The OR-URISA Emerging Professionals (EP) Mentorship Program introduces new GIS professionals (0-5 years of experiences) and students (college seniors) 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.

*This is a pilot program. We want the pilot cohort to not only be excited to advance their own careers but also willing to work with OR-URISA and the EPs to help build a mentor program that is valuable to for future cohorts.The pilot program will include surveys and informational interviews to gather feedback and ideas from cohort participants on how to grow and structure a meaningful, lasting mentor program.

• Duration: 6 months (tentatively September through March)
• 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 works with mentors to select mentees from the applicant pool based on aligned professional interests.

Mentorship Benefits