Learn to Practice Anthropology from the Professionals

WAPA's Mentoring Program is a benefit of membership. If you are a member of WAPA, please log in and visit Join the Mentoring Program to complete and submit the application form. If you are not currently a WAPA member, you can join now and become eligible to participate immediately.  Once you submit your application,  Mentoring Program Chair Priscilla Linn will follow up to move things forward.

What is the WAPA Mentoring Program? 

The three-part WAPA Mentoring Program is designed for those who need career advice, or who just need to discuss the opportunities provided by a career in professional anthropology. WAPA tries to match a mentor and mentee as closely as possible, although we cannot guarantee that a mentor will be available to meet your specific career criteria.

There are three phases, with three different anthropologists, to provide a well-rounded perspective: 

• An initial "instant mentoring" session to clarify needs and interests
• A one-hour career counseling session (students only)
• A four-month mentoring relationship with a WAPA mentor

How does it work?

• The mentee completes an application on this website, and names their three preferred mentors, in order.
• The mentor program coordinator sends the application to the instant mentor and the career counselor (for students), who reach out to set up initial sessions.
• The mentor program coordinator confirms the mentor, and contacts the mentor and mentee.
• At their first meeting, the mentor and mentee review and sign an agreement that includes the dates for their next three monthly meetings.
• The two parties meet at least four times, and then complete an evaluation. The mentor and mentee can mutually determine if they wish to continue meeting.

A WAPA mentor can help you:

• Clarify your thinking about what you would like to do;
• Define concrete steps along which to proceed to develop your desired career path;
• Discuss how to develop a professional network; and
• Answer any other questions you may have about anthropology as a profession.
  

Who uses the WAPA Mentoring Program?

• Undergraduate anthropology majors making decisions about graduate school or finding relevant jobs.
• Graduate students trying to define professional interests and skill sets, or just find a job.
• Anthropologists who would like to change career directions but are not quite sure how to proceed.
• Anyone who feels he or she would benefit from guidance from a professional anthropologist.

Mentoring applicants are encouraged to review the useful NAPA Mentoring FAQs found at: https://practicinganthropology.org/mentoring-career/mentoring-faq/. These FAQs address nearly 60 basic mentoring questions.