AIGA Upstate New York’s Spark program connects experienced professionals with new designers for valuable one-on-one mentoring relationships.
AIGA Upstate New York will provide guidelines for Learners (mentees) and Leaders (mentors) including how to establish goals for the collaboration and practical advice on activities/experiences to share. However, each mentoring partnership will be unique based on the goals of the Learner tempered by the Leader’s experience.
What’s in it for new designers? Spark gives you access to incredible insights and feedback from a design professional. Whether you’re interested in fine-tuning your portfolio, sharpening your interview skills or learning more about best practices, the Spark program can help ignite your career.
Learner Qualifications:
- AIGA member (student or contributing level)
- College senior or recent graduate (within the past 2 years)
- Must be committed to meeting with a Leader two times per month for two hours over the program timeframe
The benefit for seasoned designers is simple: You get to give back to the Upstate New York design community by helping a new designer prepare for their future. You can make a big difference by giving just a little bit of your time. Who knows…maybe you’ll find your next hire in the process.
Leader Qualifications:
- AIGA Members and Non-Members are welcome
- At least 5 years of professional design experience
- Must be committed to meeting with a Learner two times per month for two hours over the program timeframe
The 2020 Spark session will start mid-March 2020 through mid-June 2020. Applicants should be committed to meeting on a regular basis at a minimum of two hours, two times per month for a period of three months.
AIGA Upstate New York will provide guidelines for the mentoring relationship including how to establish goals for the collaboration and practical advice on activities/experiences to share. However, each mentoring partnership will be unique based on the goals of the Learner tempered by the Leader’s experience and the geographical distance between partners.
Please contact Spark Coordinator Emily Borst at spark@upstatenewyork.aiga.org today to learn how you can get involved in the Spark program.
