The Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is launching a mentorship program designed to connect working journalists with Colorado college students.

Doug Bell, SPJ Colorado Pro’s education chair, says the program will pair mentors and mentees for one year, and the pairs will meet twice a month virtually or in person for feedback and career advice. Mentors and mentees will be matched based on interests and expertise. 

Interested students should send their name, school, phone, email and area of interest (type of journalism they’re studying, ideal job after graduation, current or previous internships) to Doug at dgoal@aol.com.

How It Works: Professional journalists volunteer to mentor students studying journalism at Colorado colleges. Mentors will meet with mentees at least every two weeks — in person or virtually — to offer guidance and advice. Mentors will also be available at limited agreed-upon times for on-the-fly counseling and work critiques. The mentor and mentee should agree to continue the relationship for one year.

Who Can Participate: Communications students at any Colorado college can be mentees. Professionals with at least two years of experience willing to commit to mentoring an aspiring journalist can be mentors.

Compatibility: Colorado SPJ will match mentors and mentees based on the professional’s areas of expertise and the interests of the student.

 Guidelines:

• Mentors and mentees will determine times and length of meetings based on their schedules and preferences. They will also determine the best methods to communicate.
• Participants agree to confidentiality among mentors and mentees, unless either needs advice on the process from Colorado SPJ Pro.

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• JOIN US: Become a member of national SPJ and add Colorado Pro chapter membership for free. Details here. (Rates for students are just $40 per year.)
• MORE FOR STUDENTS: SPJ Colorado Pro announces 2026 scholarship recipients
• EVENT: Join us April 25 for the SPJ 2026 Top of the Rockies Awards Reception. (Scholarships will be presented at the event.)
• STAY IN TOUCH WITH SPJ COLORADO PRO: Online, Facebook, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram
• YOUTUBE VIDEOS of past SPJ Colorado Pro events.