CPI Mentor Program

Registration

Mentors and mentees are paired for one-on-one conversations, with the flexibility to make the experience what works best for you. There is no set agenda or required curriculum, pairs can focus on career questions, professional growth, skill-building, navigating challenges, sharing ideas, or simply getting to know another professional in the field.

Registration for Spring 2027 is now open and applications are due by August 18, 2026!

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Program Dates & Details:
September 2026–March 2027
* Virtual Welcome: Meet committee members and your partner on Friday, September 4 at10:30 a.m.
* Mid-Session Check-In: Committee leads will host a virtual check-in in November 2026 or January 2027 for feedback and reflection.
* Final Session: Committee leads will host a virtual wrap-up session in March 2027.
* Mentor/Mentee Check-Ins: Pairs will schedule their own meetings throughout the program based on their availability and preferences.

Mentees: Bring your questions, goals, and curiosity and take the lead in conversations with your mentor.
Mentors: You don’t need decades of experience to be a valuable mentor. The experiences, lessons, and knowledge you’ve gained along the way may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

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“I loved that my mentor and I work close enough that we could meet in person some times! We got ice cream for our first meeting and lunch for our last. I was also able to tour her office/university, which was awesome! Our time was spent mostly talking about my own personal career development, which was super helpful for the space I’m in. I was also able to learn a ton learning about her role, the challenges she faces, and how her university is structured.”

_{Spring 2024 Mentee}

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Questions? Contact cpi@iowa-cpi.org OR CPI Mentor Program Committee

FAQs

Who can participate?

Any member of Career Professionals of Iowa can participate. If you are unsure about your membership status, please view our member institutions or email cpi@iowa-cpi.org.

Who qualifies as a mentee or mentor?

Mentees can be in any stage of their professional journey. Mentors should have 4+ years of experience in career services.

Can I be a mentee and a mentor?

Yes! To be a mentee and a mentor, please select the “Both mentor and mentee” option in your registration form.

Can I participate in one session or would I need to commit to both sessions?

There are two mentoring sessions each year: January-April and September-December. You can participate in one or both mentoring sessions. Registering for the CPI Mentor Program will commit you to one four-month mentoring session; new mentor/mentee matches will be created for each session.

How are mentors/mentees matched?

The CPI Mentor Program Committee matches mentors and mentees based on the information provided in the registration surveys.

How big of a commitment is this?

For the CPI Mentor Program, mentors and mentees are expected to meet for one hour, once per month during their four-month mentoring session (January-April and September-December).

How will I meet with my mentor/mentee?

It is your preference how you and your mentor/mentee meet, but we recommend video calls on the platform of your choice.

What will we talk about?

Mentees are responsible for leading the one-on-one meetings. Participants may follow the CPI Mentor Program Guide (topic and question suggestions) or choose their own conversation topics.

I have more time in the summer. Are there any summer mentoring options?

The CPI Mentor Program is not available in the summer, but May-August, CPI facilitates P2P NET, a virtual networking program where new one-to-one matches are released monthly.