Mentoring is one of the most rewarding things you can do as an experienced professional. If you’re looking at ways to give back some of your knowledge and insights then sign up and become a mentor. (image source: http://www.stilettosontheglassceiling.com)

Let’s admit it. While we work in an exciting region which is full of challenges and opportunities for those in the communications sector, there’s few opportunities as a communications professional to give something back, to help the industry develop for the better.

As a result of the need to both promote the industry but also to give young nationals, university students and those who are new to the profession a taste of what we do, the Middle East Public Relations Association has set up a mentorship programme. The aim is simple; we need want to give others the opportunity to learn about public relations as it is practiced by experienced professionals in the region.

MEPRA has already launched the programme and has begun promoting it to both potential mentors and mentees. Through a detailed questionnaire, MEPRA’s mentorship committee will pair each mentor with a mentee who will benefit from their years of experience.

The demands on your time are not excessive (MEPRA estimates that mentors/mentees will meet approximately once a month to discuss issues such as career planning, skills development and other issues). But the impact of a good mentor can literally last a lifetime.

Mentors can help young people set career goals and start taking steps to realize them. They can also use their personal contacts to help young people meet industry professionals, find internships and locate job possibilities. In a region and industry which are still maturing, mentoring may be the best means to promote our industry to a new generation who are finding their way into a career.

If you want to make a difference, then sign up to be a mentor now. It may be one of the most rewarding things you can do as a Gulf-based professional to shape our industry for the better.

Details are available here on MEPRA’s website.