ORURISA - Mentorship Program

Mentorship Program

Program Summary

The OR-URISA Emerging Professionals (EP) Mentorship Program introduces new GIS professionals (0-5 years of experiences) and students (college students with some GIS coursework) to established GIS professionals (5+ years experience). The program’s goal is to help connect professionals, foster continuing relationships, and share resources that create opportunities for success for emerging professionals.

The EPs will provide ideas, activities, and opportunities for professional development throughout the six-month program, such as resume reviewing, job shadowing, networking opportunities, brown bag lunch series, promote professional development events, opportunity to present at GIS in Action, develop goals and set an action plan, and learn new skills.

Applications

Applications Closed October 15th, 2021 for 2021-2022 Mentorship Program applications.

Mentorship Program pairs have been chosen for the 2021-2022 cohort!!! This was an extremely hard decision since we had almost 50 mentee applicants and 25 mentor applicants with only 12 pairs to choose. All the applicants were highly qualified and those not chosen for the 2021-2022 cohort should consider applying for next years mentorship program. Additionally, there are still opportunities to network and get involved with the GIS community by volunteering on a planning committee, organizing a social event, or planning a workshop. Reach out to us if you are interested in helping coordinate some of these events. Thank you for your time and effort in applying.

Program Information

Quick Facts

Duration: 6 months (tentatively November through April)
Cohort size: 10 participants (5 mentors and 5 mentees)
Cost of program: Free
Selection process: Mentor and mentee applicants submit applications. The EP Committee selects mentors and then pairs mentees from the applicant pool based on aligned professional interests.

Important Dates

October 15th, 2021: Deadline for application submission
Week of November 1st, 2021: Announcement of selected applicants
Week of November 15th, 2021: Announcement mentorship pairs and introductions
End of November/Beginning December Weekend Date (TBA): Kick-off Event and Program Introduction (Virtual)

Events to Connect with Mentor Cohort

Below are a sample of events that occur within the program. Due to COVID, the 2021-2022 cohort will be modified with virtual events.

Kick-off Event: (Fall 2021)

Meet and greet for mentors and mentees
Start conversation about professional development opportunities
Develop pairs Action-Plans

Mid-program Check-in (Winter 2022)

Status updates on goal progress from cohort
Plan for the final half of the program

GIS in Action (April 2022)

Presentations by mentees on their experience in the program
Share your experience with the OR-URISA community

Program Closing Happy Hour (Spring 2022)

Presentations by mentees on their experience in the program
Celebrate your accomplishments and strength your cohort connection

Mentorship Benefits

MENTEES

• Get exposure to a real-life professional workplace setting

• Learn the tricks of the trade
from an industry veteran

• Scope out potential career paths

• Take your professionalism to the next level; challenge yourself, set higher goals and take risks

• Develop increased competencies and stronger interpersonal skills

• Gain increased visibility in the field

• Find your self-confidence

MENTORS

• Re-energize your career
• Get exposure to the emerging
   talent pool
• Learn the newest tools, ideas
   and current trends
• Get a fresh perspective, reflect
   on your own practices
• Improve your coaching,
   recruitment, and management skills
• Help an emerging professional to
   develop their potential
• Give back and help grow Oregon’s
   GIS community

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