Building Connections & Careers: The WMPRSA Mentor Program Celebrates 100+ Matches!
It’s remarkable to think that only three years ago, in the fall of 2021, WMPRSA launched its Mentor Match program. Designed to connect seasoned PR professionals with eager students and newcomers to the field, this initiative has already matched 121 unique pairs, including 47 mentors and 55 mentees. And with several repeat participants, it’s clear the mentorship program is valuable to both professionals and students alike.
Why Mentorship?
Imagine being a student or newcomer in the field, or new to the community. Where do you begin? How do you meet people and learn the landscape of the PR industry in your community? This is one of the great benefits of the mentorship program. More than just networking, it’s a focused effort to bring together people working in public relations to learn about best practices, gain insider knowledge and hear about job or internship opportunities.
“Our Mentor Match program is a simple and effective way to continually expand your network with new connections in our community,” says Lisa Taylor, a director at Sabo PR and longtime WMPRSA member who developed the program. “With a focus on reciprocal learning, it’s intended to help either jump start or enrich your career through meaningful conversations over a four-month mentorship experience.”
While the chapter’s monthly programming, training and events are vital in our continuous learning, there’s something special about having a one-on-one connection with another person whose experience into which you can tap. These experiences can be rich, with mentors and mentees learning from each other.
The thought of finding a mentor may be daunting. Or as a professional, it may be something you’ve wanted to do – to offer your expertise and support and “give back” to a profession that means so much to you. WMPRSA’s Professional Development Committee has helped make it easier, helping both newcomers and seasoned pros take that first step.
How The Mentor Program Works
Active WMPRSA and PRSSA members are welcome to participate. Each quarter, the Professional Development Committee works together to match professionals and students who’ve signed up and according to the participants’ areas of expertise and interest. Participants receive an email notification of their match, with instructions for setting up that first meeting, along with a helpful guide to get the conversation going. Then, pairs take it from there to develop relationships and ongoing support.
Annalise Laumeyer, director of communications at the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, who started as a mentee and now mentors others, says this:
“The ability to learn one-on-one from another public relations professional through WMPRSA’s mentor match program was invaluable. I developed a greater set of skills through engaging conversations on topics that were relevant to both my daily work and future ambitions. I am grateful to WMPRSA for connecting professionals through this program. It is a great asset to our chapter.”
Why The Mentor Program Works
The chapter is fortunate to have many professionals willing to give their time and expertise to help others on their professional journey. Clare Wade, APR, Fellow PRSA, highlights the mutual benefits of mentorship:
“What I value about mentoring is that we both come away with a fresh perspective and a new PRSA contact. Mentees are curious, and ask great questions about how to find resources, navigate the workplace and connect with professionals outside their network. Knowing the challenges they face and what really matters to them helps me offer guidance that they can consider and then take it from there. Their talent and energy inspire me!”
Mentorship is an opportunity for both the mentor and the mentee to learn from each other. It’s a two-way street and the relationship is enriching for both.
In addition to the one-on-one meetings, the Professional Development Committee schedules quarterly informal meetups (usually at a local coffee shop) for mentors, mentees and anyone interested in learning more about the program. At these informal meetups, we share ideas, socialize and deepen our networks. Born out of a desire to create more face time in a hybrid world, it’s another chance to connect with other PR pros beyond the chapter’s regular programming.
Grand Valley State University student Morgen Head sums it up: The program is a fantastic opportunity to gain practical knowledge, build confidence and grow your career.
What’s Unique About the WMPRSA Mentor Match Program
Flexibility. Meetings take place in a variety of settings, from casual coffee meetups to office visits and even virtual sessions – whatever works best for the participants. Pairs meet monthly for four months, after which they rotate to new mentor-mentee pairings each quarter, for as long as they’d like, continually offering fresh perspectives and new connections.
“The program was intentionally designed around academic semesters with students in mind, but we've found the four-month framework to be a reasonable time commitment for practicing professionals as well,” Lisa says. “The four-month cadence allows participants to form a new mentoring relationship each season, but pairs who’ve really hit it off are always welcome to stay connected beyond the program.”
Your Turn!
Whether you’re an experienced PR pro ready to share your wisdom or a newcomer eager to learn (or vice versa!), getting involved in the WMPRSA Mentor Match program is simple. Learn more about all WMPRSA mentorship opportunities and sign up for our next Mentor Match cohort, which will begin next January. You’ll be glad you gave yourself (and others) the gift of growing professionally and personally and making meaningful connections in the PR community.
