Veteran journalists. You can be in print, audio or video. You can be an independent journalist or be full-time at a news outlet. We're looking for people with experience in the field.

Emerging journalists (i.e. early career or switching careers or media); student journalists; journalists who need help with a new facet of religion reporting (such as creating a podcast or investigative reporting); or newcomers to RNA.

This program is free for full RNA members.

Pairings will be made a couple of weeks after applications are received, based on similar media types, areas of interest, location and other factors.

As a mentor, you will:
Invest in another RNA member in a meaningful way, support new religion journalists and newcomers to RNA as they navigate the field and explore career interests and goals, help mentees develop their professional and personal networks in an authentic way, and give back to RNA by sharing your journey.

As a mentee, you will:
Connect with a fellow RNA member who has an interest in helping you succeed, feel more established in RNA and learn about its programs, develop insight from an experienced religion journalist, and gain an appreciation for mentoring as a professional development tool.

Flexible times:
Each mentor/mentee pairing decides how often and how long to meet. Generally, we encourage at least one hour per month to get the most out of the experience, but feel free to meet more regularly or for longer periods.

Flexible ways to meet:
Each mentor/mentee pairing decides how to meet (video, phone or in person at a public location).

We strongly encourage participants to attend the annual RNA conference, where mentees and mentors can meet in person.

For mentors:
Reach out to your mentee to schedule meetings, commit to the mentoring relationship for the program duration, connect with mentees on a regular basis, help the mentee set goals for the relationship and provide guidance toward those goals, share your professional journey and experiences in a way that connects to the mentee’s reporting, interviewing or networking goals.

For mentees:
As for and receive constructive feedback and guidance, prepare for meetings by thinking of discussion topics and questions, keep appointments and notify your mentor in advance if you must cancel, thank your mentor for their time and wisdom, avoid asking for job opportunities, work or donations of any kind, keep what your mentor tells you in confidence.