MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
At Technologists for the Public Good (TPG), we aim to power and lift up the people who are reimagining how the government serves the public, harnessing the power of technology. We believe in building a vibrant community of individuals dedicated to transforming public service to deliver better outcomes to the public. With more than 1,700 members, TPG provides a platform for public good technologists to unite, share, and learn from one another.
From January to May of 2024, we held a pilot Public Interest Tech Mentorship Program. Our program goals were to facilitate meaningful connections and knowledge-sharing opportunities for early-career public interest technologists or those who've joined the field in the last three years, and to help them navigate the public service technology landscape.
A recap of the pilot:
29 mentor-mentee were matched
90% of participants who provided feedback on their experience rated it positively (4+ out of 5), and called out specific supportive elements related to job searching, understanding the field, and developing skills.
Multiple participants received jobs within the public interest technology field during the process of the program.
Areas for improvement: Program scheduling, resource sharing, and communication channels.
We're excited to offer this same one-on-one mentorship matching again later in 2024 with improvements from these lessons learned. We’re also growing other mentorship program offerings, exploring group learning circles for bringing together small sets of mid- to late-career members.
BENEFITS
For Mentees:
Gain valuable insights and guidance from experienced mentors
Expand your network and connect with like-minded individuals
Develop your skills and advance your career in public interest technology
Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and trends
Enhance your problem-solving and critical thinking skills
Build confidence and self-belief in your abilities
Increase your chances of success in your chosen field
For Mentors:
Share your knowledge and expertise with the next generation of public interest technologists
Make a lasting impact on the lives of others
Expand your network and connect with emerging talent
Stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends
Enhance your mentoring skills
Receive recognition for your contributions to the TPG community
Gain a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
For Mentees:
Early Career or Transitioning: Mentees should be early career or professionals who've joined the field in less than 3 years of experience in the public interest technology field.
Time Commitment: Mentees are expected to dedicate a minimum of 2-4 hours per month to mentorship activities, including meetings and communication with their mentors.
Commitment to Learning: Mentees are expected to actively seek opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge, demonstrating a strong commitment to learning and professional growth.
Clear Goals: Mentees are encouraged to have specific career or skill development goals that they are eager to work toward with the guidance of a mentor.
Open Communication: Mentees should be open to communication and feedback from their mentors, actively participating in mentorship activities and maintaining regular contact.
Respect and Professionalism: Mentees are required to approach the mentorship relationship with respect and professionalism, maintaining confidentiality and adhering to program guidelines (aka TPG’s Code of Conduct).
TPG Membership: Mentees must be members of Technologists for the Public Good to participate in the program.
For Mentors:
Experience: Mentors should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in the public interest technology sector or a related field.
Time Commitment: Mentors are expected to dedicate a minimum of 2-4 hours per month to mentorship activities, including meetings and communication with their mentees.
Guidance and Support: Mentors must actively provide guidance and support to their mentees in achieving their career and skill development goals.
Respect and Professionalism: Mentors are required to maintain professionalism in all interactions with mentees, respecting confidentiality and adhering to program guidelines (aka TPG’s Code of Conduct).
Goal-Oriented Approach: Mentors should assist their mentees in setting clear goals, developing plans, and monitoring progress toward achieving those goals. Mentors should demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and personal development within the public interest technology sector.
TPG Membership: Mentors do not need to be members of Technologists for the Public Good to participate, but it is encouraged.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our early 2024 pilot mentorship program.
Mentors
Luigi Ray-Montañez
Kara Reinsel
Jordan Bass
Nicole Neditch
Anicia Santos
Pat Sier
Zach Goldstein
Shashank Khandelwal
Andrew Therriault
Abigail Fisher
Alla Seiffert
Sara Hall
Keith Fuchser
Jessica Weeden
Beth Martin
Angelica Quicksey
Krista Canellakis
Risa Goodman
Cris Concepcion
Marissa Rosemblat
Michael Wilkening
Song Hia
James O'Brien
Dan Hon
Mark Hopson
Robbie Holmes
Mark Lerner
Ryan M Harrison
Ali Aayat
Mentees
Pablo Gomez-Echegaray
Teri Perona
Mars Ikeda
Mischa Downing
Mwohania Taylor
Vince Egalla
Dharini Ramaswamy
Hailey Hoyat
Apoorva Shetty
Lily Sutton
Michelle Ly
JingJing Zeng
Austin Wiggins
Jenny Wang
Bianca Frazer
Marie G. Prado
Colette Basiliere
Anthony Lu
Isabel Bernhard
Shannon Hong
Eder Hernandez
Damanjot Chatha
Carolyn Ruvkun
Samira Kamal
Joel Yong
J Shelly
Srija Chakraborty
Ethan Black
Pearl Zhang