The Washington Statistical Society and Government Statistics Section of the American Statistical Association are accepting applications for their joint mentoring program for the 2025–2026 term. The program matches statisticians at different career stages to promote professional growth, knowledge sharing, and stronger connections within the statistical community.
The WSS/GSS mentoring program is open to all section members, and anyone can join at any time. Participants are paired based on their career stage, statistical expertise, and goals. Over a minimum of six months, mentors and mentees meet at least monthly—virtually, by phone, or in person—to discuss topics such as career advancement, networking strategies, and professional development.
Program organizers encourage pairs to continue their mentoring relationships beyond the official program period if mutually beneficial.
Benefits for Mentors and Mentees
According to the ASA Committee on Applied Statisticians’ do-it-yourself mentorship guide, mentoring offers valuable advantages for both sides.
For mentors: Opportunities include connecting with emerging professionals, refining communication and leadership skills, and gaining new perspectives from early-career colleagues. Mentors also benefit from sharing their experiences, helping mentees identify opportunities, and learning about the evolving challenges in the field.
For mentees: Participants gain a sounding board for career questions, guidance in developing professional goals, and a supportive connection to the broader community of applied statisticians. Mentorship helps mentees boost confidence, clarify career paths, and build strong professional networks.
A previous mentoring workshop introduced the program and outlined its structure.
How to Apply
Interested participants can register and select their role as mentor, mentee, or both. After registration, mentors and mentees will receive introduction emails and optional materials to guide their discussions.
The formal mentoring period will run through late spring 2026. Participants will also complete a short evaluation survey to help improve future iterations of the program.
I wanted to be mentored as an informatician or statistician but I noticed it’s full now. As a newly graduated public health informatics student when can I get the chance to register again?
Hi Bernard, Thanks for reaching out. Visit the Washington Statistical Society website about mentoring (https://washstat.org/mentoring/). You’ll see a list of names at the bottom of the page. Email one of those contacts and hopefully, they can help.