NextGen Mentorship Program
Overview:
Launched in 2021, the NextGen Mentorship Program is a yearly recurring program designed to support rising Asian American Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian (AANHPI) leaders in the marketing, advertising, and creative industries. This initiative aims to bridge the gap for this often underrepresented group by providing targeted mentorship and learning opportunities.
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2024 NextGen Program:
We are thrilled to announce the call for applicants for the 2024-2025 NextGen Mentorship Program, presented in partnership with Asians in Advertising (AIA) and the Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF).
Program Objectives:
Empowerment: Equip emerging AAPINH leaders with the tools and guidance to excel in their careers.
Connection: Facilitate meaningful connections between industry professionals and upcoming talent, fostering mutual learning and insights into the next generation of consumer advocates.
Program Structure
Mentor-Mentee Matching: Participants will be paired with mentors and meet monthly over six months.
Themed Discussions: Each month, the steering committee sets a specific theme or topic to guide the discussions, promoting mutual learning and long-term relationship building.
Activities: The program includes virtual and in-person activities, such as a monthly speaker series, workshops, and happy hours.
Benefits
Networking: Opportunities to connect with other program participants from across the country.
Exclusive Access: Meet & greet events with AIA and 3AF board members, early access, and discounts to workshops and panels.
Industry Resources: Access to valuable industry resources and professional development opportunities.
Join us in shaping the future of the advertising and creative industries by empowering the next generation of AAPINH leaders. Apply now to be a part of this transformative experience.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: July 1 - 31, 2024
ACCEPTED APPLICANTS NOTIFIED: by Aug 31, 2024
APPLICANTS PAIRED & PROGRAM STARTS: September 2024
2023 PROGRAM RECAP
Throughout the six-month program, participants engaged in monthly virtual one-on-ones, workshops, and panels, culminating in in-person mixers that fostered community and collaboration.
We extend heartfelt thanks to Landon Nguyen, Suzie Bao, Natalie Gatbonton, Clara Luo, Jessalin Lam, Bernice Chao, Jay Kim, Dan Matthews, Paula Cuerquis, and Elliot Lum for their invaluable contributions in shaping the program’s early stages. Their dedication has been instrumental in making this initiative a resounding success.
TESTIMONIALS
“Love the program. It's great to have a community of Asian Americans and to see how willing people are to help each other, and it's cool to see the diverse positions Asian Americans have and to hear their stories! Great program,!” - Mentee
“The NextGen Mentorship was transformative for me. I appreciated the time and thoughtfulness of their pairing. My mentor and I had so many similarities in experience and values. After each session, I feel confident about how to be a better manager and navigate the workplace. She made me realize that I am accountable for paving the way for the next generation of Asian leaders. THANK YOU.” – Mentee
“This was my first year volunteering for NextGen; I am impressed by the efforts of this group to continue to champion the voice of Asian consumers. The marketing and advertising world is fast changing, and we live in unprecedented times; I encourage the broader Asian marketing community to lean in and support the 3AF mission. This is the go-to team making a difference and having fun!” – Mentor
What Does the Mentor and Mentee Relationship Look Like
MENTEES:
Mentee Qualifications:
<5 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, advertising (career pivoters are welcome!)
Dedicated & committed to making the most of your time with your mentor
Want to work on specific action item
Willing to bring new perspective
Please note that due to constraints, we will not be taking any current undergraduate students. The program is meant for those currently in the industry.
MENTEE COMMITMENTS
Mentees will be responsible for following up & setting up meetings with Mentors, confirming schedules, etc.
1 x Monthly Meeting w/ Mentors
1 x Monthly Meeting for workshops, speakers & happy hours
1 x Orientation Meeting w/ 3AF
Available during Sep 2024 - Mar 2025
MENTORS:
Mentor Qualifications:
10+ years of industry experience
Dedicated & committed to spending time with your Mentees
Openness to open your network to help Mentees
Share your personal journey & help mentees shape theirs
MENTOR COMMITMENTS
1 x Monthly Meeting w/ Mentee
1 x Orientation Meeting w/ 3AF
Available from Sep 2024 - Mar 2025
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I can’t join this time, but would like to be considered for the future – is that possible? Absolutely! Please email us at AsianAdNextGen@gmail.com to be added to our contact list for future opportunities.
How strict are the monthly obligations for mentors & mentees? If I miss a session, will that be okay? The commitment level is flexible and determined by the mentor and mentee. We understand that life happens, so it’s perfectly fine if you need to miss or reschedule sessions. We just ask that both parties communicate openly and address any issues that arise.
Will there be opportunities to meet in person or virtually with other mentors, mentees, or likewise? Yes! We plan to host some in-person events throughout the year and activate smaller cohorts for more frequent meetings, both online and offline. Participants often arrange their own meet-ups at conferences and other events, which we highly encourage.
How many people will you be accepting this time around? The number of participants will be adjusted based on the level of interest from both mentees and mentors.
How do I become a Mentor? We would LOVE to have you as a mentor! We are looking for industry professionals with knowledge to share and a passion to teach. Please email us at AsianAdNextGen@gmail.com with "Mentor" in the subject line.
Questions? Please email us at AsianAdNextGen@gmail.com.