Community
MentorMatch
SWANA MentorMatch is the perfect place to pair up experienced solid waste professionals willing to share their expertise with colleagues, young professionals, and students looking for guidance or information to help advance their careers in the solid waste management and recycling industry. This program allows both Mentors and Mentees to grow professionally and personally through each interaction with other SWANA members.
| Mentors | Mentees |
|---|---|
| Share your knowledge and expertise with others | Grow your network and knowledge base |
| Pay it forward | Strengthen your skills in the industry |
| Enhance your leadership skills | Feel more prepared for career advancement |
| Build lasting business and personal relationships with colleagues | Build lasting business and personal relationships with colleagues |
| Gain valuable resources and problem-solving techniques |
Take Your Career Development to the NEXT Level!
Step 1 — Enroll
When available, fill out the appropriate enrollment form to tell us more about your background so we can help you find the right match! * Must be a SWANA member to participate. Not a member? Join SWANA today!
Fall Session (2024 pending)
| Mentors Enroll Here (Anytime) | Mentees Enroll Here (to be determined) |
* Note: Sign in to your SWANA account to join the MentorMatch Community forum on the MySWANA website under the "Communities" tab at any time to connect with like-minded members and receive program updates in-between enrollment periods.
Step 2 - Search
Mentees can then search through the list of mentors (provided by SWANA) to select their match.
Step 3 - Connect
SWANA will then connect each mentee to their selected mentor for ongoing mentorship (including guidance from SWANA) for up to six months.
*Note: Participants will have the option to end the mentorship at any time or continue for up to six months before re-establishing another relationship with either the same person or another person during the next session period.
Questions?
Contact SWANA Membership at aowens@swana.org for further assistance.
MentorMatch FAQs
General Program Questions
Where can I meet with my Mentor?
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.
For Mentors
Where can I meet with my Mentor?
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.
For Mentees
Where can I meet with my Mentor?
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.
- Mentees
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Testimonials
Thank you for letting me be the first (mentor) for what I hope will be many MentorMatch small group webinars… Again, kudos to national for this program and the effort to promote the professionalism of our industry from A to Z by encouraging networking across the distances.– Deborah Barton - Retired District Manager for Solid Waste Special Service District #1, South Dakota
It is a great opportunity to get advice on some of the more difficult issues that you might be hesitant to ask a co-worker. The path for knowledge is unlimited. Try it!– Michael Greenberg - President GT Environmental, Inc.
My mentorship is immensely helpful to me on both a personal and professional level. I always look forward to our conversations. Thank you for offering this wonderful program!– Sheridan Boyle - Recycling Specialist City of Clearwater
I find this very rewarding and an excellent program.– Art Mercer - Supervisor of Landfill Operations Region of Halton in Canada
I’m so glad that I signed up for the mentor program. My mentor has been a great and offered some great advice on some projects that I’ve been working on.– Tiffany Dunn - Executive Director Saline County Regional Solid Waste Management District
Thank you so much for having this program. I have already found it rewarding and inspirational.– Kimberly Worthington, PE, LEED AP - Deputy Commissioner City of Chicago
The [solid waste] industry has provided a lot of opportunities for me and others and I feel an obligation to pass along information to the next generation.– David Adams - Principal/Senior VP Sanborn Head
MentorMatch is the best SWANA membership benefit. Whether you are a recent graduate or a tenured professional, everyone has something to gain through mentorship.
– Tiana Lightfoot Svendsen - Environmental Outreach, Garland Environmental Waste Services, Texas
It’s not about what you have to lose or not, it’s about the mentee that will miss out on your knowledge and experience in an industry that they are interested in.
– Barrett Jensen - Solid Waste Director of Mesa County Solid Waste Management
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