Benefits of Joining WMPRSA’s Mentor Match Program
Over the past two academic years, I have had the pleasure of participating in the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America’s (WMPRSA) Mentor Match Program where I connected with three incredible mentors. Here’s everything you need to know about the program and how it can help you on your journey as a young professional.
What is the WMPRSA Mentor Match Program?
As the local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the WMPRSA serves professionals in the West Michigan area and members of the Grand Valley Public Relations Student Society of America (GVPRSSA) networking and professional development opportunities and resources. One of these opportunities is the Mentor Match Program.
As a PRSSA National member, you have the chance to be matched with a PR pro that you will meet once a month during the semester, equaling four meetings together during this time. These meetings can take place either in-person or virtually depending on what works best for you and your mentor’s schedules.
To get matched with your mentor, you simply fill out a digital form where you note what professional fields you’re interested in, what you want to get out of the program, and more information about your interests. Then, when you’re matched, you are provided with a conversation guide that gives topics and ideas for your meetings. You can also talk with your mentor about whatever you feel you need help or advice with.
Another important note about the program is that it takes place during the fall/winter, spring, and summer semesters, giving you plenty of opportunities to participate. This allows you to connect with at least three different professionals throughout the year!
How It’s Helped Me
From my time participating in the program, I have learned so much about myself and what it’s like being a PR professional post-graduation. One area that the program helped immensely in was learning how to talk and network with professionals. Before the Mentor Match Program, the only professionals I had ever really connected with were my professors and my boss at work. The program helped me get out of my comfort zone and connect with other professionals that I did not have these familiar relationships with. Talking with various professionals also helped me expand my industry knowledge and gave me insight into the different types of work I can do as a professional.
Another area that my mentors helped with was interview preparation and internship guidance. With each of my mentors, I have had them review my current resumes and provide me tips on how to write engaging and relevant cover letters. Having these professional tips and opinions on what it takes to write good career documents has helped me with the creation process.
Similar to this, my mentors have provided me guidance with interviews for internships, regarding what to look for and what questions to ask these potential employers. I’ve even sent my mentor's job postings and asked what types of things I should be asking or just for their general advice and opinions about the positions and the companies. Having that professional resource readily available is very helpful.
Takeaways
As you are considering joining the Mentor Match program, carry these final thoughts and considerations with you:
Mentors are there to help. Your mentor wants to help you in any way they can. Come to your meetings prepared with questions and topics you want to discuss to get as much out of the meetings.
Learn about industries you might have yet to consider. Each of my mentors have worked in different industries, ranging from non-profit to healthcare to technology. This gives me insight into industries that I had not previously considered working in.
Work on your professional development. I gained so much knowledge about creating resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation from my mentors. This has greatly helped expand my professional skills.
Expand your professional network. Participating in the program allows you to grow your network with not only your mentors, but also other professionals that they are connected with, either through LinkedIn, other digital means, or face-to-face. Don’t miss out on this beneficial opportunity.
Click here to learn more about the WMPRSA Mentor Match Program and participate in the upcoming semester.
Morgen Head is a senior studying Advertising and Public Relations with an emphasis in PR and a minor in Writing. She is the Committee Chair for GVPRSSA’s DEI committee, a role she is serving throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on walks, reading, and watching her favorite TV shows. She has worked at GVSU’s Laker Store as a Marketing Associate since May of 2022 and has other internship experience with Gordon Food Service where she worked as their InnoServ Marketing Intern for a summer. After graduation, she hopes to find a career in the education field or in-house for an organization doing PR, Marketing, and Communication work