Mentorship
Six-Month Mentorship Program
VRA has a long history of providing leadership and community to visual resource professionals. The Membership Committee offers a one-on-one six-month mentoring pilot program, matching experienced Visual Resource (VR) professionals with new VRA members and new VR professionals. The goal is to connect new VRA members with existing members to act as a guide in the VR profession and VRA organization.
Program dates are January through June 2025.
This is a pilot program and will allow up to 20 participants (10 mentors/10 mentees).
Eligibility
Mentors are experienced VR professionals who are eager to listen, offer advice about career goals, and has knowledge about VRA organization. Mentors must have at least two years of experience in the VR profession. Program welcomes professionals with diverse career backgrounds. Mentors must be current VRA members.
Mentees may be new VR professionals eager to learn from experienced professionals about their career field. They are prepared to ask questions and engage in discussions about their evolving career path. Mentees must be current VRA members.
Expectations
Mentors and mentees will commit to meet monthly, virtual or in-person, and with occasional email correspondence between meetings.
The Mentor Coordinator will provide themed discussion guides with resources to mentors each month to ignite conversations with their mentees.
Application Process
Mentors may apply here. Deadline to apply is Wednesday November 20th at midnight EST.
Mentees may apply here. Deadline is Friday November 22nd at midnight EST.
Mentors will be selected first to ensure enough pairs. Resumes are optional.
Virtual Information Sessions, hosted by the Mentor Coordinator, are available to all VRA members to learn more about the Mentorship Program on Wednesday October 30th. Check VRA listserv for Zoom links or email mentorship@vraweb.org.
MENTOR Info Session at 12:30p EST.
MENTEE Info Session at 3:30p EST.
Administration of the Program
Matches will be notified the week of December 2nd.
Mentor and Mentee orientations will be offered the week of December 9th. These orientations offer a chance for each group of mentors/mentees to meet other participants and the Mentor Coordinator.
There will be a virtual or email check-in between the Mentor Coordinator and each mentor in late March/early April.
Program participants will be asked to complete a survey in July to help develop the mentorship program for the future.
Questions? Email Julia Murphy, Mentor Coordinator, at mentorship@vraweb.org.
FAQ’s
A sampling of frequently asked questions and answers can be found here.
Annual Conference Mentor Program
Each year our association has many members who are attending their first or second conference. Even with user-friendly conference programs a newcomer may have questions or need advice. The Annual Conference Mentor Program matches a seasoned conference-attendee (mentor) with such a first-timer. This is a fun and collegial program that has had much success and positive feedback. Both mentors and mentees have found the program greatly enhances their conference experience.
Eligibility
Mentors: VRA members who have attended one or more recent VRA conferences and are reasonably well acquainted with the Association.
Mentees: Any VRA member who is a first (or second) time conference attendee.
Expectations
Conference mentors will be asked to make contact with their mentees ahead of the conference. At that time arrangements can be made to meet for coffee or lunch, etc. on the first or second day to talk about the Association and give tips to enhance the conference experience. Mentors will introduce mentees to others at any and all events to help that person build his or her own network within the Association.
Application Process
You may request a conference mentor or volunteer as a mentor when you register for the conference, or contact the Membership Committee’s Mentor Coordinator.
Administration of the Program
The Annual Conference Mentor Program is administered by Membership Committee’s Mentor Coordinator who will contact participants one month ahead of the conference.