Become a mentor
Our industry leading mentoring scheme helps 75 mentees every year overcome challenges and lead more fulfilling careers. Our mentees range from those starting out in their first jobs to veterans facing redundancy or retirement. They work across all platforms and beats, from print to podcasting, and live throughout the UK and beyond.
We'll personally match you with a mentee for one year who you will meet four times either face to face or online. Many mentors choose to meet more often, but you set the boundaries that work for your schedule. You don't have to be a WiJ member to become a mentor.
If you'd like to become a mentor, please fill in this brief form and we'll contact you in December if we find your perfect match. If you have any questions, please email wijmentors@gmail.com.
Here's what some of our mentors say about their experience:
Alison Phillips, former editor Daily Mirror and former WIJ chair
“It's eye opening to see the industry as it is now through the eyes of women at different stages of their careers and it's great to be able to pass on advice and life learnings to those who will come after us. It's a brilliant thing to be involved with.”
Amanda Nunn, news editor and producer at ITN
“I love being a mentor and have become genuine friends with so many of my mentees. I find seeing their progress so inspiring and it gives me a kick to do try and do better as well.”
Busola Evans, interiors journalist and WIJ advisory board member
"It has been an enormous privilege to be a WIJ mentor and support, encourage and hopefully inspire a new generation of brilliant female journalists. It is as much of a rewarding experience for me as it has been for my mentees and the programme has allowed them to feel suitably equipped to launch confidently into their careers."
How the mentoring scheme works
There are two schemes. Both run for a year, but many mentors and mentees stay in touch after that informally and become valued contacts.
Senior Scheme: for journalists with at least five years industry experience
Most likely you’ll be looking for more senior positions or guidance on how to progress your career at a higher level. You may also be freelance, thinking of going freelance or considering how to diversify. Women who are planning or have taken a career break are welcome to apply, as are those who have lost their job, contracts, or freelance work. Mentors will be selected from our committee and our broader network. **Senior mentees are expected to become junior mentors the following year.
Junior Scheme: for journalists with two to five years industry experience
We are sorry but we don’t accept applications from students or if you have been working as a journalist for less than two years. Your mentor will be a mentee from a previous senior scheme, who will now be in a more senior or satisfying role.
If you have any questions about the scheme, please email wijmentors@gmail.com.
Our mentoring scheme is kindly sponsored by Tesco