Education > APICS Scholars Education Program > Be a Mentor

Mentor Duties, Responsibilities, and Benefits

Apply to be an APICS mentor.

Program Goal

The goal of the APICS Mentoring Program is to facilitate a unique learning experience that helps students build networks, gain industry knowledge, forge lasting relationships, and better understand the value of APICS membership.  The vast professional experience held by APICS mentors is what makes this goal possible. 

Why Mentors are Needed

Attending a conference for the first time can be overwhelming for anyone, but is especially so for students.  Having a mentor to turn to for guidance and advice throughout the conference is invaluable.  Furthermore, a mentor with insights and contacts within a particular industry is essential for a student beginning the job search process.  Additionally, the expansive benefits, opportunities, and products provided by APICS can be challenging to navigate.  Mentors use their APICS experience to direct students towards the most advantageous utilization of APICS resources.

Benefits of Being a Mentor

• Influence the future of Operations Management
• Build long term relationships, and expand personal network
• Gain access to the best and brightest Operations students in the nation
• Give back to the APICS community in a meaningful way
• Help shape the next generation of APICS leaders and volunteers
• Receive certification maintenance points
• Access to preferential seating at General Sessions

Pre-Conference Duties

• Mentors must be well aware of program goals, expectations, and schedules before arrival in K.C.
• Mentors must contact students a minimum of three times via email, phone call, or chapter meeting
• Ideally, the mentor and student will have a good understanding of each other’s interests, background, and goals by August, and will have built rapport with one another.

On-Site Duties

• Plan to arrive Saturday, Sept. 13th and stay through Tuesday, Sept. 16th
• Participate in scholar scavenger hunt on Saturday, Sept. 13th to become familiar with conference facilities and surrounding accommodations
• Participate in scholar opening reception/etiquette dinner
• Attend Scholar, Mentor, Donor, and APICS Board of Directors Lunch Sunday, Sept. 14th
• Spend at least an hour per day meeting with scholar outside of program sponsored events
• Assist scholar in developing professional network
• Direct scholar to appropriate APICS staff/volunteer for answers to questions or issues that may arise

Post-Conference Duties

• Perform exit interview with scholar to review mentoring and conference experience
• Complete survey of mentoring experience
• Maintain ongoing relationship with scholar
• Continue to help scholar expand network and assist with career aspirations

Apply to be an APICS mentor.