The mission of the Building Connections mentorship program is to cultivate strong professional relationships that support the positive and equitable growth of the sustainability movement in the San Diego region. The program will tap into the existing knowledge, skills, and experience of our community members and support the sharing of these skills to other professionals that are either emerging in their fields, contemplating a career change, or looking to advance their careers.

There are wide disparities in the environmental and building industries regarding race, gender, and ethnicity:

• Black designers account for only two percent of the total population of licensed architects working in the United States. (On Race & Architecture, 2017 Curbed Article)
• The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reports that 63% of the construction workforce is white and that 9.1% of the entire construction industry is female. 
• According to statistics released in 2015 by the American Society for Engineering Education, just 19.9% of bachelor’s degrees in engineering were awarded to women. 

These are only a few statistics that illustrate the importance of supporting diversity within these industries. Mentorship provides a supportive environment for emerging and transitioning professionals to enter sustainability careers with the tools to make them confident and empowered in their work. This program aims for both mentors and mentees to gain new professional relationships, a pathway to support and challenge the sustainability movement, and space to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce in San Diego’s building and environmental industries. 

Interested in being a Mentor?

Mentors will be matched with a mentee that is either an emerging professional or professional looking to transition into more sustainability-based work. The program will span 1 year (requiring an average of 2 hours per month) encompassing a fall and spring session with regular check-ins from our program advisors. The mentors are expected to provide a goal setting session, monthly check-ins, a shadowing opportunity, and one document review to their mentee in order to support their professional development.

Professionals and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are asking that applicants have at least 3 years of experience in their field, in order to nurture strong professional connections for our mentees.

Applications are now closed for this year's cohort.

Interested in being a Mentee?

Whether you are an emerging professional or transitioning into a new career, we aim to help you build strong professional connections and development opportunities.

The program will span 1 year (requiring an average of 2 hours per month) encompassing a fall and spring session with regular check-ins from our program advisors. The mentors are expected to provide a goal setting session, monthly check-ins, a shadowing opportunity, and one document review to their mentee in order to support your professional development.

Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We will be working to match you with a professional that is best suited to support your professional development based on your career goals and specified needs.

Applications are now closed for this year's cohort.

2022-2023 Cohort Timeline:

Application Period: CLOSED

Kick-Off Meeting: August 17th, 2022 in person

     5:30pm - 6:00pm Program Introduction (also available via zoom)

     6:00pm - 7:30pm Speed Networking

Mid-Program Career Panel: February 7, 2023 in person

     5:30pm - 6:00pm Networking

     6:00pm - 7:00pm Career Panel Discussion

     7:00pm - 7:30pm Networking and Closing

Program Conclusion and Closing Event: June 2023

If you have any questions please reach out to us at [email protected] 

Thank you to UnionBank for grant funds to support the Building Connections Mentorship Program 2022-2023 Cohort.

Thank You to our 2022 Title Sponsor! 

Thank You to our 2021 Sponsors!

Program Sponsorship

If you're interested in supporting this program through sponsorship, you can view our Sponsorship Package here. 

This is a project of the Women+ In Green Committee and the Equity Advisory Committee. Additional information about each committee is on the linked webpages and if you'd like to get involved you can find contact information there as well.