The Alison R. Bernstein Media Mentoring Program
About the Program
The Alison R. Bernstein Media Mentoring Program (ARBMMP) is an annual program addressing the underrepresentation of women in leadership, production, and creative roles across media, journalism, communications, and information technology platforms by examining gender-based barriers to professional development.
Linking recent Rutgers alums with accomplished professionals in media, this program enables individuals who are in the early stages of their careers to learn from experienced professionals in the field. This partnership fosters community, encourages personal and professional growth, provides exclusive networking opportunities, and offers invaluable industry insights at no cost to the participants. The Alison R. Bernstein Media Mentoring Program is open to all qualifying individuals regardless of their sex, gender, or gender identity.
For more information about the Alison R. Bernstein Media Mentoring Program, please reach out to Nishi Shah, Program Coordinator, at arbmmp@iwl.rutgers.edu.
Mission
The lack of professional mentorship opportunities for growth and development in the media, journalism, communications, and technology fields has been identified as a barrier to individuals from groups, such as women, who have been underrepresented in the field.
Through the Alison R. Bernstein Media Mentoring Program, mentors can play a vital role in guiding and supporting individuals early in their careers. Mentors help with understanding job expectations, navigating work culture, building new relationships, and supporting advancement into leadership positions.
The ARB Media Mentoring Program:
- Promotes one-on-one informal mentoring sessions allowing participants to receive mentorship from carefully selected media leaders.
- Provides a series of structured workshops and events across the year bringing together the alums and mentors as a group.
- Encourages participants remain connected with each other and the program once the official mentorship concludes.
Want to be a mentor or mentee?
The Alison R. Bernstein Media Mentoring Program runs annually from September-May.
TO QUALIFY AS A MENTEE, YOU ARE:
- A Rutgers graduate in the early stages of your career.
- Looking for mentorship related to the journalism, media, communications, or technology field.
- Ready to commit to your assigned mentor by:
- Meeting for a minimum of three in-person or virtual one-on-one mentoring sessions
- Participating in additional monthly contact with your assigned mentor
- Attending scheduled workshops and events throughout the program year
TO QUALIFY AS A MENTOR, YOU ARE:
- An established professional with experience in journalism, media, communications, or technology.
- Mentors do not have to be Rutgers alum but should live in the tri-state area.
- Ready to commit to your assigned mentee by:
- Meeting for a minimum of three in-person or virtual one-on-one mentoring sessions
- Participating in additional monthly contact with your assigned mentee
- Attending scheduled workshops and events throughout the program year
About the Participants
Participants have industry backgrounds in:
Journalism (Print, Digital, Broadcast), Television and Radio Production, Public Relations, Digital Production, Marketing, Advertising, Filmmaking, and Production
Mentors have worked for the following companies:
Google, NBC, CBS, ABC, Hearst Digital Media, The New York Times, WNYC Radio, NJ Advance Media, Telemundo, Comedy Central, L'Oreal
Women Make Movies, Bleacher Report, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health Magazine, VICE
History
In 2015 the Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL) and School of Communication and Information (SCI) collaborated to create the Gloria Steinem Media Mentoring Program (GSMMP). It was Alison R. Bernstein’s imaginative guidance, determination, and dedication in honoring Gloria Steinem’s legacy that led to the creation of this program.
Alison, a beloved campus leader at Rutgers who had served as director of the Institute for Women’s Leadership since 2010, passed away in June, 2016. Inspired by Gloria’s idea to name the program for Alison, the IWL and SCI are proud to present the Alison R. Bernstein Media Mentoring Program as part of the Gloria Steinem Initiative in Media, Culture, and Feminist studies. The Alison R. Bernstein Media Mentoring Program is offered to recent alums pursuing careers in the media, technology, and journalism fields.
Contact
Institute for Women’s Leadership
162 Ryders Lane
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8555
P: 848.932.1463
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