AHP Student Mentoring Program

Overview | Students | Mentors

Overview

The AHP Mentoring Program is designed to provide students with insight into a career in the equine publishing industry through interaction with AHP professionals. Over the long term, the goals of the Mentoring Program are: 1) to cultivate the interest of students in careers in the equine publishing industry, and 2) to prepare students for such careers through the receipt of industry knowledge and encouragement from AHP member mentors.

The AHP Mentoring Program is open to all AHP student and professional members.
 

How the program works

AHP student members and AHP professional members enroll in the mentoring program by completing the appropriate enrollment form. Students are matched with an AHP professional member who works within the student’s primary area of interest. Efforts are made to place the student with a mentor in similar geographic areas for ease of communication, face-to-face meetings and activities. The mentor-student match may be expanded if the experience sought cannot be found regionally or happens to be within a niche of the industry with a limited number of professionals available.

The mentoring program enrollment period begins with the start of the school year and continues to the end of the school year or until the student elects to terminate communication. AHP Student Members who are in their senior year may sign up for the Student Mentoring program within one year after graduation.

For college juniors and senior students, the mentoring program may consist of up to two mentors so that juniors and seniors can gain the benefit of more than one AHP professional’s experiences. The mentors would be available to critique the student’s resume and portfolio, help the student prepare for job interviews either by conducting a mock interview or providing typical questions and responses for interviews, assist the student with job search, and help the student to seek out experiences that could enhance his or her employment opportunities. Activities planned between the mentor and student are up to the individual mentor and student as their schedules permit, but should include a shadowing day and/or tour of the mentor’s organization, mock job interview, and complete resume and portfolio critique.

For high school students and college freshman and sophomores, the mentoring program will consist of one mentor per student and will assist students with general advice on career opportunities in equine publishing, suggestions for courses of study to achieve their career goals, and guidance to programs and activities for their developing a resume.

A post-program evaluation survey has been developed so that professionals and students can critique the program to determine areas for improvement and further development.

Professional Mentor Guidelines & Responsibilities

• Be available to answer questions.

• Tell your student about things you wish you had known when you were starting out. Consider brainstorming a list of these.

• Communicate with student at least on a quarterly basis by phone, e-mail or other means. Initiate discussion if you do not hear from your student within a month.

• Let your student know about times that will be particularly busy for you (monthly press times, deadlines, etc.).

• Share stories about how you got to be where you are.

• Discuss classes you found helpful.

• Encourage your student to work toward publishing pieces before graduation.

• Review resources for career-building/job seeking.

• Offer honest critiques of your student's materials. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth.

• Discuss current industry happenings. Stress the importance of being knowledgeable in your field.

• Discuss career opportunities in the equine publication industry.

Additional guidelines for mentoring College Juniors and Seniors

• Invite your student out for informal sessions outside the office. Take the time to get to know them.

• Critique the student’s resume and cover letter.

• Provide guidance in the interview process and assist the student either through a mock interview or provision of potential questions.

• Discuss how to effectively network.

• Don’t try to hide some of the realities of working life in order to “advertise” the job or the industry. Be honest and realistic.

• If geographic location permits, arrange for the student to visit the mentor’s place of employment. This might include a tour, shadowing day or other activity to become more familiar with the mentor’s work environment.

• Provide the student with additional assistance in developing or enhancing a portfolio.

• Evaluate new talent as potential hires.

• Have fun with the mentoring experience! Realize the satisfaction of helping someone with his or her career.

Student Guidelines & Responsibilities

• Talk with your mentor about specific things you’d like to learn.

• Realize that the mentor is donating valuable time to assist you. Be respectful of his or her deadlines, travel or work schedules.

• Discuss your career goals in the equine publication industry.

• Brainstorm a list of questions you’d like to ask your mentor.

• Communicate with your mentor(s) at least on a quarterly basis by e-mail or phone. Communication should be initiated by the student, and it is the student’s responsibility to maintain continued communication.

• Engage your mentor in discussions about your career goals and how to attain them.

• Don’t be shy. If you have a question, ask it.

• Be open to your mentor’s advice.

• As a current student, please consider serving as a mentor in the future, once you establish your professional career.

A Checklist for College Juniors and Seniors

• Provide mentor(s) with your resume, cover letter and/or portfolio.

• If geographic location permits, request an appointment to visit the mentor’s place of employment. This might include a tour, shadowing day or other activity to become more familiar with the mentor’s work environment. Do not show up without an appointment.

• Request assistance in preparation for job interviews, either through a mock interview or provision of potential questions.

• Maximize career options and make contacts in the equine industry.

• Students are encouraged but not required to attend the AHP Annual Seminar, which can allow further contact and interaction.

For more information, contact:
Christine W. Brune, Executive Director
49 Spinnaker Circle
South Daytona, FL 32119
386-760-7743
ahorsepubs@aol.com