How is This Different Than An Internship?

Internships are focused on learning through working for a company. This program doesn't involve projects, tasks or industry work. It's an informal one-on-one AdPro to Student mentor system.

Become a Mentor:

Being a mentor can be rewarding and it also gives you a chance to meet fresh young talent entering the industry. To become a mentor, visit www.spokaneadfed.com and answer a few questions about yourself and your role in your company. We ask that you have at least two years experience in the advertising / design industry to become a mentor.

Your First Sync:

• It is encouraged that the first meeting take place at the Mentor's workplace and include a tour.
• Ask students to share why they are in the design program and what excites them about design.
• Ask students to explain their strengths and areas they would like to improve.
• Ask students to share what kind of job they would like when graduating (web, print, illustration, production art, etc).
• Mentors should give some background on themselves including their job role, where they graduated, other industry related jobs they've had, etc.
• Mentors should be prepared to give advice.
• Mentors should help set up obtainable goals on how to get the dream job and how to improve their work according to what the student would like to accomplish with their career.
  (e.g. If student wants to improve typography create goals to improve typography and steps to achieve those goals.)
• Setup the place and time of your next meeting. It is the mentor's responsibility to schedule the meetings.
  

Each additional Sync:

• Discuss the student's current school projects. Sharing samples with the mentor is encouraged.
  
• Discuss current challenges student faces
• Mentors should answer questions and tell stories to give a better idea about the advertising world.
  
• Check in to see how the student is progressing in achieving their educational goals set up in first meeting.

Advice for Mentors:

• Don't be negative or critical. Stay upbeat and give constructive advice on how to improve your student's skills.
• Invite your student to events where they might have networking opportunities. Is your office having a party? Invite them to come. If you plan on going  on a press check, it's also okay to invite them to those. It's not required, but small things like this can really benefit a student.
  
• Make sure at the end of next meeting to schedule your next one.
• Things come up, but please be respectful of your student's time. Try and give plenty of notice if you can't make your appointment time make sure to plan a new time to make it up.