MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

The program consists of matching people in order to build a mutual support relationship between two ACJT-CALT members. Its objective is to break isolation, answer questions about the profession that any translator can have—regardless of the number of years of experience they have—and guide beginners who are taking their first steps in a career in translation.

A legal translator with at least 10 years of experience can act as a mentor for a colleague (mentee), allowing them to benefit from a network of contacts to receive advice or simply to obtain another point of view about professional practice. The relationship established is highly beneficial and provides a positive image of mutual support. Mentors may be called on to answer practical or ethical questions.

A mentorship organized by the ACJT-CALT is an informal relationship based on respect, frankness and mutual trust. It is based on the principles of mutual assistance, reciprocity, and free and voluntary work.

Objectives

Mentorship aims to build relationships among CALT-ACJT members to allow seasoned translators to train the new generation of translators through the transfer of knowledge and skills and to guide mentees in their professional practice and career choices. For mentees, it is an opportunity to get advice from more experienced members of the profession on professional practice, and business and career development, or to discuss issues of concern.

 How it works

A mentorship consists of a series of distance meetings or interviews, e.g., at lunch time or after office hours, to take the time to discuss issues of concern to the mentee. It is up to the mentor and mentee to plan their own meetings or, in the case of distance mentorship, to schedule their teleconferences or other types of meetings. Usually, these meetings or conversations are held once a month over a six-month period.

Mentorship activities that take place in person and/or by telephone between two members of the Barreau du Québec  may qualify as mandatory continuing education up to a maximum of 6 hours, provided that the mentorship objectives enable members to acquire, maintain, update, improve and deepen their knowledge or skills related to the practice of the profession. For more information on this topic, please consult the Guide sur le mentorat by the Barreau du Québec (in French only).

To participate in the mentorship program, mentors and mentees must register with the ACJT-CALT by completing the appropriate form and sending it to info@acjt.ca. ACJT-CALT will try to find a mentor for anyone who would like to be mentored.

Registration form (mentor)

Registration form (mentee)

Instructions

1. A mentor’s attentiveness and consideration of the mentee’s questions will allow for an enriching discussion for both parties.
2. Mentors should promote an exchange of ideas with mentees rather than engage in a monologue. Mentors are encouraged to share the ups and downs of their practice so that  mentees can learn from their varied experiences. If a mentor is uncertain of what advice to give, it is suggested that they consult with colleagues about how the problem should be addressed. Mentors should share their thoughts on what they believe will help mentees succeed in their work environment.
3. The mentorship program is intended to provide general assistance to mentees and is not a way for mentees to have their translations revised. Although mentors and mentees may agree otherwise, the mentorship program is not intended to provide free translation or revision services. Mentees do not commit to translating a particular number of words, and mentors do not commit to reviewing a mentee’s translations.
4. The mentorship program is not intended to provide legal advice—even when the mentor or the mentee is a lawyer—or provide psychological support. If necessary, mentees are encouraged to contact the appropriate services.
5. Mentees are encouraged to ask their mentor any practical and ethical questions, bearing in mind that their mentor has likely had similar experiences and is available to answer their questions.
6. Mentors provide their services on a volunteer basis. Therefore, mentees should not waste their time unnecessarily.
7. The ACJT-CALT does not make any representations as to the knowledge or experience of mentors and is not responsible for any advice given by a particular mentor..
8. Mentors should contact their mentees within 5 days of receiving the email proposing the match so that they can meet within the following 20 days. A mentor and a mentee will arrange to meet at a time and a place convenient to them or meet by a method of communication and at a time convenient to them. Mentors should be available for at least six months and are encouraged to remain available as long as necessary to provide appropriate guidance or support for their mentees. Ideally, mentors and mentees should build a lasting relationship.
9. We ask our mentors and mentees to keep confidential any discussions between them in the context of the mentorship. This will create a climate of trust that will foster constructive exchanges and will allow mentees, if they wish, to ask questions they might be embarrassed to ask a colleague.
10. By accepting to participate in the mentorship program, mentors and mentees agree to adhere to these guidelines.

Acknowledgements

The ACJT-CALT would like to thank the Barreau de Montréal, OTTIAQ and Editors Canada for their helpful advice in developing this program. This document and the forms used for mentorship are inspired by those of the Barreau de Montréal and the Jeune Barreau de Montréal, with their authorization, and we would like to thank them.