DIALOGUE
Jennifer Young (JY)
Clubhouse Manager
Islington Golf Club
Toronto, Ont.
Jon Fisher, CCM, CCE (JF)
EVP Experience and Lifestyle
Windmill Golf Group
Calgary, Alta.
Ines Pasqual (IP)
Food & Beverage Services Manager
Mississaugua Golf and Country Club
Mississauga, Ont.
Panelists:
How would you define what a mentor is in the
club Industry?
JY: I would define a mentor in the club industry as a professional
who shares experiences from their own career path to provide
motivation, role modelling and support to their mentee. They
possess a willingness to share knowledge and expertise, but most
importantly they teach the skills needed to be successful.
JF: A professional, in all regards, with the wisdom in determining
“ends,” the means of attaining them and who is blessed with
practical and sound judgement.
IP: Someone who is interested in sharing their career path,
provides guidance, advice, motivation and support to the mentee.
Why is having a mentor important in the
club Industry?
JY: I believe it is important to have a mentor in the club industry
because they provide information and knowledge from invaluable
career experiences. The mentee can learn from these experiences,
which will help stimulate professional growth. Having a mentor
also creates professional socialization and personal support to
facilitate success. I have been fortunate to have had a mentor for
more than 20 years and he continues to inspire me in my career
choices. He also encouraged me to become a CSCM member and
be involved in committee programs. CSCM has provided me the
opportunity to develop relationships with other like-minded club
professionals.
JF: A club is a small town, whose citizens have earned the luxury
of membership. It is for the club manager to think, be minded
and be wise. These citizens have history, ownership and experience
on their side. As a club leader, always seek influencers and thought
leaders in all areas of the professional competencies.
IP: Having a mentor is important because they share their
knowledge and encouragement to help the mentee with their career.
What do you as a mentor look for in a mentee?
JY: Most importantly, what I look for in a mentee is the willingness
to learn and develop a long-term relationship focused on growth.
This relationship should be based on mutual trust and respect.
As a mentor, I become a source of support and wisdom through
teaching my mentee to become a future leader. I have been fortunate
in my career to be able to balance parental responsibilities
along with my professional ones. The future leaders in the industry
should learn from mentors that there are no limitations – set your
goals and achieve them.
JF: Does he/she have the care and energy for her member?
The heart and curiosity to go to the ends of the earth to serve the
needs and wishes of her members? Is he/she committed to the
long-term sustainability of her club and her career? What will he/
she teach me?
IP: I look for someone who is passionate about their field.
Someone who is committed to self development, learning, asking
questions, to being innovative and creative. Someone who is committed
to self development and wants to grow. I want them to be
reliable and consistent, but most of all I want them to be positive.
What advice would you give to a club industry
professional at the beginning of their career who is
looking for a mentor versus the advice you would
give to a professional in the middle of their career?
How is what they need in a mentor different?
JY: My advice would be to look for a mentor who you can develop
a long-term relationship and who that can relate to you. Mentors
might be at different stages of their career, a mentee who is at the
beginning of their career may be best suited with someone who is
in their mid-career. The professional in the middle of their career
is looking for a mentor who can help them reach their end goal.
JF: In the beginning, look for a mentor who can shine a light
on the diverse opportunities in the industry. A mentor who can
see your brilliance and support you in your quest to find your
right fit. As each club is unique, each club management professional
has a magic that needs to be enabled. Find a mentor who
cares enough to understand and seek your essence and introduce
you to the resources and professionals who can contribute to
your experience.
In the middle of your career, you would benefit from
a mentor who specializes in what it is that you have
determined as your “passion.” Seek an influencer
who has been down the path that you are on or
wish to take.
IP: The assistance I would give to a club industry professional at
the beginning of their career would be to help them understand
12 § The Canadian Society of Club Managers § www.cscm.org
/www.cscm.org
