Mentoring
Mentoring and guiding students and young professionals as they develop their careers is a key component of the BPRS/Atlanta mission. We have developed this mentoring program, organized and led by a strong committee of professionals, to benefit each individual in the program, the organization and the PR industry.
Purpose
- Match metro Atlanta college PR students with seasoned PR professionals
- Help guide students in selecting appropriate college courses
- Serve as a sounding board for ideas
- Provide guidance in career development
- Perpetuate inclusive environment of race, gender, economic backgrounds, industry background, etc.
Benefits
- Exposure to knowledge and skills from seasoned PR professionals
- Contributes to the overall success of the PR industry
- Provides contact with seasoned professionals
- Provides career guidance and advice
- Identifies strengths and weaknesses
- Helps develop networking skills
- Encourages focused career planning
- Enhances coaching and listening skills
- Provides understanding of current concerns emerging leaders face in the PR industry
- Fosters satisfaction of grooming and shaping emerging PR practitioners
- Opportunity to share professional experiences with others outside the office or classroom
Protégé Requirements
- Paid member of BPRS/Atlanta
- Enrolled in a four-year accredited metro Atlanta college or university
- Enrolled during the school year applying for mentorship
- Studying PR, Mass Communications, Journalism or Marketing
- Commit to an interview with Mentoring Committee
- Commit to one semester or six months as protégé
- Attend regularly scheduled meetings with mentor
- Attend a minimum of three BPRS/Atlanta meetings
- Participate in a survey of program
Mentor Requirements
- Paid member of BPRS/Atlanta
- Hold a four-year degree from an accredited college or university
- Have a minimum of five years experience in a communications discipline
- Currently work in field of communications
- Commit to an interview with Executive Board and Mentoring Committee
- Commit to one semester or six months of mentoring
- Responsible for the relationship; manage expectations
- Attend a minimum of four BPRS/Atlanta meetings
- Participate in a survey of program
Process
- Submit the following:
- PRS/Atlanta Mentoring Application
- Current résumé
- Letter of intent
- Mentoring Committee to pair a student with a professional based on application
- Conduct an introductory meeting with student and mentor for compatibility
- Executive Board and Mentoring Committee to approve match
- Participants required to submit monthly status reports
- Submit applications to info@bprsatlanta.org
