WAPA MENTORING PROGRAM

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The WAPA Mentoring Program is designed for those who need career advice, who may be baffled by the complicated Washington, DC, job market, or who just need to discuss life pathway opportunities presented by professional anthropology.

WAPA has a number of professional and practicing anthropologists who want to share their experience with those encountering the Washington job market--for the first time or the tenth time. These anthropologists have acquired knowledge and insights about a range of topics that may not have been part of your education in anthropology. Things like:

• What kinds of jobs are there for people with anthropology backgrounds?
• How do I find these jobs?
• How should I present myself in the job market?
• How have others made the transition into the job market?
• How do I get a potential employer to talk to me?
• What can a resume do for me?
• What does a non-academic resume look like?
• What should I find out in the job interview?
• How do I set up and use informational interviews?
• How do I decide how much I should get paid?
• How do I negotiate salary? Benefits?

A mentor can help answer to these and other questions. They can discuss your thinking about what you would like to do, help define concrete steps along which to proceed, perhaps help you identify contacts, and provide moral support when you need it.

Although many mentors are themselves employers of practicing anthropologists, mentoring is not a job interview. You should not expect your mentor to give you or find you a job. But he or she can certainly help you find it yourself.

Who can use the WAPA Mentoring Program?

Lots of people.

• Undergraduate anthropology majors trying to make career decisions about jobs or graduate school--decisions that are vulnerable to questions like "Anthropology? What will you do with that?"
• Graduate students trying to define professional interests and skill sets, or just to find a job.
• Anthropologists a few years out of graduate school who would like to change what they are doing and aren't quite sure how to go about it.
• Anyone else who feels a mentor would be of assistance.

You must be a WAPA member to use this service. But it is a sound investment. WAPA dues are only $25 for professionals and $15 for students and unemployed. And, in addition to the Mentoring Program, you have access to an extensive professional network.

What do I do?

It's really easy!

If you are a WAPA member, contact the WAPA membership chair or the mentorinc chair for a directory of members. Select three members who you think would be the most appropriate mentor. Download the application form (linked below). You can either complete a version of the form electronically and submit it via e-mail (preferred method), or print the form and mail it to WAPA.

You will receive a confirmation note from the program coordinator, letting you know that your form has been received. The coordinator will forward the application form to your top mentor candidate. If that person is unable to mentor you at that time, the second candidate will be contacted, and so on.

Once the mentor is confirmed, you will both receive an introductory message. From that point it is up to you and your mentor to arrange an initial meeting, and then a subsequent series of contacts (e-mail, phone, lunch, etc.). It is expected that these contacts will occur at least monthly for the first six months. After that, both parties can discuss a continuation or conclusion of the mentorship. Both will also be asked to complete an evaluation, in order to provide important feedback to WAPA on the Mentoring Program.

If either party is unhappy with the course of the mentorship, the program coordinator should be contacted.

Please take a moment to review the Expectations for Mentor and Mentee list. Then choose a mentor and get with the Mentorship Program!

last update 03-19-06