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Mentoring

Apply to WTS Puget Sound/Seattle Mentoring Program

WTS Puget Sound Chapter

2025 – 2026 Mentoring Program

The WTS Puget Sound Chapter is offering a FREE seven month mentoring program (open to all genders) for those within the Puget Sound area. The program will encompass people in all disciplines within the transportation industry, such as aviation, construction management, marketing, public involvement, public transportation, and transportation planning/engineering.

The Mentoring program will begin in October 2025 and extend through May 2026.

We are seeking:

  • Senior professionals to mentor junior professionals
  • Junior professionals to mentor entry level professionals and college students
  • Mentees who would like to learn from their junior or senior professional mentors

Mentees

If you are looking to take your career to the next level, this is the opportunity for you.

Mentors

No matter your interest and experience, you have knowledge and expertise that will be valuable to your mentee.

The mentoring program’s objective is to promote personal development and professional career growth. The program is not intended to assist with recruiting, promotion, nor the development of business acumen.

How To Apply

Submit an online application using the links below by Friday, September 26, 2025, with exception of Seattle University and University of Washington students whose applications are due Friday, October 10, 2025.

Using the details you provide in the application, you will be matched with a mentor or mentee by the WTS Puget Sound Mentoring Committee, and then notified via email of your pairing.

Please only apply if you are willing to commit to the seven-month program. Mentors and mentees will be responsible for meeting at least once a month on their own during the program. Meetings can be in-person or virtual. Please make a special effort to attend each of the three planned events. Commitment to this program will be approximately 15 hours over seven months.

Late submissions will be put on a waiting list, and are not guaranteed to be paired during the current program year — so don’t delay in completing and submitting your application!

Planned Milestone Events

  • Mentor/Mentee Pairings: You will be notified of your pairing by email
  • Kickoff Event: Program overview and partner introduction is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, October 30, 2025. This will be an in-person event in Seattle (time/location TBD).
  • Midyear Event: Professional development presentation planned for late January 2026. This will be an in-person event (time/location TBD).
  • Closing Event: Celebratory happy hour and networking event planned for mid May 2026. This will be an in-person event (time/location TBD).

Participants from previous years have shared their thoughts and experience in the program as well.

“I had a great experience as a mentee in the WTS Mentoring Program. All of the women I met were welcoming and eager to share their knowledge about careers in transportation. I look forward to participating again next year!”
— Stefanie Hindmarch

“WTS program allowed me to meet others in the industry and through mentorship, I learned much from those who are more seasoned in the field and gained valuable perspectives that I otherwise wouldn’t have.”
— Yingying Huang Fernandes

“Having had solid mentors as a new engineer was so helpful to me that I love the opportunity to help others grow in their career. WTS brings together great people to support each other in their development and meet others in the industry!”
— Renee Koester

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Mentoring Program, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] You can also reach out to the WTS Mentoring Program Co-Chairs:

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