Mentorship Program
SMPS Arizona – 2026 Mentorship Program
Program Overview
The 2026 SMPS mentorship program will have a small-group structure, with 1-2 mentors assigned to groups of up to 5 mentees, depending on the number of registered individuals per cohort. Each cohort will have a program length of six months, providing ample time to get to know one another.
Mentorship groups are expected to meet monthly and will receive monthly prompts for discussion to initiate conversations. However, the time and date of each monthly meeting is at the discretion of individual groups and mentors. The program will also include two cohort events, providing a greater networking opportunity and opportunities for reflection on the mentorship program.
The program's goal is to provide individuals with a small, trusted group to solicit feedback and advice from. This can include anything from bouncing creative ideas around to overall career and industry guidance.
Participants
Who is a mentee?
Anyone, at any experience level, looking for networking and mentorship opportunities from a variety of different professionals. All mentees would be expected to commit to the duration of the program and are strongly encouraged to attend at least one of the two cohort events.
Can I be a mentor?
For mentors, we are looking for individuals in the AEC industry or adjacent to it with 5+ years of experience. This person is someone who would be willing to facilitate meaningful conversations and can share experiences with both technical (proposal development, meeting facilitation, writing, layout, etc.) and soft skills (leadership, communication, time management, etc.). They would be expected to commit to the duration of the program and attend at least one of the two cohort events.
Cost/Registration
Mentee registration costs
Member: $125 (early bird) / $175
Non-Member: $175 (early bird) / $225
Early Bird pricing closes Jan 30, 2026
Mentor Cost
The only cost would be your time!
Please get in touch with Kayla Ruyle, Director of Education, with any questions. [email protected]
Registration closes February 13, 2026
Meeting Frequency/Expectations
- Monthly meetings for six months, 1 hour minimum for each meeting
- Meetings can be virtual or in-person, but this is ultimately up to each group (in-person preferred where possible)
- Prompts will be provided to help guide conversation, but discussion is open to anything and everything the group is interested in!
2026 Timeline
- Mentor Kickoff Call – 30 mins (Tentatively – week of February 23, 2026)
- Cohort Kickoff Call – 30 mins (Tentatively – week of March 2026)
- Monthly Mentorship Meetings (March through August 2026)
- Two all-cohort events:
- Mid-cohort networking (Tentatively – May 2026)
- End of program celebration (Tentatively – August 2026)
Questions?
Email [email protected]
