ORURISA - Mentorship Program

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

Applications Open September 16, 2024 to October 13th, 2024 for the 2024-2025 Mentorship Program cohort.

Mentor Application Link

(more than 2 years professional experience)

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

EP Mentorship Information Session - October 8th, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30pm

Location: Lucky Lab Brewing Company at 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
Pop in any time from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Talk to Board members about the program and get answers to any
questions you might have.

October 13th, 2024: Deadline for application submission
Week of October 21st, 2024: Announcement of selected applicants
Week of October 28th, 2024: Announcement mentorship pairs and introductions
November 14th, 2024: Kick-off Event and Program Introduction (Virtual) from 6:30 - 8pm

Events to Connect with Mentor Cohort

Below are events that occur within the program. Dates are tentative and could change.

Kick-off Event: Thursday, November 14th, 2024 from 6:30 - 8pm (Virtual)

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

GIS Day: (Wednesday, November 20th, 2024)

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

Winter Check-in (February 2025)

Discuss mentee projects
Make plans for the final half of the program

GIS in Action (April 2025)

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

Program Closing Event (May 2025)

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

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software