MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Become an effective leader and advance your career through the AAPA Mentorship Program!
Receive the latest AAPA Updates!
Sign Up Now
About the Mentorship Program
Mentorship
Through one-on-one mentorship with an AAPA volunteer mentor, learn the strategies to advance your career and elevate your potential. |
Skills
Learn key management, communication, branding, and soft skills for advancement through the management ranks. |
Leadership
Practice and apply the skills that you learn in the classroom, and take on leadership roles to show you are an exemplary and effective leader. |
The AAPA Mentorship Program develops mentees into more capable leaders. These mentees are better equipped to deliver more added-value, provide diverse perspectives, and bring greater talent to their companies and organizations.
Benefits
-
Mentorship
-
AAPA Idea Talks
-
*New* Uplift Program
-
Workshops
-
Networking
-
Gala
<
>
The goal of the AAPA formal mentor matching program is to establish an effective and results-oriented mentoring relationship between mentors and mentees.
Mentees benefit from one-on-one mentoring with an experienced, knowledgeable and trusted AAPA Mentor. The mentor and mentee will establish specific and achievable goal(s) and an action plan related to goal setting, career development, career changes, professional development, etc. The official duration of the mentoring relationship is the current calendar year.
In addition, while the mentee is paired with one mentor for the duration of the year, the mentee is also free to speak to any of the AAPA mentors at any events throughout the year.
Mentees benefit from one-on-one mentoring with an experienced, knowledgeable and trusted AAPA Mentor. The mentor and mentee will establish specific and achievable goal(s) and an action plan related to goal setting, career development, career changes, professional development, etc. The official duration of the mentoring relationship is the current calendar year.
In addition, while the mentee is paired with one mentor for the duration of the year, the mentee is also free to speak to any of the AAPA mentors at any events throughout the year.
Due to the pandemic, we quickly had to pivot our program from in-person to a virtual platform. IdeaTalks are virtual sessions with our community partners to provide you timely and thoughtful programming that address your concerns and uncertainty during these trying times. (All times are in PST)
AAPA partnered with Southern California Edison and five other API nonprofits in May 2020 to launch a recruiting program of bilingual contact center employees targeting the API underserved community. We recruited 67 applicants and 35 of them attended the AAPA resume writing and digital interview workshops in preparation for the hiring process.
This year we are expanding the program to include the SoCal Gas Company. The Asian languages that are hired for their Part-Time Customer Service Representative Bilingual positions are Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese.
With this new program, we hope to be the conduit between the community and local companies. At the same time professionally develop each individual’s careers.
Event Dates:
This year we are expanding the program to include the SoCal Gas Company. The Asian languages that are hired for their Part-Time Customer Service Representative Bilingual positions are Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese.
With this new program, we hope to be the conduit between the community and local companies. At the same time professionally develop each individual’s careers.
Event Dates:
- Customer Service “Career” Day | Webinar
- Resume Building Workshop
- Digital Interview Workshop
Three Workshops per year
Learn key leadership and management skills to excel and advance your career! AAPA Mentors will share their knowledge and experiences on various leadership and management topics in small group settings. Workshops are held three times per year as part of the AAPA Mentorship Program.
Topics may include:
Learn key leadership and management skills to excel and advance your career! AAPA Mentors will share their knowledge and experiences on various leadership and management topics in small group settings. Workshops are held three times per year as part of the AAPA Mentorship Program.
Topics may include:
- Effective Communication
- DEI 101 For Leaders
- Cultivating Your Network
- Assertiveness: Find Your Voice
- Leadership Styles Matter
- Salary Negotiations
- Team Culture
- Personal Branding
- Your Next Career Move
As a mentee, you have the opportunity to meet and connect with mentors, speakers, donors, corporate leaders, community leaders, alumni and peers. The AAPA network continues to expand each year.
Enjoy an end-of-year graduation gala and banquet. Mentees who have completed their track requirements are eligible to graduate and will receive a completion certificate.
Mentorship Program Events:
(in-person events contingent upon local public health orders and venue policies)
Virtual IdeaTalks (recommended to attend 3 events):
- INFORMATIONAL SESSION(S) – February, 2023 | Virtual
- MENTOR/MENTEE ORIENTATION | Saturday, March 25, 2023 - 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST | Virtual
- WORKSHOP#1 | Saturday, April 29, 2023 -1 pm PST / 4 pm EST | TBD
- WORKSHOP#2 | Saturday, June 3, 2023 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST | TBD
- WORKSHOP#3 | Saturday, July 29, 2023 - 1 pm PST / 4 pm EST | TBD
Virtual IdeaTalks (recommended to attend 3 events):
- IdeaTalks - Thursday 4/6/23 at 5 pm
- IdeaTalks - Thursday 5/4/23 at 5 pm
- IdeaTalks - Saturday 5/25/23 at 1 pm
- IdeaTalks - Thursday 6/29/23 at 5 pm
- IdeaTalks - Thursday 7/13/23 at 5 pm
- IdeaTalks - Thursday 8/10/23 at 5 pm
- IdeaTalks - Thursday 8/24/23 at 5 pm
- IdeaTalks - Thursday 9/14/23 at 5 pm
- IdeaTalks - Thursday 9/28/23 at 5 pm
Mentorship Program FAQs
Who? What? When? Where?
- WHO: Open to professionals at junior, mid, and advanced career levels who seek career mobility and inclusion in management and leadership pipelines.
- Everyone is encouraged to apply.
- AAPA will not discriminate due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin and veteran or disability status.
- WHAT: A 12-month program that provides diverse professionals with one-on-one mentoring and leadership training, and networking opportunities for career advancement.
- WHEN: Program runs from January to December each year
- WHERE: Events will be held at Rosemead and Pasadena, CA
What are the application deadlines and program fees?
- The application period is open November to January each year.
When do Mentorship Program events occur?
(any in person events are contingent upon local public health orders and venue policies)
- January/February: Introductory Session, virtual or Downtown Los Angeles
- March: Orientation Day, virtual or San Gabriel Valley/Downtown Los Angeles
- April: Workshop #1, virtual or San Gabriel Valley/Downtown Los Angeles
- May/June: Workshop #2: virtual or San Gabriel Valley/Downtown Los Angeles
- June/July/August: IdeaTalks Virtual Sessions and Networking Mixers, virtual or San Gabriel Valley/Downtown Los Angeles
- September: Workshop #3, virtual or San Gabriel Valley/Downtown Los Angeles
- October: Annual Gala, virtual or San Gabriel Valley/Downtown Los Angeles
- December: Graduation Celebration, virtual or San Gabriel Valley/Downtown Los Angeles
Do you have any tips for applying?
- IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS: Understand what you want to get out of the program. Developing clear goals and objectives at the beginning will set you up for greater success. We also encourage each of you to share your professional development goals and initiatives with your manager. Take the opportunity to share how your professional development and growth will benefit the company. Your manager may even consider sponsoring your AAPA training.
- DO YOUR RESEARCH: Conduct your research on the program, attend a few events, talk to mentors, mentees, and alumni, and review the mentor bios.
- APPLY: Be as detailed and specific as possible in your application. Mentors want to know that you are committed to developing yourself, committed to the mentoring relationship, and if accepted, that you will be committed to making the most out of the program.
- PARTICIPATE IN A Q&A SESSION: Speak to an AAPA Mentor and have the opportunity to share your purpose, potential, and provide examples. You will be asked questions related to the following: 1) your capacity to learn from your own mistakes and apply lessons to the future, 2) your capacity to think strategically from an organizational perspective, especially when dealing with complex situations, and 3) your commitment and motivation to actively manage and plan your career, stretch yourself, and seek out opportunities.
[By the end of January, we will notify all candidates of admission decisions for the program. Payment will be due within two to three weeks after.]
What is the mentor matching process?
- Mentees review mentors’ bios on the AAPA website and/or meet the mentors at the February Introductory Session and Orientation Day.
- During a one-week period in February, you will be prompted to select your top three Mentor preferences through the AAPA member portal.
- Mentees submit their request for their top three mentor preferences. The mentees’ first mentor preference will be given a matching priority. If the mentee does not indicate any preferences, a mentor will be assigned.
- The mentors will also review the mentees’ applications and resumes, and confirm their mentee preferences.
- Mentees will be matched with a mentor based on goals, interests, industry preference, mentors’ background, experience, and availability.
What happens after I am matched with a Mentor?
- Mentees initiate the one-on-one partnership by contacting their mentor to schedule their first meeting (as well as ongoing meetings).
- Mentor and mentee pairs should meet at least once every month or every two months to share goal progress and other coaching activities.
- The mentor and mentee pair will discuss and negotiate a schedule for meetings that are convenient to both parties, as well as jointly set goals for the year.
- At the end of the program year, the mentor and mentee pair should complete an assessment of the goals, action plan, accomplishments, relationship, and the mentor matching program.
What does it take to developing an effective mentoring relationship?
A successful relationship requires proactive efforts on the part of the mentee and mentor. Finding a mentor is only the beginning. This guide will be a starting block to develop an effective mentee and mentor relationship.
The goal of the AAPA formal mentor matching program is to establish an effective and results-oriented one-on-one mentoring relationship between mentors and mentees. This program is voluntary. The matched mentee and mentor will establish specific and achievable goal(s) and an action plan on goal setting, career development, etc. The mentee and mentor should meet regularly to work on achieving these goals.
At the end of the program year, the mentee and mentor pair should evaluate the accomplishments and the mentoring relationship. The official duration of the mentoring relationship is the current calendar year. It is up to the mentor and the mentee to extend the duration beyond the official time period. While the mentee is paired with one mentor for the duration of the year, the mentee is also free to speak to any of the AAPA mentors at any events throughout the year.
The goal of the AAPA formal mentor matching program is to establish an effective and results-oriented one-on-one mentoring relationship between mentors and mentees. This program is voluntary. The matched mentee and mentor will establish specific and achievable goal(s) and an action plan on goal setting, career development, etc. The mentee and mentor should meet regularly to work on achieving these goals.
At the end of the program year, the mentee and mentor pair should evaluate the accomplishments and the mentoring relationship. The official duration of the mentoring relationship is the current calendar year. It is up to the mentor and the mentee to extend the duration beyond the official time period. While the mentee is paired with one mentor for the duration of the year, the mentee is also free to speak to any of the AAPA mentors at any events throughout the year.
How do I make the most of my mentee experience?
As a mentee:
- You are the achiever willing to take the initiative for your own development and make the most of available learning opportunities.
- You are the “gauge” to measure how interactive and successful your mentoring experience will be.
- You decide upon the amount of help and guidance you need.
- You identify the skills and competencies you wish to gain and assume the initiative to ask for the help or guidance to achieve your goals.
- You are responsible for devoting your time to the mentoring relationship with on-going interaction with your mentor.
- Mentoring is a journey mentors and mentees embark on together and both have a responsibility to create a committed, mutually beneficial relationship.
- You and your mentor will help each other arrive at a common destination to achieve professional excellence.
- A mentor and mentee form an interactive relationship that starts with building basic elements of understanding and trust. As the relationship continues, it involves establishing purposes and goals.
What are the roles and responsibilities of a Mentee?
To graduate from the AAPA Mentorship Program (and receive your completion certificate), you will need to fulfill the following program requirements:
- One-On-One Mentoring: Regularly participate in One-on-One Mentoring, meet and connect with your mentor at a minimum of once every quarter. We highly encourage all mentees to meet and connect with their mentors once every month or every two months to provide updates and feedback, and develop the mentoring relationship.
- Event Attendance: Attend two out of three IdeaTalks AND two out of three Workshops. However, we highly encourage mentees to participate in all the IdeaTalks AND Workshops, as well as additional mentoring and networking activities, as they provide valuable career advancement strategies and skills.
- Volunteer: Apply your leadership skills as an AAPA Volunteer. Help lead a minimum of two (2) AAPA events, which may include the Introductory Session, IdeaTalks #1-3, Workshops #1-3 or join an events planning committee.
AAPA not only provided the knowledge to be successful in Corporate America, but also provided a wide platform of mentors for us to ask questions in a safe zone. The AAPA staff and mentors have put in their heart, time and effort in making the learning experience as comprehensive as possible.
Kit San Lai
AAPA Alumnus/LA Department of Water and Power/2017 AAPA Mentee
Kit San Lai
AAPA Alumnus/LA Department of Water and Power/2017 AAPA Mentee