The 10 best mentorship programs in the U.S. for post-grads

Dating back to 2014, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Getaway Program provides mentorship to underrepresented individuals within the theater industry. Through one-on-one mentoring, folks can speak candidly about their goals while taking advantage of career development opportunities. In addition to attending a conference with the financial support of USITT, program participants will have access to the organization’s extensive network of industry professionals. The goal? To build meaningful, long-lasting relationships so that mentees feel empowered and prepared for their careers.

The New York Foundation for the Arts Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program pairs immigrant artists with like-minded mentors. These established individuals are on hand to provide one-on-one support. Through access to other artists and professionals, mentees will be able to forge connections in the industry, ultimately helping them develop a stronger sense of individuality and a deeper appreciation for the arts community as a whole. Since its 2007 inception, the program—which is completely free—has served over 450 immigrants from 76 countries.

Queer|Art|Mentorship connects emerging and established LGBTQ+ artists in the fields of film, literature, performance and visual art. To apply, one must submit a specific project they’d like to work on for the duration of the program. Participants will also meet with mentors along the way to discuss their progress, shape their creativity and partake in professional development opportunities. Post-grads across the U.S. can apply for the Queer|Art|Mentorship, as both remote and in-person participation options are available.

The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)’s New York Chapter offers a robust, hands-on mentorship program that includes traditional one-on-one mentoring, networking opportunities and an online community platform that’s chock-full of resources. Mentors and mentees are hand-paired according to each individual’s needs and interests. Both the mentor and mentee have access to select AIGA NY events, as well as its vast network of professionals. Mentors and mentees are expected to have at least one monthly meeting for at least six months. Keep in mind that, while the organization is open to remote participants, priority is given to those in the New York area.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (or IAAPA for short) aims to serve and support this incredibly cool—albeit ultra-niche—industry’s next generation of leaders and changemakers. Mentees will be paired with industry vets so that they can gain invaluable insight that will ultimately help them thrive. As part of the year-long program, mentees and mentors will connect every quarter. Additionally, it’s worth noting that all mentees 1) be a member of IAAPA and 2) must be under 35 years of age.

The American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) is a professional organization for writers, editors, photographers, art directors, and other editorial leaders. Early-career digital and print journalists can—and should—join ASME NEXT, which hosts an array of networking events, book clubs, and seminars throughout the course of the year. The program also offers a Senior Mentor Program, in which ASME NEXT members are matched with a senior journalist mentor based on shared interests. ASME asks mentors to work with their mentees for two years to develop a working relationship while sharing job-hunting tips, career insight, and feedback to help them succeed in the workplace.

Run by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP), BECOME (Building Early Career Opportunities via Mentoring Experiences) program pairs early-career member mentees with mid- to late-career social/personality psychologists from the SPSP community. Mentees will virtually meet with their mentors three times per year, one-on-one, and three times per year in a small group format so that they can connect with other like-minded individuals. The group of mentees will also meet virtually three times per year, with each session focusing on a specific issue, challenge or scenario. In order to partake in the program, applicants must have received their Ph.D. within the past six years.

Women in Tech’s The Next Level Up™ Mentorship Program aims to help participants—about 20 per year—build and establish their network while providing invaluable career insight. Moreover, this four-month-long mentorship is ideal for those looking to grow their careers with the support of senior-level women in tech. In addition to mentee-mentor meetings (ideally around once per month), the program consists of panel discussions and, of course, networking opportunities.

Intel is a massive company, so it comes as no surprise that they offer a plethora of networking and career development programming. The company’s DRIVE Program is ideal for those looking to gain experience within the tech space—while learning about the company’s Network Edge and Datacenter and AI business units. DRIVE also provides college graduates access to mentors, and a dedicated team who is on hand to provide guidance and networking opportunities. Participants go through three, seven-month rotation assignments prior to receiving their final placement.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) describes itself as “the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology.” The organization’s robust Mentor Network affords mentees the opportunity to search and select from an array of mentors. From there, they can easily book a virtual conversation to meet with their mentor. This private networking group is only available for SWE members; however, the organization is free to join.