Mentorship Program

Why Mentorship Program?

This Mentoring Program has been prepared by the PMI Serbia Chapter to enhance the professional experience and development of its participants.

The Program aims to provide opportunities for the youngest project managers to learn from experienced professionals (Mentors) during a six-month program.

Participation is strictly voluntary and without financial compensation in the first year when this Program is being implemented for the first time.

Program Goals

Project Management – Working on PM skills, new trends, and strategies needed to become more efficient and successful in your job.
Career Development – Learn how to plan the next goals in your PM career.
Leadership Skill Enhancement – In areas such as conducting complex conversations, negotiation strategies and influence, as well as establishing and developing trust-based relationships.

This Program is NOT a way to prepare for your PMP exam, obtain a school diploma, or a means to get a job or job recommendation.

Benefits for Mentors

Recognition – PMI Serbia will promote the profiles of Mentors and the praise they receive from participants on its website and social/business networks.
PDU Points – Mentors earn PDU points through the "Giving Back to the Profession" category, collecting 1 PDU per voluntary hour (up to a maximum of 24 PDUs).
Giving Back – Contribute to the PMI community by leveraging years of experience, knowledge, and wisdom to help young professionals succeed. Remember – someone once helped you too!
Interpersonal Skill Development – Improve teaching, counseling, and training skills with very young people, which can certainly benefit you in a team leadership position (current or future) in your daily work.
Insights – Gain new insights from your interactions with young professionals – what matters to them, how they communicate, which skills come naturally to them and where they need additional training, what motivates them to perform better, and how they choose their future employer and workplace.

Benefits for Mentees

Skill Development – Practical learning from expert, experienced, and distinguished professionals.
Professional Networking – Build a network of relevant business contacts among peers in the PMI community through lectures, workshops, and gatherings held online and in person.
Earning PDU Points – Earn PDU points in the "Education" category through informal learning.
Problem-Solving in a "Safe" Business Environment – You can ask your mentor questions you might feel awkward asking your boss at your official workplace, for fear of being misunderstood or even denied a promotion because your questions might be interpreted as a lack of knowledge.
Professional Goals – Broaden your horizons and explore all possible directions and goals for career development.

Program Schedule

All sessions will be held virtually unless the Mentor and Mentees agree otherwise.

November – Applications, introduction, group formation, and start of activities.

December, January, February – Mentoring sessions.

March – Program conclusion and “graduation” in the form of a celebration and certificate distribution.

Requirements

Mentors and mentees must be members of the PMI Serbia Chapter with a good reputation.
Mentors and mentees must complete application forms and go through the selection and pairing process.
Mentors are experienced professionals with at least 10 years of project management experience and hold at least one PMI certification, preferably PMP.
Mentees are students or hold a role in a project team at their workplace; they are committed to learning and professional development; preference is given to individuals under 30 years old. *Student membership in PMI is only $32 per year.
Mentors and mentees must meet at least twice a month during the six-month program.
Mentors and mentees are expected to attend the program conclusion and graduation event in person on a location that will be defined during the mentorship program

FAQ

Concise answers to common questions about eligibility, courses, and enrollment. It’s a handy resource for quick Program details.

How can I become a member of PMI Serbia Chapter?

To become a member of PMI, click HERE.
When you pay for membership in the PMI organization, you will be offered the option to choose Serbia local chapter if you wish to take advantage of the benefits provided by our Chapter, including participation in the Mentorship Program.

How long does the Program last?

The formal program lasts approximately 4 months. If you wish to continue your education, you can apply for our Continuous Learning Program.

What if both parties agree to extend the mentoring partnership?

This is possible if the Mentor has the time and willingness to continue the collaboration.
It is considered good practice to set specific goals to be achieved during the "extensions".

What happens in case of a disagreement?

If a disagreement arises between the Mentor and the Mentee, either of the two participants needs to request a change, i.e., pairing with another group. If this is not possible, the Mentee will be placed on the waiting list for the next workshop cycle.

Can I use this Program for the 35 contact hours needed for PMP or any other PMI certification?

No. This Program does not have the format of formal education required for the certification process.

How will Mentor/Mentee pairs be selected?

Matches will be sought based on experience, industry, professional specialization, mentoring preferences, and a range of other considerations. However, if there are few mentors, small groups of mentees (up to 4 people) will be formed to work with one mentor.

If I apply for the Mentoring Program, am I guaranteed a pairing?

Perfect pairing cannot be guaranteed. It depends on the applications we receive from Mentors and Mentees for that specific cycle.

Are mentoring sessions conducted confidentially?

Information shared between participants in the context of a formal mentoring relationship is considered highly confidential and should not be shared outside the mentoring sessions without the explicit permission of the other person. However, there is no signing of any written agreement.

Can I earn PDU points?

Both mentors and/or mentees, if certified for CAPM, PMP, or another certification, can earn PDU points for their active participation in the Mentorship Program.

How many PDU points can I earn?

Mentors: 1 PDU per hour of volunteering (max 24 PDUs), "Giving Back" category.
Mentees: 1 PDU per hour session, "Education" category.
1 PDU = 1 hour of face-to-face, digital, or real-time Mentor-Mentee interaction.

Agreement for Participants in Mentorship Program

The Mentorship Program aims to enhance participants' professional skills. Participation is voluntary and unpaid. Please review the sections on Liability, Confidentiality, and Code of Conduct. By applying to the Mentorship Program you confirm agreement with the Program’s principles.

Limited Liability

Mentors are volunteers, not experts or paid consultants. Mentors, PMI, and PMI Serbia Chapter are not responsible for decisions regarding work, career, personal life, or other choices you make during or after the Program. Mentors offer insights based on experience, not decisions for Mentees. By participating, you neither expect nor require PMI Serbia Chapter, Mentors, or others to make business decisions for you or bear responsibility for advice given during sessions.

PMI Serbia Chapter, PMI, participants, and volunteers are not liable for losses, costs, or damages, including legal fees, resulting from decisions made during or post-Program. This includes lawsuits involving copyright, patents, trade secrets, or trademarks under Serbian or other laws. Participants must responsibly handle shared information.

Confidentiality

Data (except contact details from applications) may be shared with Program participants. Survey or evaluation data is shared only with the PMI Serbia Chapter Board anonymously.

Code of Conduct for Mentees

As a Mentee, I commit to:

Respect and value my Mentor.
Not ask for job opportunities.
Enhance my project management knowledge.
Keep information confidential unless approved by the Mentor.
Act professionally without expecting friendship.
Take the mentoring relationship seriously and honor commitments.
Dedicate myself to my goals.
Communicate with my Mentor at agreed times.

Code of Conduct for Mentors

As a Mentor, I commit to:

Treat Mentee with respect and empathy while maintaining professional boundaries.
Consider all information confidential unless the Mentee authorizes its disclosure.
Focus on sharing knowledge and insights about project management.
Not assume the role of an advisor, regardless of the questions asked.
Support Mentee in achieving his/her professional goals.
Communicate with Mentee at agreed-upon times according to the established schedule.

Mentors of the First Generation in PMI Serbia Chapter Mentorship Program

In 2024, the PMI Serbia Chapter launched its Mentorship Program as a pilot program. Over six months, 12 mentors and 14 participants engaged in one-on-one sessions online or in person, exploring topics and challenges from a project manager’s daily life. Experienced Mentors shared knowledge and insights with younger professionals, who could ask questions they wouldn’t pose to their managers. Sessions also covered job search tips, education, employment advice, and informal PMI breakfasts or dinners.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, prompting us to make the Program an annual event with refinements. This first cycle provided valuable insights to enhance future iterations.

Each September or October, we’ll open applications for Mentees (project managers with up to 3 years of experience or final-year students) and Mentors (PM professionals with over 10 years of experience and at least one PMI certification). The Program will run for 3-4 months, depending on holidays.

We extend special gratitude to the inaugural Mentors, whose creativity, dedication, and expertise shaped the Program. These exceptional professionals - many business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs - volunteered their time to inspire the next generation, laying a strong foundation for future Mentors.