Skip to main content
Add Me To Your Mailing List
HomeMentorship Program
University of Minnesota Duluth students
PR North attendees
Classics attendees networking
Event attendees networking around table

Mentorship Program

 


Are you a current PRSSA member or professional with 1-5 years’ experience? 

Are you a seasoned professional looking for a way to give back to the profession?

Minnesota PRSA has put a new twist on mentorship through a new cohort-model based mentorship program. Now is the time to sign up to become a mentee or a mentor.

What is it?


The Mentorship program will connect new-to-the-industry professionals with seasoned PR pros in a cohort model to allow all participants to maximize their growth. Alternating in-person and virtual events with topics spanning across the industry, this program aims to grow and strengthen our membership and connect members across the state.

Why join?

  1. It will be a fun way to meet new people and make connections across generations. (Mentors will also be learning from mentees.) 
  2. This is a no-cost program for PRSSA and PRSA members (and minimal cost for non-members.) 
  3. Not a major time commitment for a lot of gain. The program will run from February to December, 2025, giving participants a set and manageable time (no long term commitments). 

The program will cover topics including: 

  • Crisis communication
  • Media pitching
  • PR ethics
  • Diversity, equity, inclusion and belong (DEI+B) best practices 
  • And more!

Who should join?


Mentees: 
College juniors/seniors and recent graduates (5 years or fewer years’ experience in the PR field). 

Mentors:
PR professionals with 5+ (preferably 7-10+) years’ experience in the communications/PR profession.

Where?


The program will have a mixture of in-person and virtual meetings. All meetings will include a virtual option, with some also being at a host site for attendees in the metro area who can be onsite. 

Sessions will typically be held every 4-5 weeks on Thursdays between 4-5:30 p.m. 

Mentorship Mixer Kick-Off Event (in person): 

In alignment with the PR North event (Saturday, Feb. 15), a kickoff event will take place the evening before. Registration by Feb. 10 is required to attend. 
  • Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
  • 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
  • Padilla, 1101 W River Pkwy #400, Minneapolis, MN 55415
  • Pizza and drinks will be served

Program Fees


This program is free to participate for all PRSA and PRSSA members. 

Students and young professionals who are not PRSSA or PRSA members are encouraged to join for a $25 program fee to go toward program costs. Mentee scholarships are available upon request.  

Submit Non-Member Mentee Fee

Non-members who would like to act as a mentor are welcome to join and asked to gift $50 to cover program costs. 

Members who would like to support the program are encouraged to give a free-will donation (recommended $50) to help cover student scholarships and program costs.

Submit Donation

Any non-members who join the program and upgrade to membership by June 30, 2025 will have their program fees reimbursed. 

Registration is open now through Feb. 10, 2025. Late registrations will be accommodated through the end of February as program space allows. 

Questions?


Please send questions to Membership Committee and Mentorship Program co-chairs Josue Gjerdingen (josue.gjerdingen@startribune.com) and Mira LaNasa (mira.lanasa@childrensmn.org).

Reach out to Laura Hennen, Minnesota PRSA Board Member and Membership Committee liaison, at laura.m.hennen@medtronic.com with questions regarding program costs.


Sign up as a mentee


Sign up as a mentor