Engage in Mentoring

Mentor Match Is Open All Year Around!

Contact Kristin Dixon at kdixon@tappi.org with any questions you may have.

Why Participate in Mentor Match?

TAPPI Connect's Mentor Match unites mentors and protégés to share resources and experiences while working together to achieve professional and personal goals. Mentor Match will offer flexibility and creativity for better professional development.

Benefits of being a Mentor

Reinforce and expand your knowledge
Exercise your problem solving and leadership skills
Gain a sense of satisfaction knowing you are helping to shape and influence the next generation

Benefits of being a Protégé

Expand industry knowledge or soft skills
Gain valuable advice from a more experienced person
Build your professional network

Learn more about becoming a mentor. Learn more about becoming a protégé.

"Finding a mentor through TAPPI Connect has been a game-changer for me. Books, seminars, training courses, and search engines are all great resources to gain knowledge from, but they can't celebrate your wins with you or guide you through situations in real-time with wisdom you can only get through lived experiences. My mentor's support, guidance, and cheerleading have been instrumental in my personal and professional growth."
- Jessi Spadaccino, protégé since 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in Mentor Match?

Mentor Match is open to any current TAPPI member or nonmember. You must be logged in to participate. If you don't already have a Connect login, you can register.

What is the time commitment for the Mentor Match program?

TAPPI recommends that a mentor meet with their protégé one hour per month for one year, however, it is up to each mentor and protégé pair to decide how frequently and how long the partnership will last.

What is a mentor?

A mentor is an experienced and trusted adviser within a TAPPI associated industry who will support a protégé through achieving a professional or personal goal. The mentor will share and receive resources, advice, and teachings with a protégé.

What qualities does a good mentor have?

Years of training or experience don’t necessarily define a good mentor. Look for the following qualities when interviewing mentor candidates, or when considering becoming a mentor:

Strong Communicator
Reasonably Accessible
Trustworthy
Motivational/Goal-Oriented
Open-Minded/Teachable

What is a protégé?

A protégé in TAPPI's Mentor Match program is a professional of any experience level or age who is seeking additional career support and guidance from an industry professional (mentor) with more experience.

How can I get the most out of being a protégé?

We have found that protégés with clear goals, a willingness to learn, a positive attitude, motivation to succeed, and an open mind get the most out of mentorship programs.

If I am enrolled as a protégé in the program, can I also mentor?

Yes. Mentors are encouraged to be protégés and protégés are encouraged to mentor as long as the individual meets all of the program requirements.

When can I sign up?

Mentors and protégés can signup anytime! The program is now open ALL year-round.

What can participants expect?

At the start of a Mentor Match, participants will need to watch the Mentor Match Process Video, apply as either a mentor or protégé using the online application. This application adds you to the system and allows you to focus on your needs. After filling out an application you can search for your mentor/protégé using the online directory. We recommend that mentors and protégés spend one hour connecting each month. The mentoring will take place over the course of 1 year but can be adjusted to meet each team’s needs.

Does a match have to be local?

No. Thanks to TAPPI Connect, members from across the globe can easily communicate by whatever method works best for them: through TAPPI Connect, phone, video conferencing software, or email.

What if my Match doesn't work out?

No problem. If you and your match decide not to continue, you can reach out to another mentor/protégé of your choice by selecting the 'Click Here to send me a request button on their profile.

Can I match again once one mentor/protege relationship is done?

Yes! All you have to do is search the online directory again and you can match with another individual that is a part of the program. New Mentors and Proteges are always joining the program.