Coaching Pods
What is a coaching pod?
A time-boxed group mentorship program format for PMI-SD chapter members. An experienced project manager will hold group coaching sessions with up to 4-5 mentees. Each coaching pod will focus on a specific goal or a specific project management competency, process, or tool. Participants must commit to attend all sessions. The program format is as follows:
- 60-minute Mentor Orientation Session.
- 90-minute Kick-Off and Orientation Session for both mentors and mentees.
- Six 60 to 90-minute structured coaching sessions to be conducted over 7 weeks. Session date/time to be mutually determined by each pod. Sessions are usually held on a weekday after 5:00 p.m., PT.
There are no additional fees to participate if selected. Selected mentees must be an active PMI-SD chapter member.
When will the coaching pods be offered and what topics will each pod focus on?
The Fall 2026 cohort will be from September to November 2026 including orientation sessions. Registration will open in end of June 2026.
Coaching pods may potentially include the following potential topics:
- Entry-Level Project Management Career Transition
- Military Veteran Transition to Non-Military Careers
- Experienced Project Managers Seeking Job Search Support
- Career Progression for Project Managers
- Project Management Skills (e.g., stakeholder management, scheduling, active listening, adaptive communications, conflict resolution, and problem-solving)
- Other project management topics based on mentor and mentee registration interest.
What are the expectations and time commitment for Mentors?
- Attend both virtual Mentor Orientation Session (late August 2026) and the Kick-Off Orientation Session (early September 2026) for Mentors and Mentees.
- Propose and align on the topics for the 6 coaching pod sessions.
- Listen and share knowledge, experience, concepts, ideas, resources, and time.
- Act as a coach and expand on the mentees’ knowledge.
- Encourage mentees to share their own experiences and knowledge.
- Manage the 6 coaching pod session logistics:
- Align on the dates/times for the 6 coaching pod sessions.
- Schedule the 6 coaching pod sessions.
- Track attendance and topics covered in each of the sessions.
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Submit feedback to chapter about the coach pod program including program improvements.
What are the expectations and time commitment for Mentees?
- Attend the mandatory virtual Kick-Off Orientation Session for Mentors/Mentees if accepted to the program. Kick-off Orientation will be held in early September 2026.
- Attend at least 5 out of the 6 weekly sessions. Weekly sessions are 60-90 minutes and typically held between 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., PT on weekdays. If your schedule poses challenges to attend the 6 sessions, please consider applying for the next cohort in Spring 2027.
- Provide input to the mentor and pod on topics for the 6 coaching pod sessions.
- Commit your time to prepare, attend and be engaged during the 6 coaching pod sessions.
- Expand your knowledge and be willing to learn.
- Offer your experiences and knowledge to fellow mentees.
- Be able to accept feedback.
- Submit feedback to chapter about the coach pod program including program improvements.
How does the coaching pod selection process work?
- Coaching pod selection will be based on the number of mentor volunteers available, the topic the mentor will share their experiences on, and the topic the mentee is interested in expanding their knowledge on.
- Each pod will include mentors and mentees from different industries and different project domains.
- The mentorship team will attempt to match mentors and mentees to their top preference.
Will there be a fee to if I get selected to be a mentor or mentee?
There will be no fees assessed for participation in the program. Mentees must have an active PMI-SD chapter membership in order to participate.
Will PDUs be offered for participants?
PMI-SD Chapter members who have a registered PMI credential (PMP, PMI-ACP, etc.) can earn PDUs. Mentors can report Power Skills PDUs by submitting the coaching pod hours under the “Education, Informal Learning" and mentees can report PDUs by submitting coaching pod hours under "Education, Informal Learning".
Registration for both mentors and mentees for the Fall 2026 cohort will be open at the end of June 2026. Please contact [email protected] if you have questions about the program.
