Cultivating Alaska's next generation of environmental leaders.

Thank you for your interest in participating in AWEN's Mentorship Program! This page will provide you with an introduction to our program and guidelines for submitting your application.

Mentorship Program
AWEN's Mentorship Program matches women in environmental leadership roles (mentors) with women in earlier stages of environmental careers or community action (mentees).

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, this program is right for you.

• Do you have a deep interest and commitment to the environment?
• Are you new to Alaska and want to network with other environmental professionals?
• Are you pursuing an environmental degree?
• Are you exploring the next steps of your career toward an eventual leadership role?
• Are you changing careers toward the environmental field?

Benefits of the Program

• Building relationships with mentors who have achieved a leadership role and positive reputation in the conservation community.
• Connecting to a diverse group of women and the wider environmental community.
• Gaining educational and professional skills needed to blossom into leaders
• Focused Career Planning
• At the end of the program mentees share their experience with their peers.

Program Requirements

• One year commitment beginning with mandatory membership retreat in March
• $50 Program Fee
• 12 (1-2 hour) meetings with your mentor throughout the year
• Mentees are required to attend one AWEN session per month, or 12 per year- these could be networking events, trainings, environmental leadership luncheons or education events.
• Mentees are encouraged to keep a journal
• Mentees are required to complete a year-end evaluation.

2010 Program Timeline
December 8 (2009)    Open application period for 2010 program
January 8                   Deadline for Mentee Applications
February 19               Pairs announced and mentees contacted
March 20-21              Inaugural mentorship retreat (location TBD)

*Note that there may be limited space in the program. If there are a greater number of applicants than mentors, we will choose participants by matching their interests with an available mentor.  In cases where more than one applicant matches the qualities of a mentor, the participant will be chosen randomly.

AWEN Mentorship Program 2010
Please provide a two-page letter of interest addressing the points below and your current résumé.

The letter of interest should include:

1. A brief biography describing where you are from and your interest in the environment.
2. Why do you want to be part of AWEN’s Mentorship program?  What do you want to gain from this program?
3. What are your hobbies and other interests?
4. Describe your strengths and areas where you'd like to expand your knowledge or experience.
5. Describe where you are in relation to your personal or career goals.

Contact Melanie Smith, Mentorship Program Chair, with any questions. She can be reached at 907.440.1964 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .Submit your letter of interest and résumé via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with “Mentorship Application Submission” in the subject line by January 8, 2009.