Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1163814
to supporting the travel and the person's time throughout the three-year program. When I was a mentor, IPC gathered mentees together to train them and to give them op- portunities, even in social settings. The men- tees move through in their different areas of expertise and grow; they deal with people in other areas. Some of the mentees have even started being co-leaders, so I think it's a really good program to keep the industry going with the younger folks. Companies should consider contacting IPC about this program. Shaughnessy: I know a lot of companies don't have mentors anymore. New designers used to shadow a senior designer for six months. McConnell: Right, companies are not paying for mentors anymore. This program benefits your company, and all you have to do is nominate someone. The program started with five men- tors and mentees, and I was in the first group. My mentee started six months into the pro- gram, so he graduated with the second group. He couldn't attend the first meeting, so we ended up in this no man's land between the first two mentee groups. Sometimes, we were with the first group, but other times, we were with the newer group. This year, they're going to try to have 20 mentees. Shaughnessy: Wow. McConnell: Yes, that's how it's grown. The oth- er committees I'm on document the design standards, which I review. In my job of sup- porting tools, I have to understand the rules to do the tools. How do I need the tools to grow to do the best practices? I'm also on the Terms and Definitions Committee (2-30). Shaughnessy: I heard that it was an interesting meeting. McConnell: That is the best committee to be on because it is so interesting, and many diverse topics are discussed. Shaughnessy: Because you not only have to worry about being accurate in English but also