Frequently Asked Questions

KALA Mentorship Programs:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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• What is the time commitment for the program?

  • The program is a 12-month commitment, but there is flexibility within the structure.

  • There is a required upfront investment of approximately 4 hours for onboarding and DiSC assessment.

  • Throughout the year mentees receive a minimum of 8 hours of individual meetings with their mentor and 8 hours of peer group meetings.

  • Mentees may dedicate additional time for optional professional development challenges and special events.

• What is the program format?

  • KALA combines individual mentorship with peer learning and access to a comprehensive resource library.

  • Mentees and mentors work together to create a customized professional development plan for the mentee.

  • Mentees participate in monthly round-robin peer group meetings with approximately 6-8 like-minded individuals.

  • The program offers a variety of resources including articles, videos, exercises, and conversation guides to support customized developmental goals. New resources will continuously be added.

  • Optional workshops, networking events, and expert engagements will periodically be offered. Mentees can decide which programs they would like to attend based on their individual professional goals. 

• How are mentors selected?

  • All mentors go through a screening process and complete KALA's mentor certification program.

  • Mentors also take a DiSC assessment to help identify their communication styles and preferences.

• How do I become a mentor? ​

  • Reach out to us through the contact form on the MENTOR tab and schedule a consultation to determine if you would be a good fit for one of our programs.​

  • Mentors must commit approximately 4 hours for onboarding, 8 hours one-to-one time with their mentee, and up to 2 additional hours of ad-hoc time with their mentee (text messages, phone calls, emails, etc.).

• Why do mentors need to pay a processing fee?

  • KALA places a significant upfront investment in its mentors, including mentor certification, a DiSC profile assessment and workshop, and access to KALA resources. For this reason, mentors are required to pay a processing fee upon being accepted into the program. ​

  • Upon completion of 480 minutes of one-to-one time with their mentees, mentors are offered a stipend for their time and commitment to the program.

• How are mentors and mentees matched?

  • KALA considers the experience, strengths, skills, and developmental goals of mentees when matching  with a mentor.

  • Mentees are matched with mentors based on compatibility of mentee goals and mentor expertise.

  • The DiSC assessment helps KALA understand your mentor's natural style to create a good fit.

• How often will I meet with my mentor?

  • You will meet with your mentor for a minimum of 8 hours throughout the year, but the specific frequency and length of meetings can be tailored to your needs and preferences. The total meeting time is 480 minutes over the course of the year. This can be divided into more frequent 30-minute sessions, 45-minute sessions, hour-long sessions, or sessions of variable length to meet development or scheduling needs.

• When will I meet my mentor?

  • Mentors and mentees meet with each other for the first time after both individuals have completed the orientation/certification process.​

• What is a round-robin peer group?

  • A round-robin peer group consists of approximately 6-8 mentees with similar professional goals.

  • The group composition remains the same throughout the program to allow you to create meaningful connections and learn from a wider range of perspectives.

  • Group size may vary based on the size of the incoming cohort. 

• How often do peer groups meet?

  • Peer groups meet for one hour each month for approximately eight months of the program. 

  • Round-robin meetings will take place at a regular date and time each month (ie: The first Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. EST)

  • Round-robin meetings may not take place during months in which the regular meeting time falls on a holiday. If this happens the total number of meetings will still be 8.

• What is the peer group meeting structure?

  • Each meeting will be led by a different mentee within the group. The mentee leading the meeting will be responsible for choosing a discussion topic in collaboration with the group. ​

  • Each mentee will choose one month throughout the year to lead their group in a topic.

  • The discussion will center around a chosen resource (article, video, etc.) provided to the group beforehand.

  • Mentees can utilize the provided resource library for resource content, or provide an outside resource as long as it aligns with the agreed upon topic.  

  • Mentees will have the opportunity to delve into the resource and explore how it can be applied to their professional careers.

• Is there anything I need to prepare for the meetings?

  • It is recommended that you review the provided resource before each meeting to be prepared for the discussion.​​

• What kind of resources does the program offer?

  • The program offers a comprehensive resource library with articles, videos, exercises, and conversation guides on a variety of topics relevant to professional development, including leadership, personal branding, AI, emotional intelligence, communication skills, goal setting, time management etc.

• How can I access the resources?

  • Mentees and mentors have access to the resource library throughout the program. The resources can be used to support your individual development plan.

• What are the monthly professional development challenges?

  • Monthly challenges are optional activities designed to push you outside your comfort zone and encourage ongoing growth.

  • You can choose from a variety of challenges offered by the program or create your own based on your development goals.

• What kind of special events are offered?

  • The program offers optional special events, including networking events, workshops, and expert engagements throughout the year.

  • These events are a great way to expand your network, learn from industry leaders, and gain new perspectives.

• Do I have to participate in challenges and events?

  • Participation in challenges and special events is optional. You can choose to participate in the ones that align with your interests and goals.

• What if a mentor or mentee is unhappy with their match?

  • It's understandable that not every mentor-mentee match will be perfect. Here's what the KALA program might do to address this:

  • Open Communication:

    • Program Communication: The program orientation and onboarding process emphasizes open communication and setting clear expectations between mentors and mentees. This encourages participants to work together to establish effective communication.

    • Any initial concerns with a mentor or mentee match can be shared with the program contact. 

    • Program Point of Contact: Participants can reach out to their program contact if they're unhappy with their match or experience significant challenges in working effectively with their mentor or mentee.

  • Addressing Concerns:

    • Initial Conversation: Sometimes, a simple conversation between the mentor and mentee can resolve initial awkwardness or unclear expectations. The program might recommend conversation starters or resources to guide this initial discussion.

    • Program Intervention: If a conversation doesn't resolve the issue, the program coordinator can intervene. Options may include:

      • Mediate: Facilitate a conversation between the mentor and mentee to understand the concerns and find a solution.

      • Re-match: If mediation doesn't work, the coordinator can explore re-matching the mentee with a different mentor based on their availability and updated preferences.

  • Confidentiality:

    • Participation in the program includes the expectation of confidentiality throughout the process. This means keeping any discussions about concerns or re-matching private.​

  • Remember, open communication and a willingness to address concerns are key to ensuring a positive experience for both mentors and mentees in the KALA program.

• How much does it cost to participate as a mentee?​

  • Launch Leadership program: $11,700.00​ 

  • Propel Pathways Program: $14,400.00

  • A pay in full discount may be offered.

  • Promotional discounts apply to the full price. Promotional discounts are NOT calculated from the pay in full discounted price. 

  • The cost is all-inclusive for the program features outlined above. Additional professional development workshops may be offered from time to time for an additional fee (ie: our partner agreement with Wiley Everything DiSC and The Five Behaviors.)

• What is KALA's refund policy?​

  • We work with participants on a case-by-case basis to find a fair solution based on the specific circumstances. Our goal is to find a solution that works for you. Here are some options we might explore:

  • Matching in a New Cohort: If the timing isn't ideal or the match isn't working, we might be able to defer your participation and match you with a new mentor in a future cohort.

  • Delaying Participation: If you need to postpone your start date due to unforeseen circumstances, we might be able to accommodate a program delay.

  • Explore alternative options based on your personal circumstances.