Mentorship Program
The NYC UXPA Mentorship Program pairs individuals who are looking to break into the field of UX, design, research, and strategy with mentors that have experience in that field.
Mentors are offered a free annual NYC UXPA membership, which includes discounts to our selection of regular educational and networking events, and the opportunity to network closely with their UX leadership peers across a variety of industries. Help shape the next generation of UX professionals.
Mentees are matched to mentors based on overlapping interests, goals, and experiences; the duo is then encouraged to build a close professional, mutually beneficial, relationship over a period of time.
Applications for the 2021 Mentorship Program open 11/19/2020.
NYC UPXA mentors and mentees at a UX skills and development event. Hosted by Mastercard.
2021 Program Timeline
Mentees need to have a NYC UXPA membership to apply. Mentors get a free NYC UXPA membership with their mentoring. Want to learn more? Check out the FAQ, or send us an email.
11/19/2020
Applications Open
12/12/2020
Applications Close
12/20/2020
Matching Announced
01/14/2021
Orientation Event
04/2021
Closing Celebration
05/2021
Next Mentorship Cohort
Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
As a mentor you have an opportunity to share knowledge and experience while giving back to the UX community. You will not only develop and practice a more personal style of leadership, but also enhance your skills in coaching, counseling, and active listening.
Who can become a mentor?
Do you like helping others?
Do you have a UX/Design related job?
Can you spare at least 5-6 hours per month over 6 months?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, congratulations! You’ve got everything it takes to mentor someone in our program.
Even if you’re a junior practitioner, you can use your experience and help someone get their first job in the UX field.
Are you worried that you don’t have time to volunteer? Past mentees have said that over the course of the program just a few meetings with their mentor—or a few email exchanges—made a huge impact on helping them achieve their career goals.
Maybe you need some self-improvement too? As you teach others the skills that advanced your career, you’ll reinforce those same skills in yourself. Also, your experience as a mentor will be invaluable for any current or future management role.
We welcome mentors at all levels in their career.
Want to learn more? Check out the FAQ, or send us an email.
Interested in Becoming a Mentee?
As a mentee, you will gain a sharper focus on the skills needed to grow professionally. From career development opportunities, to assistance with ideas, and feedback on projects and portfolios, as a mentee, you’ll gain invaluable UX skills.
Who can become a mentee?
Do you need help with your resume and portfolio?
Do you want to learn skills to advance your UX career?
Are you looking for your first UX job?
Whether you’re looking for your first job in the field, switching specialties, aiming for a management role, or just need some career feedback, we can help. To apply, you will need to be an annual NYC UXPA member (student pricing is available).
As a mentee, you will work with your mentor to identify goals, build skills, and achieve success. We expect the mentees to be serious, committed, and respect their mentor’s time.
As long as you have clear goals in mind, and can dedicate 4 months to working one-on-one with a mentor to achieve your goals, you can be a successful member of our program.
Want to learn more? Check out the FAQ, or send us an email.
General FAQs
Why are you providing a mentorship program for NYC UXPA members?
Our goals
To give motivated NYC UXPA members more opportunities to take part in the UX community.
To provide social interaction and professional development opportunities for members, regardless of experience.
To offer help to our less-experienced members looking for UX guidance and practical experience.
To help experienced members further hone their leadership and other professional skills.
How does the program work once I have a match?
This is a four-month program from January 2021 to April 2021. Both mentors and mentees should consider how they can maximize their experience, by creating a plan or setting milestones along the way.
Orientation
Mentors and mentees meet virtually during an online orientation in January 2021, giving participants an opportunity to get to know one another before making their final decisions about the program. Orientation details will be announced at a later date.
Ongoing Program Activities
Mentors and mentees will determine their own meeting schedules. We don't have any formal requirements, but we suggest touching base at least once a month.
We'll also have a Slack channel for group communications, sharing the following:
Resources (e.g. articles, local events)
Job postings
General knowledge or discussion
Is it possible to be a Mentor and a Mentee at the same time?
In theory, yes. In reality, the demand for mentors far outweighs the supply. A potential mentor is much easier to match with a mentee than the reverse, based on numbers alone. For example, in 2018, the mentor:mentee application ratio was 1:7.
Must I be a member of the NYC UXPA to apply for this program?
You don't have to be a member at the time you submit your application. But because the program is only for NYC UXPA members, you must sign up for an NYC UXPA membership before orientation if you're accepted into the program. (Note: Mentors will be gifted a year of NYC UXPA Membership upon attending orientation).
What if I have a question that's not answered here?
You can email the Mentorship Program Coordinators at mentorship@nycuxpa.org.
Mentor FAQs
What are the qualifications for becoming a mentor?
You have spent your professional time practicing UX design, research, and/or strategy, or other related disciplines in the UX field.You have the desire to help others, in this case, by giving your mentee's career momentum. You want to challenge yourself, and further develop your leadership and other professional skills. Even if you've just landed your first job in UX, you can still be a mentor. Your experience and insights will be valuable for someone who's still trying to break in. Additionally, you will grow and learn from your experience as a mentor. We will find a mentee for you!
What are my obligations if I take part?
Attend Program Orientation in January 2021. Mentors and mentees meet virtually at an online orientation. The exact date and details will be informed at a later time.
Join the NYC UXPA Slack channel. Our private Slack channel is the main way we'll communicate as a group. This includes the sharing of articles, local events, job postings, general knowledge, and more. You will receive a Slack invitation shortly before orientation. Beyond these, it will be up to you and your mentee to shape your participation and experience in the program. If your mentee is shy, try starting small. Ask them to meet for virtual coffee, to attend the same upcoming NYC UXPA event, or just send them an interesting article. We find that each mentor/mentee pair has a unique dynamic, based on the mentee's goals.
What do you recommend I do with my mentee as part of this four-month program?
Keep your mentee's goals in mind, and guide them further in the right direction. For example, suggest books, websites or events of interest to your mentee.
Share your perspective on a wide range of topics. These might include: networking identifying opportunities innovation hiring practices your work experience company structure managing client relationships workflow tools of the trade productivity impact of your work offering support and encouragement when appropriate
We don't recommend: Doing your mentee's work for them. Giving your mentee grunt work. Giving your mentee feedback that may interfere with their professional workflow or workplace politics. Sharing sensitive information from your own practice.
What will I get from participating in this program?
Besides giving back and contributing to the UX community, benefits include:
One year membership to NYC UXPA (including early registration and discounted rates for NYC UXPA events).
Opportunities to meet and interact with other mentors and mentees from all areas of UX.
Chances to further hone your leadership skills. For example, you'll have opportunities to lead discussions or presentations at our future meetups.
How am I matched to a mentee?
We do our best to find a matching mentee based on information in your application. The application will ask for your interests, experience, location, availability, communication preferences, and more. By May 6, 2019, we will let you know who we think would benefit most from your experience and interests.Once you and your mentor approve the match, we'll introduce you via email by May 10th 2019.
What if things don't work out with this program?
Sometimes it's not a perfect match... Or sometimes, life happens and you need to cut back on your commitments. But we're here to help. Email us at mentorship@nycuxpa.org, and we'll help you figure out the best solution.
Mentee FAQs
What qualifies me to become a mentee?
You are an NYC UXPA member. (Note: you don't have to be a member at the time you submit your application, but you will have to become an NYC UXPA member if you're accepted.) You have specific career goals that need help from a more experienced UX professional. You're ready to make the most of your opportunity over the course of the entire four-month program.
Past mentees we've accepted into the program include:
Recent graduates, UX students, or non-UX professionals, transitioning into to UX.
UX professionals in one area of UX who want to transition to another (e.g. from UX design to UX research).
UX professionals moving into leadership or senior roles in their workplace.
How can I get the most out of having a mentor?
Be clear about what your goals are going into the program. Your goals will drive your experience throughout the program. Make it easier for your mentor to help you.
Prepare an agenda with specific topics for your meetings or discussions with your mentor.
Suggested topics for discussion include:
networking
identifying opportunities
innovation hiring practices
work experience
company structure
client relationships
workflow
tools of the trade
productivity
impact of their work
It's up to you what questions you ask.
This program has few official requirements — so it is what you make of it. The only requirements are: attending the online orientation and joining the Slack channel. After that, you shouldn't rely on your mentor or the program coordinators to make a plan for you. The mentees who have gotten the most value out of this program are the ones who take the initiative.
Take responsibility for fostering the relationship with your mentor. Mentors have applied to this program because they want to help you further your goals. But mentors are not mind readers and are often busy (a side effect of advancing in this field). You, the mentee, are responsible for keeping the lines of communication open.
Respect your mentor's boundaries. Many mentors are often forthcoming and candid about their work. But your mentor is not required to share sensitive or private information with you.
What are my obligations if I take part?
Attend Program Orientation in January 2021. Mentors and mentees meet virtually at orientation. The exact date and details will be informed at a later time.
Join the NYC UPXA Slack channel. Our private Slack channel is the main way we'll communicate as a group. This includes the sharing of articles, local events, job postings, general knowledge, and more. You will receive a Slack invitation shortly before orientation. Just like in school, your success will depend on how much you take advantage of this opportunity. Take some time to establish your goals, so your mentor knows what you're hoping to achieve. The four months will go faster than you think! We find that each mentor/mentee pair has their own unique dynamic based on the mentee's goals.
What will I get out of participating in the program?
Personalized attention and feedback from an experienced UX professional. The chance to develop professional relationships by meeting other mentors/mentees at the optional meetups.
How am I matched to a mentor?
The only information we have to match you with a suitable mentor is what you provide on your application. The more detail and personality you can provide, the better your chances are of being matched. For instance, one word answers to open-ended questions won't give us much to work with to try to find you a match.
Matching criteria include your interests, experience, location, availability to meet, communication preferences, and more.
By May 6, 2019 we'll let you know which mentor, if any, matches your experience and interests. Once you and your mentor approve the match, we'll introduce you via email by May 10, 2019.
What if things don't work out with this program?
Sometimes it's not a perfect match... Or sometimes, life happens and you need to cut back on your commitments. But we're here to help. Email us at mentorship@nycuxpa.org, and we'll help you figure out the best solution.
What if I don't get matched in this cycle?
Remember that for every cycle, the demand for mentors far outweighs the supply. If we can't find a match, that's by no means just a reflection of your qualifications.
We will keep your application on file and notify you about upcoming cycles. In the next cycle, you'll be able to make updates to your application, rather than start from scratch.
Keep your head up, and keep exploring other ways to develop your UX skills!
NYC UXPA Mentorship Program is proudly sponsored by Mastercard and Bloomberg.
