Be An Opener of Doors
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Guidance and breakthroughs. Encouragement and connections. So much is gained by becoming a mentor or protégé. Open doors for others, and doors will be opened for you.

As a protégé, you can expect help with career development, encouragement, honest criticism and feedback, and advice from someone with real-world experience. Become a protégé

Mentors also receive important recognition and feedback, a fresh perspective on the industry, and insight into basic or new research programs. Become a mentor

Together, both protégé and mentor will be exposed to a new level of professional contacts.

Sponsored by the Product Development Panel

Program participants will be matched by the Professional Development Panel in August, and sent information about the person with whom they have been matched. Mentors and protégés will have a chance to meet in person at a special breakfast during the annual meeting in September, but mentors and protégés are encouraged to introduce themselves over the phone or Internet prior to the annual meeting. Mentors and protégés from previous years are also welcome to attend the breakfast. You need not attend the annual meeting in order to participate in this program. Mentors and protégés should continue to interact by whatever means is suitable for each pair.

Fill out the online form to become a mentor or a protégé. (PDFs of the mentor or protégé forms are also available.) Applications will be taken through August 1, 2009.

For more information on this program, please contact Bill Atwell, Mentoring Program chair, at +1.952.238.4890 or bill_atwell@cargill.com.