MentorMatch

The SWANA MentorMatch program offers both long-term and short-term opportunities for experienced solid waste professionals willing to share their expertise (Mentors) to connect with colleagues, young professionals, and students (Mentees) looking for career guidance in the solid waste management and recycling industry.

For long-term mentorships (up to six months), follow the steps above to Enroll, Search, and Connect. Mentee enrollment will be available twice a year in February and September for the current session in which 10-20 matches will be made per session. Sessions will run from March to August in the Spring and October to March in the Fall. Mentors can enroll in the program at anytime to be added to the Mentor Directory for mentees to search through during enrollment periods.

MentorMatch is a benefit of your SWANA membership and is available only to members. There is no extra charge to use this resource.

Yes, SWANA will offer one-time mentorship opportunities (outside of Fall and Spring) for those looking for short-term interactions. Possible programming will include:

• Speed Mentoring Events: Fun, informal networking/mentoring event for mentees to rotate between rooms to meet and chat with a series of experienced professionals on career topics.
• Small Group Webinars: Allows individual mentors to have one-time Q&A sessions with a group of mentees (five or six) using the SWANA online webinar platform.
• MentorMatch Community Forum on MySWANA: Available year-round for members interested in connecting with like-minded members and receiving MentorMatch updates from SWANA. Simply sign in to your SWANA account to join the MentorMatch Community forum on MySWANA under the “Communities” tab.

While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, we recommend that you be judicious in selecting only Mentees who are most suited to learn from your expertise and experience.

If the mentoring relationship has already started, but isn't working out, please kindly discuss your decision to end the relationship with your Mentee and notify SWANA. Other than that, all matches have up to 6 months to complete their mentorships before they automatically end in our system.

To be removed from the Mentor Directory for future matches, email aowens@swana.org.

Just about anyone with an interest in sharing their experiences in the field can be a mentor. Some more specific Mentor requirements after you’re matched include:

• Filling out your MySWANA community profile with information about yourself
• Responding to follow-up inquiries from SWANA staff
• Completing the initial discovery call checklist with your mentee
• Committing to focused conversations with your mentee (recommend one hour each month)
• Providing insight, knowledge, and understanding in an educational manner to benefit the mentee's professional growth
• Committing to each mentee for the agreed upon length of the mentorship (no more than six months)

We recommend that you and your Mentees agree on a schedule that works best for both of you. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship.

Keep in mind that mentoring doesn't necessarily require large amounts of your time. Even brief phone calls or e-mail exchanges with you can make a big difference to your Mentees. The annual meeting also offers a convenient venue for getting together with your Mentees over coffee or lunch.

You will receive an e-mail from SWANA with the Mentee’s request for you as their Mentor. At that time, you will be instructed to respond to SWANA with your acceptance or rejection of the request by a set deadline.

The Mentees are tasked with leading the relationship. All you have to do is share your experiences and expertise in common growth areas within your field such as: Leading/Managing/Motivating, Networking/Relationship-building, Time/Organization, Branding/Marketing, Productivity/Profitability, Strategic Planning/Developing, Work/Life Balance, Technical Skills, Communication, Collaboration, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution, and Problem Solving.

SWANA will also check in to provide you and your Mentee with tools and guidance along the way.

We expect that you will fulfill your commitment to accept at least one mentoring request when received. We also expect you to respond to initial requests from Mentees in a timely manner, and that you communicate with your Mentees as agreed upon by both you and your Mentees.

All Mentors are volunteers. As an active program participant, you will receive a ribbon in your online MySWANA profile identifying you as a Mentor. Personally, mentors also receive the chance to:

• Share your knowledge and expertise with others
• Pay it forward
• Enhance your leadership skills
• Build lasting business and personal relationships with colleagues

Mentees are other members who need you to help support their careers. They’re typically students, young professionals, and fellow colleagues with interest in areas such as:

• Collection & Transfer (including HHW)
• Communication, Education & Marketing
• Composting and Organics Management
• Landfill Gas & Biogas
• Landfill Management
• Management
• Planning & Management
• Safety
• Sustainable Materials (i.e. recycling, resource mgmt., zero waste, HHW)
• SWANA Leadership
• Waste to Energy

Mentees can only work with one mentor per session (Spring or Fall), but can participate in as many sessions as needed.

You and your Mentor will show as matched in our system from March – August in the Spring or October – March in the Fall. During this time, SWANA will provide you and your Mentor with monthly guidance for your mentorship; however, we recommend that you and your Mentor agree on a schedule that works best for both of you.

The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship.

Mentee enrollment is available twice a year in the Spring and Fall. Mentees will need to re-enroll for each session they intend to participate in when made available. Due to the limited number of mentees (10 per session), please avoid enrolling if your schedule or commitment abilities will keep you from fully participating from March – August in the Spring or October – March in the Fall.

Sometimes, regardless of the information provided, Mentors and Mentees don't always “fit.” If this happens, we suggest that you discuss your decision honestly and kindly with your Mentor; thank them for their time then notify SWANA to be re-matched in the next session.

It is up to you and your Mentor to decide how, when and where you want to pursue your mentoring relationship. It is likely that most of your communication will occur by phone or electronically. The annual meeting offers a great opportunity to meet in person.

Mentors are other members who have volunteered their time to support other members' careers. They’re typically fellow colleagues and/or SWANA leaders with experience in areas such as:

• Collection & Transfer (including HHW)
• Communication, Education & Marketing
• Composting and Organics Management
• Landfill Gas & Biogas
• Landfill Management
• Management
• Planning & Management
• Safety
• Sustainable Materials (i.e. recycling, resource mgmt., zero waste, HHW)
• SWANA Leadership
• Waste to Energy