providing full support to resolve any issues in a positive and satisfactory manner.
Question not answered in our FAQs?
If you have any questions not listed in our FAQs, please contact our Mentorship Program Chair kasia@womeninchemicals.com.