Connecting Today’s Leaders with Tomorrow’s. Building a Community That Helps Each Other Grow.
The PDA Midwest Chapter is excited to launch the PDA Midwest Mentorship Program, a new initiative designed to connect students, Early Career Professionals (ECPs), and experienced industry professionals through one-on-one mentoring and chapter-led professional development opportunities.
At the heart of the program is a simple idea: we all have something to learn from one another. Whether you are looking for guidance as you begin or grow your career, or you are an experienced professional interested in sharing your knowledge and experiences, mentorship creates an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, learn from one another, and strengthen our PDA Midwest community.
How the Program Works
Mentors and mentees will complete an application and be matched based on professional interests, career goals, technical disciplines, experiences, and other areas they may have in common.
Once matched, mentors and mentees will receive a roadmap to help guide the start of their mentoring relationship, including resources and suggested topics to help make those first conversations meaningful. From there, each pair will have the flexibility to build the relationship in a way that works best for them and allows them to grow naturally over time.
Mentorship is most valuable when both people are engaged and committed. We ask participants to prioritize the program, make time to connect, and take an active role in building the relationship. What each mentorship becomes will be unique, but it starts with both people showing up and investing in the connection.
In addition to one-on-one mentoring, PDA Midwest will host quarterly professional development and networking sessions for program participants, creating additional opportunities to learn, connect, share experiences, and grow together.
Become a Mentor
Your experience can make a difference.
We are looking for industry professionals who are interested in sharing their experiences, supporting students and Early Career Professionals, and building meaningful connections within our community.
As a mentor, you will have the opportunity to:
- Share your professional experiences and lessons learned
- Provide guidance, perspective, and encouragement
- Support students and ECPs as they navigate the industry
- Build new relationships within the PDA Midwest community
- Give back by helping others learn and grow
You do not need to have all the answers to be a great mentor. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can offer is your experience, your perspective, an introduction, or simply the willingness to listen.
Become a Mentee
Make a new connection and learn from someone who has been there.
Whether you are a student preparing to enter the industry or an Early Career Professional navigating the next stage of your journey, having someone to talk with, ask questions, and learn from can make a meaningful difference.
As a mentee, you will have the opportunity to:
- Connect one-on-one with an experienced industry professional
- Learn from someone else’s experiences and perspective
- Discuss your goals, questions, and professional interests
- Explore different roles, technical areas, and opportunities within the industry
- Expand your network and become more connected within the PDA community
Most importantly, the program is an opportunity to build a genuine relationship with someone in our industry and become part of a community that supports one another.
Applications Are Now Open
Join us as we bring together students, ECPs, and experienced professionals to learn from one another, share experiences, make new connections, and continue building a strong PDA Midwest community.
Application Deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026
Program Kickoff: November 2026
Questions about the PDA Midwest Mentorship Program?
Contact: Renee Morley – 919-397-9189, rmorley@contecinc.com