AMIGO

AMIGO is a pediatric rheumatology mentoring program. To address the needs of early career pediatric rheumatologists, the ACR Pediatric Rheumatology Committee and the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) joined together in 2011 to develop a program to support the career development of fellows in training and junior faculty in pediatric rheumatology via educational services, facilitated networking, and most importantly a one-on-one mentoring program through which interested mentees are matched with mentors at other institutions.

What Do We Mean by Mentoring?

mentor: (noun) an experienced and trusted adviser

Mentorship is a developmental relationship in which one person, usually more experienced or senior, takes time to assist the career, professional or personal development of someone else, who is known as a mentee. Mentoring is most often a one-on-one relationship but is sometimes done in groups.

A mentoring relationship is one that is built on trust, in which there is an exchange of knowledge, experience and goodwill.

Some examples of what our mentors may assist with:

• Act as a source of information and insight
• Suggest relevant options regarding career development or stategies for achieving professional goals
• Recommend possible resources to improve specific skills
• Help the mentee solve professional challenges in their working life
• Discuss issues of professional ethics
• Discuss workplace related issues and options for how these may be addressed

Why Is Mentoring Important?

AMIGO is an important component for developing and sustaining satisfying professional careers of early career investigators.

Participants in mentoring programs report a number of benefits from their participation: improved confidence, self-awareness, clearer career direction, better communication skills, listening skills, feedback skills, more assertive communication, and enhanced management skills.

Benefits of the AMIGO Mentoring Program

For mentees, some of the common benefits of mentoring include:

• Exploring issues and concerns in a supportive and confidential relationship
• Obtaining experienced guidance and support
• Learning from the experience of others
• Exploring your career development plan
• Receiving feedback and developmental guidance
• Networking and learning about effective networking

Mentoring programs do not just benefit the mentees. Mentors find tremendous learning and development opportunities of their own. Some of the benefits that are frequently reported for mentors include:

• Contributing back to the profession, and gaining personal satisfaction by making a difference for someone else
• Learning and developing mentoring skills and enriching leadership and interpersonal skills
• Gaining intellectual challenge by working on issues outside the day-to-day experience
• Discovering fresh perspectives that may assist with their own work
• Increasing profile and expanding professional networks

Eligibility

Mentors
Pediatric rheumatologist. ACR membership is required.

Mentees
Pediatric rheumatology fellows and junior faculty. ACR membership is required.

Both mentees and mentors must also be willing to complete the online training provided, review the support resources available and engage completely in the relationship process, connecting with your mentee/mentor at least monthly.

Once you are matched with a mentor/mentee, all the materials you need to guide you on your mentoring journey together will be available for you online. The Program Platform is where you will go to undertake the online training, access the support resources, complete feedback surveys, and communicate with the program manager.

Time Commitment

The AMIGO Mentoring Program is a 9-month program, from September 2024 through June 2025. Mentors and mentees will be matched according to application details and are required to attend three events: program launch, progress review, and program close, all of which will be delivered via webinar. During the program, mentors and mentees will be expected to be in contact at least monthly.

AMIGO Guidelines & Resources

AMIGO Mentoring Program Guidelines

AMIGO Mentee Checklist

AMIGO Suggested Guidelines for First Contact with Mentor