About the Mentoring Program

Basic Guidelines
  • Participation is open to any DHS employee (HQ and Components), regardless of location, who is a DHS AAPIN member. (You do not need to be a member to apply, but are expected to become a member if selected to participate in the program. Please visit our Membership & Support page for more information on becoming a member.
  • Mentors must be from outside the mentee's supervisory chain.
  • A mentor must be at least a GS-13 (or equivalent) or higher.
  • Mentees must obtain supervisory approval before participating in this program.
  • An individual can be a mentor and mentee at the same time.
  • There will be three primary milestone events: an opening kick-off, a mid-year energizer, and a closing celebration. Participants are expected to make every reasonable effort to attend these events.
  • Mentorship pairs should meet at least monthly.

Prospective Mentees
Mentees can be of any GS level and need not be new to the federal government; some of the most successful mentoring relationships may be between mid-level employees and senior leaders. The program also provides mentees a safe space to develop rapport with peers and senior leaders across DHS, and practice networking skills to develop professional contacts outside their normal sphere of work.

Prospective Mentors
Mentors must be at least a GS-13 (or equivalent) or higher but do not need to be in supervisory positions. The program provides mentors an opportunity to build their legacy by sharing experiences and lessons learned, as well as develop new contacts across DHS. 
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