National Mentoring Program

Mentees at any stage of their career, whether early in their undergraduate studies, seeking employment, or looking to advance their careers, are encouraged to apply. Additionally, newcomers to Canada with international experience in water resources who are seeking opportunities in the Canadian water sector are welcome to participate. While group discussions will be conducted in English, we will make every effort to pair French-speaking mentees with French-speaking mentors.

In Fall 2026, CWRA will offer two mentoring sessions. The program will run from October to December, with applications currently open exclusively for this period. The deadline for applications is October 4th at 11:59 pm ET (Late applications will not be accepted). Applicants must be a current member of CWRA. Note: Student memberships are free! Sign up today!

This program will feature two 2-hour group sessions, scheduled for October 25th and December 13th (both at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm ET). The specific focus of the mentoring sessions will be tailored to the needs and interests of the selected participants.

• Mentoring sessions will feature two group sessions with structure activities including networking, speed mentoring, mock interviews/applications, and open discussion periods.
  • Between group sessions, each mentee will have the opportunity to connect with a mentor for a 1:1 or 2:1, 60-minute virtual meetings which can include resume review with feedback, open discussion, tailored mentoring, etc.
• The program is designed to foster meaningful connections among all participants, with group sessions helping mentees build a broad professional network that includes both experienced mentors and their peer cohort.
• Participants in the program are encouraged to connect with members of the mentoring network outside of the scheduled group sessions and engage in the SYP Program.
• Additionally, all participants are strongly encouraged to attend CWRA events and other water-related activities to further expand their professional networks and knowledge.

All mentors and mentees in the National Mentoring Program must be members of CWRA.

Mentees are expected to:

• Proactively communicate their mentoring needs to program coordinators.
• Respond to emails promptly when a response is required. Complete all pre-session activities.
• Attend both group sessions in order to complete the mentoring program.
• Take initiative in scheduling meetings with their mentors. Prepare a resume and cover letter, if they don’t already have one.
• Complete the feedback survey at the end of the program.

Mentors are expected to:

• Attend one or two of the group sessions.
• Collaborate with their assigned mentees to schedule individual mentoring meetings between group sessions.
• Communicate any scheduling constraints to their respective mentee and program coordinators.
• Complete the feedback survey at the end of the program.

All group sessions will be held online, and participants must have access to a reliable internet connection.

Program documents will be shared via Google Drive, and participants will need access to it. Program coordinators will be available to assist anyone encountering issues with Google Drive access.

All participants in the mentoring program must comply with the CWRA Code of Ethics and Anti-Harassment Policy.

The application deadline for the Fall 2026 Program is October 4th at 11:59 pm ET.

“As a new international student in Canada, the CWRA Mentoring Program has helped me to understand how to develop myself professionally in the water resources field with more confidence and clarity.  Through generous guidance from experienced mentors, I have gained insights about current trends in the industry, built meaningful connections, and received access to valuable resources that have supported my academic and professional development. Overall, the program has provided me with a solid foundation and confidence for what lies ahead.” – Mentee

“I have had the pleasure of participating in the CWRA Mentoring program for several years.  Each session has been very rewarding because I’m able to contribute my experiences as a mentor, and also learn from everyone in the group, both mentors and mentees. Each group is very diverse, and I’ve been fortunate to stay in touch with some members for many years, and have enjoyed seeing their successes and continuing to be a resource for them. ” – Mentor

“Participating in the CWRA Mentoring Program and SYP have both been great experiences. I really appreciate how easy the CWRA makes it to connect with fellow members, whether that’s online or in-person, and regardless of career-stage. I found the Mentoring program especially valuable (so good I did it twice!) and would recommend it to all students and early career professionals.” – Mentee