MKA Mentoring Program Overview
Mentoring is a good idea for future career selection and guidance. This will inshallah also build and strengthen professional links between jamaat members. Such programs and others, which help guide and promote interest in higher education should be specifically encouraged.
- - Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Khamisra, Oct 2005
The Mentoring program is being initiated by the Department of Senat-o-Tijarat, MKA USA under the guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaba V. Khazooraba approved an MKA Shura proposal of the year 2005 instructing to establish the Mentoring Program to provide career counseling and professional guidance to our young students. The specific objective of this program is to provide guidance to students (Atfal or Khuddam) with the help of our elderly Khuddam who have achieved a certain degree of success in their respective professions. Although there are numerous mentoring programs available elsewhere including in most schools, this program is being launched to benefit younger generation of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community utilizing the professional resources available within the community.
How the Program Works?
Under this program, one younger Khadim or Tifal (Protégé) will be introduced to one experienced Khadim (Mentor) who is working in Protégé's general area of interest or intended career choice. The experienced Khadim will then act as a mentor to him and will provide him focused guidance using the best of his abilities over the period of few months (suggested duration is at least 3 months). Sometimes, even if a student does not have a clear idea of what profession or career he is going to choose, especially this is expected from students of young age, he can still participate in this program. In this case, a mentor can help him understand his options as well as could provide motivation and inspiration necessary for his future career development.
Goals of the Program
To provide focused guidance to members of younger generation so that they excel in their professional careers.
To provide career guidance to those Khuddam or Atfal who may not have suitable professional help available to them.
To promote a culture of brotherhood between older and younger Khuddam or Atfal.
Some Examples of the Outcomes of Past Mentor-Protégé Relationships
A high school graduate who has decided not to go to college changes his mind to go to the college as a result of mentoring.
An accounting student educated outside of US is pursuing the path to get his qualifications recognized in USA as a result of guidance provided to him by his mentor.
A Khadim who has been working for few years after college degree wants to go back to school for Ph. D. and gets guidance on his options of doing so through a mentor.
Where can I get Further Information
Department of Senat-o-Tijarat has prepared one page guides for future mentors and protégés who want to participate in this program. These guides are available at www.mkausa.org/documents/sot or can be obtained by emailing at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Here. You can also find answers to the frequently asked questions and contact list of the Regional Nazimeen of the Program. Generally speaking, the body of knowledge about Mentorship has significantly evolved over the past couple of decades. http://www.mentoring.org/ and http://www.mentors.net/ are the links to some good websites with latest research and trends in the field.
To download this information as word document click here
MKA USA Discussion Forums! 
