Q: Are there any mandatory qualifications to be a mentor/mentee?

A: The only qualification is that mentors and mentees must have a current, active AAJA membership to participate in the program. To be an eligible candidate, become an AAJA member here. 

Q: Are mentee applications only open to current students?

A: Mentee applications are open to current students and professionals seeking to benefit from a  mentoring relationship with more experienced journalists. 

Q: What if I’ve never mentored anyone before? Can I still apply as a mentor?

A: We encourage applicants who have previous mentoring experience to apply but first-time mentors are more than welcome. We ask that you consider what makes you want to become a mentor and consider how you’d be able to best help a mentee and include these details in your application. We will provide an orientation for mentors and mentees at the start of the program, and the co-directors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. 

Q: I’d like to be a mentor but I would like to work on my own professional development as a mentee. Can I do both?

A: Absolutely. Many MM participants have provided mentorship to less experienced journalists while also being mentees themselves at the same time.  

Q: Are there any specific goals or outcomes for Mentor Match?

A: Goals and outcomes are usually unique to each mentor-mentee pair. Generally, mentors and mentees are encouraged to find out more about each others’ career history and current work, and how they can help or learn from each other.

Mentees are encouraged to come up with their own specific career-development goals for the year. These can be refined with your mentor during your first meeting or call.  

 Q: What is the time commitment for the Mentor Match program? 

A: Mentors and mentees commit to a one year mentoring period. Frequency of communication is mutually agreed upon at the beginning of the relationship. We ask mentors and mentees to at least consider a minimum of an hour once a month, especially in the beginning.

Q: Are mentors and mentees expected to meet in person? 

A: Once selected, mentors and mentees will establish how to best communicate early on, whether by phone, web meeting or text. Pairs who are able to meet in person may do so if both parties are in agreement and feel comfortable to do so following local COVID guidelines. No mentor or mentee should feel pressured to meet in person if they choose not to. Remote participation will be strongly encouraged for most mentor-mentees, particularly for pairs that are not in the same location. Any concerns or questions, please check in with a co-director.

Q: What happens after I apply to Mentor Match?

A: The team will vet through your applications and match mentors to mentees. Mentees will be asked to self-select their top choices of mentors once the final applications are received (aiming for end of February). Then the co-directors will work on these requests. 

Successful applicants will be notified and introduced to each other via email.

Following your pairing, there will be a group introductory call for all mentors and mentees, where we encourage anyone new to mentoring (either as a mentor or mentee) to join in and have a space to ask questions. 

Throughout the year, in addition to liaising with your mentor/mentee, you may also participate in optional monthly virtual conference calls on mentorship best practices and career development.

There is Mentor Match programming during the AAJA convention, which in past years has been either a panel or networking session. 

Q: How are mentors/mentees paired?

A: We use the applications to get to know the applicants. We will provide some of the information from the applications from mentors to inform mentees so they can request a particular mentor. We ask that mentees do their own additional research in order to figure out their priority selections. 

Q: What if I don’t like my mentor/mentee?

A: We ask that the mentor-mentee pairings get to know each other first before. If there is a conflict that comes up, please raise it with the co-directors for them to address confidentially and explore solutions. But we recognize these relationships also need to form organically – and sometimes not all work out. 

In extreme cases, we ask that both parties inform us if they want to end a pairing, and both mentor and mentee will have the option to see if they can be matched with someone else. However this will be dependent on resources and a subsequent pairing won’t be guaranteed.

Q: Can mentors and mentees in different countries be matched with each other? 

A: Yes, Mentor Match pairings vary on a case-by-case basis, but if we see best fit, mentors and mentees residing in different countries may be paired with each other. 

Q: Can we participate in the Mentor Match program more than one time? 

A: Yes, we highly encourage returning mentors to participate again and for any mentees to consider applying as a mentor after the first year. You can participate as both a mentor and a mentee. We give priority to mentees who have not participated in the program in the past or have been on a wait list in previous years.

Q: Can I have more than one mentee/mentor?

A: If you are applying to be a mentor and are open to having more than one mentee, you can indicate so in the application form and we will match you with your mentee(s) accordingly.

If you are a mentee, you will have only one mentor. 

Any further questions can be directed to AAJAMentorMatch@gmail.com or support@aaja.org.