E-Mentor Program

The OMA E-Mentor Program is a recognized informal and ongoing learning partnership.  The E-Mentor Program assists individuals new to the museum field through ongoing communication via email with more experienced museum professionals. E-Mentoring differs from traditional mentoring as these relationships are often face-to-face and time-limited.  Participants can engage in E-Mentoring during their work day through the convenience of online communications.

Purpose of the E-Mentor Program
The Oklahoma Museums Association E-Mentor Program allows individuals new to the museum field access to experienced museum professionals willing to share their knowledge and advice through an online community, thus allowing for geographic diversity.  E-Mentoring allows E-Mentees to learn and benefit from the exchange of information.  A common purpose of the program is to share experiences and knowledge for personal and professional growth.  The E-Mentor Program is open to members of OMA and is a benefit of membership.

The Objectives of the E-Mentor Program

  • To encourage the growth of relationships within the Oklahoma museum community.
  • To provide emerging leaders with informal leadership, advice, wisdom, experience and guidance.
  • To increase the knowledge of museum professionals in the program.
  • To provide experienced museum professionals the opportunity to give back to the profession.
  • To increase the networking opportunities offered by OMA.
  • To support individuals new to the museum field growth both personally and professionally.

How it Works
OMA has an E-Mentor Program online community through Yahoo! Groups.  E-Mentees will apply to OMA to be a part of the E-Mentor Program.  Once accepted, E-Mentees will be able to email questions to the designated list of E-Mentors affiliated with the E-Mentor Program.  All E-Mentees and E-Mentors will have access to emails. 

E-Mentees will be admitted to the E-Mentor Program for one-year.  The E-Mentor Program is not intended to provide job leads.

E-Mentees will fill out an online request form, with a brief set of questions, requesting to be a part of the E-Mentor Program.  The E-Mentee criteria includes:  Being a current member of OMA; having been a member of OMA for less than 5 years; willing to clearly communicate online with the E-Mentors and having a good attitude.

E-Mentors can volunteer by contacting the OMA office.  The E-Mentor criteria includes: Being a current member of OMA; having been a member OMA member for 5 or more years; willing to make a time commitment to communicate online with the E-Mentees; willing to clearly communicate online with the E-Mentees and having a good attitude.

Although the OMA E-Mentor Program is not intended for in-person interaction, OMA encourages E-Mentees and E-Mentors to meet at OMA sponsored training and events.