College Mentorship
The BGE College Mentorship Program six-month program for early career with a special focus on BGEs who attend an HBCU or community college! Each selected mentee will be paired with a well-seasoned BGE who will guide them through our mentorship program. This program will give you the tools to map your career and personal goals, connect with other early career BGEs in our cohort, and attend professional development opportunities! A variety of environmental sectors will be represented, spanning from fashion to marine biology, philanthropy, or even academia. At the end of this program, each mentee will receive a $250 professional development stipend.
Program information
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The application opens on March 25, 2024 and closes on April 26 at 11:59pm EST.
You can apply using the link here
You must submit using the official application link to be considered.
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You are a current undergraduate university or community college student with at least one semester of schooling completed.
You are passionate about the environment and are eager to learn more about environmental career possibilities.
Able to express your goals for the mentorship program and actively engage in setting goals and communicating with your mentor.
Demonstrate openness to guidance, feedback, and support, with a growth mindset and willingness to learn and embrace discomfort.
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This program will require a 20-30 hourly commitment with regularly scheduled meetings, fireside chats, professional development exercise over from the months of April to October.
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Anyone living in any US State or Territory is eligible to apply. The mentorship program is virtual.
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Application Opens 3/25
Applications Close 4/26
Applicants Notified 5/3
April - October Program Is Underway
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Please email us at Elsa@blackgirlenvironmentalist.org for any questions or concerns.
why
Mentorship is needed. It's especially needed for BGEs who want to grow in their respective careers. It is no secret that Black girls and gender-expansive folk are starting from an unfair playing field that often shuts us out and holds us back. This is apparent in the environmental movement, where oftentimes environmental issues are portrayed as only being for white communities or are reduced only to nature-based issues. Which completely erases our communities from important decision-making and opportunities.
BGE’s College Mentorship Program is necessary to curate a safe space for early career Black Girl Environmentalist's to learn tangible skills that will assist them in securing internships, jobs, and advanced education. We are building a pipeline of training and support that does not reliably exist.
We aim to impact our community significantly by helping build the skills and knowledge for BGEs to thrive in their career and to contribute to the environmental movement. Not only will this program amplify the voices of BGEs as a united force fighting for environmental justice, it will create a growing network of us nationally.
The mentorship program will help BGEs discover their path in the environmental movement and how to use their unique talents and education to contribute to the field and affirm that they belong.
Building Programs for Black Girls by Black Girls
Historically Black Colleges and Universities are often sites of environmental injustice and are also places that are uniquely crafted to build future Black leaders. HBCU students are in a unique position of marginalization and disenfranchisement when it comes to resource access, healthy environments, career opportunities, and the climate. Black girls and gender-expansive folk are no strangers to this. Similar to HBCU students, community college students also face barriers to career development opportunities due to funding issues or lack of representation. This is why BGE is ensuring that at least half of the Mentorship Cohort is made up of HBCU and community college students.
We are working to close generational gaps by connecting early-career BGEs to well-seasoned BGEs who are excited to invest in the next generation of climate and environmental leaders!