Peer Mentor Program

Some of the most successful communications professionals credit mentors for helping to guide their path. WCA’s Peer Mentor Program pairs you with other members who can assist you with any stage of your career. Mentors are available to listen and offer feedback based on their own professional and personal experiences. For those who volunteer to serve as mentors, this is a great way to develop leadership skills.

Women Communicators of Austin’s Peer Mentor Program is a “win-win.”

Mentees benefit from personalized guidance, whether through answers to quick questions, specific career guidance or longer term mentoring. Identifying peer mentors who can guide you for a limited period of time or for the longer haul can be the smartest way to advance professionally throughout your career. Our mentors also serve our student members by giving them a chance to tap into the advice, job search and networking guidance of a seasoned professional.

The program also gives members the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise and act as a “sounding board” by serving as a peer mentor to help other members with professional development and career advancement. WCA Peer Mentors gain a chance to build their leadership skills, along with the personal reward of potentially shaping someone’s path to success.

Have career questions or need deeper insights? See our Ask a Mentor blog.

Work with a Mentor

Whether you’re a student or already working, a stay-at-home parent choosing to go back to work in communications or wanting to change direction, students and professional members can be a mentee (i.e., request a peer mentor). Learn more with our Demystifying Mentorship for Mentees handout.

Ready for a mentor?
Meet the Mentors

Questions?– Email careers@wcaustin.org.

Be a Mentor

No matter your years of experience, role in communications, or familiarity with other fields, you can be a mentor. Mentoring can take place anywhere – whether it’s face-to-face over coffee, lunch or happy hour; video chat; or via email or phone. Professional members can mentor students or other professional members. Learn more with our Demystifying Mentorship for Mentors handout.

Ready to become a WCA Peer Mentor?
Fill out this form.

In addition to guiding me through some important decision-making, my mentor shared her philosophies on living a more fulfilling life and connected me to some really amazing professionals who would later help benefit my career. I also owe her for helping me find my calling: supporting the Girls Empowerment Network, an organization we both care about. I now sit on the nonprofit’s board! I am so thankful we have this group because it provides so much value to women of all ages. Everyone should have a mentor!

— Clarisa Ramirez, Digital & Social Media Lead, Austin Board of REALTORS®

How are WCA Peer Mentors different from my previous paid coaches? My WCA mentor is not looking for an opportunity to upsell her own stuff! In fact, she authentically enjoys facilitating my process and celebrates my successes. She suggests paths to take and teaches me without judgment. WCA Mentors are a smart and experienced group. The Mentor Program is a significant members-only benefit to further your career. It certainly has been a catalyst in mine.

–Reesa Woolf, PhD, Founder and CEO, Confident Speaking

I joined WCA when I decided to pivot back to communications after a stint in another role. The mentee program was a big part of that decision for me. The industry had changed so much, and I wasn’t sure where to start in my job search. My mentor helped me refine a resume full of experience into a concise, appealing summary of my capabilities, and she helped me define what I really wanted to do. After many months looking for a full-time job, I landed one after working with my mentor and I know what steps I can take next to find pursue my passion in the world.

— Jodi Gonzalez, Policy Editor, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

I chose a WCA mentor after attending a Careers Over Coffee meet-up. The group of women had great information to share and mentioned, “If you like this, you should talk to one of our mentors.” So I took the group’s advice. The conversation was deliberate yet caring at the same time. My mentor not only gave me sound career advice but help me discover the confidence I thought I had lost.

–Monique Carreon, Marketing Campaign Manager, ESO Solutions

Program Guidelines

What WCA’s Peer Mentors can do:

Speed mentoring.
Short term mentoring: Guidance on a specific topic requiring limited involvement – for instance, what subjects should a student take for a career in communications; where to intern; or assistance through a job application and interview process.
Longer term mentoring: students looking for on-going career guidance; professionals looking to brainstorm and implement career moves, discuss challenges at work, or find a sounding board for creative development.
Help mentees answer a series of questions to gain clarity on their talents, strengths, and career interests. This can be part of a short or long term mentoring arrangement.
Provide honest feedback about cover letters, portfolios, and other professional materials. This can be part of a short or long term mentoring arrangement.

What WCA Peer Mentors cannot do:

Provide professional-grade career coaching sessions. WCA has many qualified members who can provide that service.
Provide specific logistical assistance in starting or revamping a business venture.
Provide any kind of psychological input or feedback beyond a friendly ear and helpful suggestions based on their own professional experiences.

Meet the Mentors

Meet the more than 20 mentors who have generously volunteered their time to assist you. Once you have identified a mentor with whom you’d like to work, please complete the form below to request her; she will assist you subject to her availability. If she is unable to assist you at this time, we will ensure that you are matched. If you are not sure who would be suitable, you may leave the mentor field blank and we’ll match you with a mentor we believe will fit your needs. Feedback is welcome! If you have comments or need support with your mentor relationship, please contact careers@wcaustin.org.

Meet All Mentors

Request a Mentor

Amy Hufford

Owner, Stellar Communications - Amy helps small businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations look their best online through award-winning web site design and email marketing campaigns. Before launching Stellar Communications in 2000, Amy was director...

Peer Mentor Program

Work with a Mentor

Be a Mentor

Program Guidelines

Meet the Mentors

Ask a Mentor Blog