Chicago Camps Podcast

In this Tent Talks session, Kara Fitzpatrick, former Director of Experience Design in the Obama White House, breaks down the essentials of mentorship—structured versus unstructured, common pitfalls, and the tools that make mentorship impactful. She shares personal experiences from government, corporate, and community-based mentorship, offering practical ways to create meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. Through thoughtful guidance, adaptable strategies, and an emphasis on trust, Kara provides a roadmap for professionals at any stage to engage in mentorship effectively. Structured vs. Unstructured Mentorship: Key Differences & Impact• Mentorship generally falls into three types: casual “coffee chat” mentorship, semi-structured engagements, and fully structured mentorships with defined goals.• A structured mentorship starts with a clear understanding of objectives, expectations, and a mutual agreement on what success looks like.• Setting clear goals from the beginning ensures both mentor and mentee gain