Started in 2016, the CSTE Early Career Professionals Mentorship Program is supported by the Early Career Professionals Subcommittee and aims to build relationships and foster shared learning among applied epidemiologists. The 10-month virtual mentorship program matches mentees and mentors on common interests and their motivation for participating in the program. Mentors and mentees meet virtually once a month to discuss personal goals and participate in professional development exercises on topics such as values and self-assessing your work style. Participants also receive a monthly newsletter with upcoming professional development opportunities and access to the Mentorship Program online platform to facilitate virtual networking.

While the CSTE Early Career Professionals Mentorship program is facilitated by CSTE, the engagement of participants is critical to the success of the program, and the program is limited depending on the availability of qualified mentors.

What are the requirements to be a mentor?

Mentor applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Minimum of three years of work experience in public health
• Hold a Masters-level degree or higher
• Currently work in the field of public health, including but not limited to health departments, academia, governmental partners (e.g., CDC), tribal organizations or non-profits.
• Availability to meet once a month with a mentee

What are the requirements to be a mentee?

Mentee applicants should be an entry-level epidemiologist (graduated within the past five years) or a current student with the availability to meet once a month with a mentor.

Do I have to be a CSTE member to participate in the Mentorship program?

CSTE membership is not required to participate in the Mentorship program as a mentor or mentee, however, we encourage all participants to become a member to access additional CSTE membership benefits.

What is the size of the Mentorship program?

The size of the program depends on the number of eligible mentors. During the 2021-2022 cohort, the program had 39 mentors and 52 mentees.

Is it possible to match with a specific mentor?

If you have already identified a mentor/mentee that you would like to be matched with, please indicate so in the online application. Both mentor and mentee must apply to be matched.

The CSTE Mentorship Program is currently on pause with an application date to be determined in 2026. 

“The CSTE Mentorship program was an outstanding experience, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of such a powerful program.”

-Mentorship Program Participant (2017-18)

If you have any questions, please contact WFResources@cste.org.