Mentorship creates a space for sharing experiences and has the power to build connections across generations. It can take the shape of a formal relationship where both parties are working together to help the mentee progress in their career, or it can be more casual connections that deepen through years of running into each other at events, conventions, etc.

The opportunity to give and receive mentorship has been a huge part of both my career development and the personal fulfillment I experience helping others with their careers. I received my first college internship by introducing myself to a speaker at a NOMA Conference. I still follow his work on LinkedIn and recently had the pleasure of running into him. That experience was a turning point in my career, and it all started with a simple introduction.

One of my recent mentoring experiences has been with the NOMA Historically Black College/University Professional Development Program (HBCU PDP), which Weber Thompson has proudly sponsored since 2023. As a mentor for the program, I have had the opportunity to be  one of the first touch points in forming these critical relationships.

Based on my own experiences, I’ve found that following a few best practices can make a big difference for new professionals entering the workforce.

Attend networking events

The hardest part of making these connections is the starting point. Programs like the HBCU PDP provide a space for students and professionals to meet. Other opportunities include committee meetings, fundraising luncheons, conferences, and events hosted by organizations like NOMA or AIA. Taking that first step to meet people in the AEC industry can be scary, but you have to be in it to win it!

Alyssa (left) at the 2024 NOMA National Conference with NOMA members Kathryn Prigmore, Jasmine McNeil and Nasreen Al-Tamini.

Prepare an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a 30 – 60 second introduction of yourself, your interests and your goals, allowing the person you’re chatting with to get to know you in a quick and efficient manner. Before entering the networking event, share your elevator pitch with a friend so you can practice presenting it and they can provide feedback.

In my opinion, the single most important part of your pitch is simply your name. Remember to say it slowly and clearly so your future mentor remembers you.

Develop the conversation

Now that you have introduced yourself, continue the conversation by expanding on a point. This is an opportunity to express interest in what your companion has shared, and the conversation can flow once you find commonality between your stories. This could even lead to a non-work-related topic, giving you a chance to show your personality.

By the end of your conversation, aim to remember the basics about your potential mentor: their name, place of work, and one additional tidbit of information that makes them memorable.

Follow up

You’ve attended the event, shared your elevator pitch, and had a great conversation – now it’s time to follow up. In the digital age, you might not exchange physical business cards, but perhaps you’ve gotten an email address, or connected via LinkedIn. The best introduction starts with a greeting, reminds them where you met, and includes that memorable tidbit you took from your conversation.

For example:

Hi Jeff,

I hope you are having a great week. My name is Alyssa M Mitchell, it was great meeting you at the NOMA HBCU Professional Development Program career fair this past Saturday. I really enjoyed our conversation about your work in the affordable housing sector. I hope to stay in touch!

Stay in touch

If you feel the connection you made has potential for a true mentor relationship, nurture it by making an effort to stay in touch. A more passive professional connection might involve sending an annual email to let them know where you are in school or early career and expressing an interest to hear about updates on their end.

You could also formalize the relationship by inviting them to be your mentor. This might look like scheduling a quarterly coffee chat or Zoom discussion where you can share career updates and receive advice. No matter how often you connect, always respect your mentor’s time by coming prepared with questions and a learning mindset.

Mentorship has been a powerful catalyst in my own journey, and I encourage you to take that first step. You never know how one conversation could change your path.