NEWS

Speed Mentoring Takes Off at DIA

October 26, 2012

Twelve Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) mentors and more than 40 mentees engaged one another in a speedy round of professional mentoring at agency headquarters on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Oct. 18.

Hosted by the DIA's Directorate for Human Capital Mentoring Program, the newly revamped event now offers participation to the full workforce…not just new employees.

Mentees said they came for various reasons, including opportunities to explore career development options, seek advice from outside their directorates and learn more about how DIA works.

One participant said, "I think I may have found a few [mentors] today and opened some doors that may have been closed before."

Another endorsed the initiative saying that he'd wholeheartedly recommend it to any employee interested in developing himself – professionally or personally.

Speed mentoring is unique in that it offers mentees the opportunity to meet with several mentors in a short period of time. Mentees are grouped together and the mentors move from group to group speaking about their experiences and asking mentees about their backgrounds. In doing this, mentees make professional connections that they may further develop later.

The DIA Mentoring Program aims to create formal and informal mentoring partnerships across DIA and the Intelligence Community. Its participants develop relationships that promote sharing knowledge and experiences. Agency leaders say the program is a professional development tool that helps retain a highly-skilled and results-oriented workforce. Professional development is a major priority for the DIA's Director Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn.

"Mentoring, in particular speed mentoring, is a dynamic and modern way for employees to make connections to advance their careers and sharpen their skills," stated Flynn.

Deputy Director for Human Capital Kristi Waschull agreed, saying that mentoring is a crucial way to improve interface across the generations, expertise and experiences throughout the agency and community.

Speed mentoring events will be scheduled monthly at DIA Headquarters and is open to all civilian and military DIA personnel. It is one more way the DIA is seeking to develop its workforce for the future.

DIA is the nation’s premier all-source military intelligence organization.

It provides the nation’s most authoritative assessments of foreign military intentions and capabilities. The agency’s four core competencies -- human intelligence, all-source analysis, counterintelligence and technical intelligence -- enable military operations while also informing policy-makers at the defense and national levels.

DIA’s mission is unique and no other agency matches its military expertise across such a broad range of intelligence disciplines.