Overview
APHA Mentor Match is the latest addition to an expanding line-up of our services to support members' professional development needs. It is an online tool — including a searchable database — that facilitates the establishment of mentoring relationships. It is user-driven, allowing registered Mentees to search among registered Mentors using specified criteria to find individuals whose experience and expertise match the areas in which they wish to be mentored.
Mentor Match is a benefit of membership and is available only to members. There is no extra charge to use this resource.
Program FAQs
How are Mentors and Mentees matched?
Members must first enroll as a Mentor, Mentee (coming soon) or both. During the enrollment process, members will select preferences for various demographics to establish their criteria. A registered Mentee will visit the "Find a Mentor" page and fill in their search criteria to search for Mentors. The Mentee will click the names of the potential Mentors to view their profiles. Once the Mentee has decided on a Mentor, they will click on the blue Request Mentor button. An e-mail will be sent to the Mentor alerting them they have been requested to be a Mentor. The Mentor will be able to accept or decline the request.
Where are the Terms and Conditions I first agreed to when I signed up?
You can easily locate the Terms and Conditions on the footer of the Mentor Match website.
Mentor FAQs
How do I become a Mentor?
Easy! Enroll as a Mentor. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various demographics and also to complete your member profile.
Who are the Mentees?
Mentees are other APHA members who are looking for guidance and connections.
Can I have more than one Mentee?
We recommend that you be judicious in selecting only 1-3 Mentees in a 6-month period who are most suited to learn from your expertise and experience. You can limit the number of Mentee requests you are willing to accept on the "Mentoring Enrollment" page.
Is it okay to reject a request?
Yes, but there should be a good reason to do so. We encourage you to at least have an initial conversation to explore whether the relationship would be mutually fulfilling. If a potential Mentee has misinterpreted information in your profile, you may find him/her to be an inappropriate match. If you want to decline a request, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and check the "decline" button next to the specific request.
What if I'm going to be on vacation or unavailable for a while?
Go to the "Mentor Enrollment" page, click the "Mentor Status" link then click on the checkbox next to "Temporarily Not Participating." Doing this will indicate that you are not accepting any Mentee requests at the moment, and your mentoring profile will not be included in a Mentee's search for a Mentor. It is your responsibility to communicate your availability to your existing Mentees.
How do I end a mentoring relationship?
If the mentoring relationship is complete, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as "completed."If the mentoring relationship isn't working out, please kindly discuss your decision to end the relationship with your Mentee. Go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as "completed."
What are the expectations for participating Mentors?
We expect you will fulfill your commitment to developing your relationships. We expect you to respond to initial requests from Mentees in a timely manner, and that you communicate with your Mentees as agreed upon by both you and your Mentees. You should also refer to the Terms and Conditions for a list of what you agreed to upon enrolling as a mentor.
How much time will I need to invest as a Mentor?
Mentoring relationships tend to last two to six months, but the length of the relationship and how often you meet is entirely up to you and your Mentor. We recommend that you and your Mentees agree on a schedule that works best for both of you. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship. Keep in mind that mentoring doesn't necessarily require large amounts of your time. Even brief phone calls or e-mail exchanges with you can make a big difference to your Mentee(s). The annual meeting also offers a convenient venue for getting together with your Mentees over coffee or lunch.
What benefits do I receive from the organization if I participate as a Mentor in the program?
All Mentors are volunteers. This is your opportunity to give back to your profession. You can add it to your resume and as an active program participant, you will receive a ribbon in APHA LEAD identifying you as a Mentor.