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Program Overview

The PRSA Philly Mentor–Mentee Pilot Program is a structured, semester-based mentorship initiative designed to connect three levels of communications professionals—senior leaders, early-career practitioners, and emerging talent—into small cohorts. The program is intended to strengthen professional development and create a clear on-ramp into PRSA membership for students and early professionals. This pilot will run over a 4–5 month “semester” with recurring cohort meetings. Email president@philly.org if you'd like to learn more about PRSA Philly's Mentor-Mentee Program.

Program Goals

  • Foster meaningful, multi-directional mentorship relationships
  • Support students and early-career professionals with career readiness and industry exposure
  • Provide senior leaders with a structured way to give back and stay connected to emerging talent
  • Create a membership funnel from PRSSA → PRSA Philly
  • Increase engagement and retention across career stages within PRSA Philly

Cohort Structure

Each cohort will include three participants, representing different career stages:

  • Senior Professional (VP-level or above, or equivalent)
  • Provides strategic guidance, industry perspective, and leadership mentorship
  • Serves as a connector to broader professional networks
  • Early-Career Professional (Entry- to Mid-Level)
  • Bridges student and senior perspectives
  • Offers near-peer mentorship, tactical advice, and career navigation insights
  • Student / Recent Graduate
  • Actively exploring career paths in communications, PR, or marketing
  • Gains exposure, guidance, and professional connections

Pilot Program Scope

  • Pilot Size: 3 cohorts (9 total participants)
  • Student Recruitment: In partnership with the local PRSSA chapter at Temple University 
  • Student Criteria:
  • Active PRSSA involvement
  • Demonstrated interest in public relations or communications careers
  • Commitment to full-semester participation
  • Early-Career Professional Criteria:
  • 3–7 years of professional experience in a communications-related field 
  • Interest in offering near-peer mentorship to students while also learning from senior leadership
  • Commitment to attending monthly meetings and maintaining communication between sessions
  • Engagement in PRSA Philly programming
  • Senior Professional Criteria:
  • 10+ years of experience in public relations, communications, or marketing 
  • Interest in providing strategic guidance and mentorship
  • Commitment to attending monthly meetings and maintaining communication between sessions
  • Willingness to share industry knowledge, career experiences, and professional networks

Program Timeline & Commitment

  • Program Length: ~4 months (aligned with an academic semester)
  • Meeting Cadence:
  • 1 meeting per month (hybrid)
  • Each cohort should plan for one to two in-person meetings during the semester to deepen relationships and strengthen cohort cohesion
  • Informal check-ins between meetings (virtual) 
  • Cohorts should maintain light communication between monthly meetings to build rapport and offer real-time support.
  • This may include brief check-ins, sharing resources, or coordinating topics for the next session.
  • Time Commitment:
  • ~60 minutes per meeting
  • Light preparation guided by optional discussion prompts

Suggested Monthly Meeting Talking Points

Month 1: Introductions & Career Paths

  • Professional backgrounds and career journeys
  • What each participant hopes to gain from the program
  • Defining success for the semester (personal and group goals)
  • PR Case Discussion: Review a recent PR win or failure and discuss what worked, what didn’t, and lessons learned

Month 2: Career Exploration & Skill Development

  • Career paths within PR, communications, and marketing
  • Agency vs. in-house vs. nonprofit vs. corporate roles
  • Core skills needed at different career stages
  • Translating classroom or early job experience into real-world value
  • PR Case Discussion: Analyze a public PR moment and explore how strategy and execution impacted outcomes

Month 3: Personal Brand & Professional Visibility

  • Networking best practices (events, LinkedIn, informational interviews)
  • Building a personal brand and professional reputation
  • PR Case Discussion: Examine how reputation, messaging, or visibility played a role in a real-world PR outcome

Month 4: Career Readiness & Growth 

  • Resume and portfolio feedback
  • Interview preparation 
  • First-job expectations and early-career challenges
  • PR Case Discussion: Discuss a PR scenario through the lens of decision-making, feedback, and professional growth

Month 5: Long-Term Career Planning & PRSA Engagement

  • Long-term career trajectories and leadership development
  • Continued involvement with PRSA Philly and PRSSA
  • PR Case Discussion: Reflect on a PR win or failure and how long-term strategy, ethics, or leadership influenced results