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Mentorship Program

Program Summary

The OR-URISA Emerging Professionals (EP) Mentorship Program introduces new GIS professionals (0-5 years of experience) and students (college students with some GIS coursework) to established GIS professionals (2+ 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, promoting professional development events, opportunities to present at GIS in Action, develop goals and set an action plan, and learn new skills.

The program is open to ORURISA members in the Oregon and Southwest Washington area.


Applications

The Mentor Application is now open for 2025. 

APPLY NOW TO BE A MENTOR

(more than 2 years professional experience)

The Mentee Application is now open for 2025. 

MENTEE APPLICATION LINK

(less than 5 years professional experience)


Program Information

Quick Facts

  • Duration: 6 months (November through May)
  • Cohort size: 24 participants (12 mentors and 12 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 2nd, 2025: Virtual Information Session (Virtual) from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
  • Mid October 2025: Selected applicants announced
  • Late October 2025: Mentor and mentee introduction 
  • November 2025: Kick-off Event and Program Introduction (Virtual) from 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Events to Connect with Mentor Cohort

Below are 2025 events that occur within the program.

Kick-off Event: Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 from 6:00 - 8pm (Virtual)

  • Meet the entire cohort

  • Start conversation about professional development opportunities

  • Develop pairs Action Plans


GIS Day: (Wednesday, November 19th, 2025)

  • This is not an official Emerging Professionals event, but it will be a casual (and fun) opportunity to meet other people in the cohort and celebrate with the GIS community

Winter Check-in (mid-February 2026)

  • Discuss mentee projects

  • Make plans for the final half of the program


GIS in Action (April 2026)

  • Presentations by mentees on their experience in the program

  • Share your experience with the OR-URISA community


Program Closing Event (May 15, 2026)

  • Presentations or reflections by cohort 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  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
  • Strengthen communication and  interpersonal skills
  • Gain increased visibility in the field
  • Build your self-confidence

MENTORS

  • Give back and help grow Oregon’s GIS community
  • Earn GISP volunteering credit
  • Get exposure to the emerging  talent pool
  • Re-energize your career
  • 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


 


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