h2. SLA Taxonomy Division Mentoring Programs
The SLA Taxonomy Division offers a broad set of resources and programs:
# *A list of FAQs to answer common questions of new taxonomists*
# *A short document (i.e. the 411) on* *[*what taxonomists do*|http://wiki.sla.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=135528534]*
# *A short document on* *[*uncovering career opportunities*|http://wiki.sla.org/display/SLATAX/Tips+to+Uncovering+Career+Opportunities+for+Taxonomists]*
# *A directory of new taxonomists (Protégés) seeking mentors*
# *A directory of experienced taxonomists offering mentoring services*
More accurately, the Taxonomy Division is providing a clearinghouse service, rather than any program matching Mentors to Protégés.
h3. [1. Taxonomy FAQs|http://wiki.sla.org/display/SLATAX/Taxonomy+FAQs]
The Frequently Asked Questions attempt to answer all common questions of those interested in working in the field of taxonomies. Short answers are publicly available, and longer detailed answers are accessibly only to Taxonomy Division members. All Division members are encouraged to post additional questions.
h3.
h3. [2. Directory of Protégés Seeking Mentors|http://wiki.sla.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=102105223]
Taxonomy Division members who seek more experience and mentoring feedback on internship-like projects may list their names and contact information. We are calling them Protégés.
Protégés are those with some training/education in taxonomies/thesauri but no or limited work experience and those who desire more work experience for their resume. It is expected that Protégés will work in temporary internship-like arrangements, either pro bono our at below-market subcontractor rates, for limited term projects, in exchange for constructive feedback from the Mentor. Due to the limited number of anticipated projects, location should not usually be a limitation, so most projects should be of the nature to be done remotely. Access to the listing page is public. Thus, those who are not Taxonomy Division or SLA members may contract Protégés.
The Mentoring Committee:
* Does not screen directory listed members or those who contact them, so those contacting Protégés on the list should screen them for their ability to perform basic taxonomy work.
* Will not be involved in the negotiations between parties nor make rules
* Requests that when a Protégé gets contacted through the directory, the Protégé should inform the Mentoring Committee, so that the Committee may track the effectiveness of the program.
* Will promote the list and a link to that page throughout SLA and beyond to give exposure for those seeking mentors or internships
h3. [3. Directory of Mentors|http://wiki.sla.org/display/SLATAX/Directory+of+Mentors]
Taxonomy Division members who are experienced taxonomists and are willing to volunteer their services as mentors may list their names and contact information on a page restricted in access to Taxonomy Division members. It is expected that only members new to taxonomies will seek out mentors, but it is not necessary to be listed in the Directory of Protégés in order to contact a listed Mentor.
Mentors should be willing to offer mentoring services in any of the following types of arrangements:
# *The Protégé has a project and seeks advice from a mentor:*
Mentors provide brief (such as half an hour to an hour) complimentary feedback on a taxonomy, with any additional time negotiated (free or paid). Mentors are not obliged to accept all requests for mentoring if they are busy.
# *The Mentor has a project and offers a closely supervised subcontracting arrangement with a Protégé:*
The mentor will negotiate a subcontracting rate with the Protégé below industry standards for subcontracting in exchange for giving a considerable amount of constructive feedback. If the mentor works in a nonprofit organization, the project might volunteer. If the mentor and Protégé get along well and there is sufficient ongoing work, the relationship could last a long time and even evolve.
# *The Mentor is available to answer career questions, give guidance, share experience, etc. for an individual Protégé without a specific taxonomy project:*
This can become on-going relationship as the Protégé's career progresses. The on-going relationship goes beyond the basics of what is included on the detailed FAQ answers, and it could include calls or email between the mentor and the Protégé.
The Mentoring Committee:
* Does not screen directory listed members, so those contacting Mentors on the list should qualify the Mentors for their ability to mentor any specialty types of taxonomy work
* Will not be involved in the negotiations between parties nor make rules on project duration or rate
* Requests that someone seeking a Mentor inform the Committee of the response of the mentors they have contacted, so that the Committee may track the effectiveness of the program.
\\
----
For questions or comments, contact the Mentoring Committee Chair, [Marti Heyman|mailto:martha.heyman@cengage.com].
The SLA Taxonomy Division offers a broad set of resources and programs:
# *A list of FAQs to answer common questions of new taxonomists*
# *A short document (i.e. the 411) on* *[*what taxonomists do*|http://wiki.sla.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=135528534]*
# *A short document on* *[*uncovering career opportunities*|http://wiki.sla.org/display/SLATAX/Tips+to+Uncovering+Career+Opportunities+for+Taxonomists]*
# *A directory of new taxonomists (Protégés) seeking mentors*
# *A directory of experienced taxonomists offering mentoring services*
More accurately, the Taxonomy Division is providing a clearinghouse service, rather than any program matching Mentors to Protégés.
h3. [1. Taxonomy FAQs|http://wiki.sla.org/display/SLATAX/Taxonomy+FAQs]
The Frequently Asked Questions attempt to answer all common questions of those interested in working in the field of taxonomies. Short answers are publicly available, and longer detailed answers are accessibly only to Taxonomy Division members. All Division members are encouraged to post additional questions.
h3.
h3. [2. Directory of Protégés Seeking Mentors|http://wiki.sla.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=102105223]
Taxonomy Division members who seek more experience and mentoring feedback on internship-like projects may list their names and contact information. We are calling them Protégés.
Protégés are those with some training/education in taxonomies/thesauri but no or limited work experience and those who desire more work experience for their resume. It is expected that Protégés will work in temporary internship-like arrangements, either pro bono our at below-market subcontractor rates, for limited term projects, in exchange for constructive feedback from the Mentor. Due to the limited number of anticipated projects, location should not usually be a limitation, so most projects should be of the nature to be done remotely. Access to the listing page is public. Thus, those who are not Taxonomy Division or SLA members may contract Protégés.
The Mentoring Committee:
* Does not screen directory listed members or those who contact them, so those contacting Protégés on the list should screen them for their ability to perform basic taxonomy work.
* Will not be involved in the negotiations between parties nor make rules
* Requests that when a Protégé gets contacted through the directory, the Protégé should inform the Mentoring Committee, so that the Committee may track the effectiveness of the program.
* Will promote the list and a link to that page throughout SLA and beyond to give exposure for those seeking mentors or internships
h3. [3. Directory of Mentors|http://wiki.sla.org/display/SLATAX/Directory+of+Mentors]
Taxonomy Division members who are experienced taxonomists and are willing to volunteer their services as mentors may list their names and contact information on a page restricted in access to Taxonomy Division members. It is expected that only members new to taxonomies will seek out mentors, but it is not necessary to be listed in the Directory of Protégés in order to contact a listed Mentor.
Mentors should be willing to offer mentoring services in any of the following types of arrangements:
# *The Protégé has a project and seeks advice from a mentor:*
Mentors provide brief (such as half an hour to an hour) complimentary feedback on a taxonomy, with any additional time negotiated (free or paid). Mentors are not obliged to accept all requests for mentoring if they are busy.
# *The Mentor has a project and offers a closely supervised subcontracting arrangement with a Protégé:*
The mentor will negotiate a subcontracting rate with the Protégé below industry standards for subcontracting in exchange for giving a considerable amount of constructive feedback. If the mentor works in a nonprofit organization, the project might volunteer. If the mentor and Protégé get along well and there is sufficient ongoing work, the relationship could last a long time and even evolve.
# *The Mentor is available to answer career questions, give guidance, share experience, etc. for an individual Protégé without a specific taxonomy project:*
This can become on-going relationship as the Protégé's career progresses. The on-going relationship goes beyond the basics of what is included on the detailed FAQ answers, and it could include calls or email between the mentor and the Protégé.
The Mentoring Committee:
* Does not screen directory listed members, so those contacting Mentors on the list should qualify the Mentors for their ability to mentor any specialty types of taxonomy work
* Will not be involved in the negotiations between parties nor make rules on project duration or rate
* Requests that someone seeking a Mentor inform the Committee of the response of the mentors they have contacted, so that the Committee may track the effectiveness of the program.
\\
----
For questions or comments, contact the Mentoring Committee Chair, [Marti Heyman|mailto:martha.heyman@cengage.com].