Are you a seasoned professional looking to help grow the next generation of great California Communicators or a young professional thirsting to learn more? If so, the CAPIO mentoring program can help you gain advanced knowledge and expand your network by pairing you with an experienced professional from within the state.  

“Studies have shown that mentoring is one of the most valuable and effective professional development opportunities.  Having the guidance and encouragement of a mentor can shape your career for years to come,” said CAPIO’s Education and Development Chair Rachel McGuire, APR. This will be the third year of the program and past participants have developed lasting professional relationships. But don’t take it from us here are some of their testimonials:

“I have found tremendous value in seeking counsel from a professional who can offer perspective on challenges I may face, and this program jumpstarted that relationship for me.  Regardless of the career stage you are in, connecting with someone in the industry who can offer advice is always important, and I’ve been fortunate through this program to be connected with an expert who can offer that advice.” – Thomas W. Reeves, City of Modesto Community and Media Relations Officer 

“CAPIO’s mentoring program provides an opportunity for like-minded participants, in different stages of their career growth, to be connected and support one another. Being a mentor can bring as much value to the individual as it does for the mentee. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to support my mentee over the past year and look forward to continuing the relationship into the future.”  – Liselle Regueiro DeGrave, APR, President DeGrave Communications, Inc. 

“As a mentor, I got the opportunity to relate more of my experiences with that of another peer in my region and learn from them as well. It has been a clear reminder that we all have more similarities than differences when it comes to challenges we face at work and tough topics to communicate to our constituents. I felt reminded and supported too knowing we have fabulous professionals up and down the state doing the hard work!” – Amy Williams, City of Sacramento Chief of Staff to the City Manager

Our mentee pool is nearly filled, but we are in need of CAPIO Mentors! Applications for mentoring or being a mentee close March 13. The official program will begin April 1, 2020 and run through March 31, 2021.  

Mentors and mentees will have an opportunity to meet at CAPIO’s 2020 Annual conference in Santa Barbara, April 19-23, and will have 4 additional opportunities to meet over the course of the next year, in person, or by phone or video chat.

For more details on how the program works and to apply, visit CAPIO’s mentoring page.

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