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ACCI Professional Development Mentorship Program

ACCI's Early-Career Professional Development Mentorship Program is designed to support the professional growth of early-career professionals (e.g., researchers, educators, extension specialists, government employees, or non-profit organization staff members) interested in consumer and family economic issues. The program provides a platform for mentees to gain insights, knowledge, and skills from experienced professionals in the fields related to consumer wellbeing. Through this program, mentees will have the opportunity to build a strong professional network, enhance their research skills, and increase their visibility within the academic and professional communities.

Objectives:

The objectives of the Early-Career Professional Development Mentorship Program are to:

  • Provide early-career professionals with guidance, support, and mentorship from experienced professionals in the field of consumer science.
  • Enhance the research skills and knowledge of early-career professionals to conduct high-quality, impactful research that advances the field of consumer well-being.
  • Foster an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative community that encourages the exchange of ideas and promotes the professional growth of early-career professionals.

Procedures:

The Early-Career Professional Development Mentorship Program will be open to early-career professionals who are members of ACCI. The program will run for a period of 12 months from April 2025 to April 2026, during which mentees will be paired with experienced mentors based on their research interests and career goals. The program will include the following activities:

  • Pre-ACCI conference virtual orientation.
  • Luncheon panel discussion at the ACCI annual meeting.
  • In-person mentoring pair meetings at the ACCI annual meeting.
  • Monthly communications (email, phone, Zoom, etc.) between mentees and mentors to discuss research, professional development, and career goals.
  • Bi-monthly professional development workshops.
  • Opportunities to present preliminary research ideas and results to the mentee peer group.
  • Opportunities to present research at ACCI's multidisciplinary conference, and to publish in the peer-reviewed journal.
  • Networking events with other mentees and mentors and future cohorts of mentees and mentors to build a strong professional network.
  • Program evaluations at mid-term, completion, and 6 months after program completion to co-create an effective program.
  • Recognition of program completion and celebration of outstanding work at the ACCI annual conference.

ACCI is committed to supporting the professional development of early-career professionals and promoting the exchange of ideas among those interested in consumer and family economic issues. The Early-Career Professional Development Mentorship Program is a valuable opportunity for early-career professionals to gain the knowledge, skills, and support they need to advance their careers and contribute to the field of consumer well-being.

Selection Criteria:

  • Early-career professional: The applicant should be an early-career professional who has received their advanced degree within the past 5 years.
  • Membership in ACCI: The applicant must be a member of ACCI or willing to become a member before the start of the program.
  • Interest in consumer and family economic issues: The applicant should have a demonstrated interest in consumer and family economic issues, either through their academic research or professional work.
  • Clear career goals: The applicant should have clear career goals that align with the objectives of the program and show a commitment to advancing the field of consumer well-being.
  • Availability and commitment: The applicant should be available and committed to participating in the program for the entire duration of 12 months, attending monthly virtual meetings, and actively engaging with their mentor. They must also be committed to attending both the 2025 and 2026 ACCI annual conferences.
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion: The program seeks to create an inclusive and diverse community of professionals. Therefore, applicants from diverse backgrounds and with diverse perspectives are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who come from institutions or geographic regions with limited access to mentorship resources. Applicants would need to provide evidence of limited access to mentorship resources, such as a statement explaining the situation in their institution or geographic region, or a letter of support from a supervisor or academic advisor.

2025-2026 Cohort Application Instructions:

Please combine your application form, your CV, and proof of limited access mentorship resources (if applicable) into a single PDF file and email it to Dr. Yunhee Chang at [email protected] with "ACCI mentorship program application" in the subject line.

Download the Application Form.

Application deadline: January 31, 2025
Application review completion and mentoring pair matching announcement: March 7, 2025
Virtual orientation: April 2, 2025 (exact time TBD)
ACCI mentorship program luncheon anticipated: April 16 (further details to TBD)

Be a Mentor: If you are passionate about guiding others and sharing your expertise, reach out to Dr. Yunhee Chang at [email protected] with your areas of expertise and your latest CV.