Mentoring Summer Programme for women with digital & technology ambitions

Where did Ada Lovelace, born in 1815, find inspiration to become the first computer programmer? And how did Katherine Johnson, an African American woman, become John Glenn’s go-to mathematician who verified the computer equations that would control the trajectory of his 1962 space flight from blastoff to splashdown? Both women showed a talent for mathematics at an early age, but it was their mentors who set them on their unlikely career paths.

It’s safe to say that no single company has cracked the code for building a diverse and inclusive IT culture. Having a mentor can make a big difference for women looking to start or advance their digital career; in fact, a lack of mentors and female role models are the top two barriers experienced by women in technology.

Mentoring can support you in navigating a promotion, delivering on expanded responsibility, or working through a particular situation, challenge or opportunity. This programme is offered for free to RightBrains community members. Participation is limited to 25 duos.

Programme set-up
Based on your experience and interests, which you expressed while creating an account on the RightBrains platform, we will match you to a mentor or mentee. The programme starts with a kick-off event, during which you will meet each other. Together you will make a plan. During the summer, 4 online sessions will give you the tools you need to, for example, articulate your value, get paid what you’re worth, and own your career. We will organise our Grand Finale Mentoring event at the end of September.

Kick-off event – Live!
Our mentoring expert, Nikki Wilton, will set the scene and share valuable mentoring knowledge and experience with you. Inspiring keynote speakers will take the stage to share their career and mentoring stories, followed by a panel discussion. Mentors and mentees will create their mentoring passports together, and we will end the afternoon with drinks and networking.
When? 17 June, 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Where? Van Lanschot Kempen, Amsterdam

The missing link
Do you read the financial papers every week? Do you read industry blogs and your company’s annual reports for fun at the weekend? The probability is high that most of you don’t. In this course, we are not going to tell you that you need to. However, we are going to take you through what you absolutely do have to know in order to get ahead. It’s the best kept secret of how to write an amazing CV.
When? 8 July, 12 pm – 1 pm
Where? Online

Going social – why LinkedIn matters
Did you know that you’re 4 times more likely to get your next job from somebody in your professional network? That’s why the RightBrains community is so important! You can get yourself a mentor from another company, free of charge, who will challenge your thinking and make introductions. But before they do that, you need to show up looking like you mean business. This course is all about how to do that and the impact it can make.
When? 29 July, 12 pm – 1 pm
Where? Online

How to get a pay rise?
When did you last get a raise? Did you ask for it? Do you know what your peers are earning? Or what the industry market rate is for your position? In the last 12 months, technology salaries have increased by as much as 16%. Add to that the gender pay gap and most of us have an opportunity to improve our pay cheque. This course is about how to do just that. It’s not a magic wand, it requires some courage and preparation. But we promise you it’s worth it.
When? 19 August, 12 pm – 1 pm
Where? Online

The art of self-promotion
Did you know that women are 44% less likely to ask for feedback? That on average we work 7 weeks more a year than men trying to reach perfection? Stop waiting for that next tick in the box and start selling yourself today!
When? 9 September, 12 pm – 1 pm
Where? Online

Our teacher
Nikki Wilton has worked as a sales leader in the technology industry for over 25 years, leading (mostly male) global teams to meet and exceed order and revenue goals in the competitive world of technology sales. Nikki has come a long way from her first position in the industry, where she started out in a temporary job as a credit controller for British Rail Telecommunications.

In 2016, Nikki was asked by the CEO of Xchanging Ltd to join the company’s diversity & inclusion steering committee. Since that first meeting, and the committees decision to invest in the company’s most promising female talent, Nikki has led programmes for aspiring women globally who want to get ahead.