2025 Theme: Resilience Through Storytelling
Program Dates
MAR 29 – MAY 3
Deadline
FEB 28
Interviews
7-14 days after submitted application
Selection
MAR 2
The 2025 OCA Mentorship Program encourages participants to reflect on their personal identities and communities that shaped them, network with AANHPI individuals who have carved out spaces for themselves in historically underrepresented industries, and learn how to mobilize change in their local communities through civic engagement and advocacy. Through engaging in personal and professional development workshops, mentees will gain a better understanding of the impact that they want to make on the world.
By bridging the gaps between generations of AAPI leaders, we are empowered to break through social and cultural expectations, take up space, and advocate for future generations to do the same.
*Note: you do NOT have to be of AAPI descent to participate in the program.
Apply NowProgram Overview
For over the last decade, OCA’s mentorship program has helped to ensure that students are career and community ready. The program is open to individuals who fit in four categories: high school, undergraduate, graduate, and newly graduated young professionals.
During the three-month program, students will take part in workshops, hear from special guest speakers, and be paired up with mentors to develop and learn valuable insights related to career, service, and even life skills. After completing the program, mentees will graduate and can be placed into OCA’s various boards so they can continue building on their leadership skills and also contribute to making an impact on the community.
If you have any questions, please email mentorship@ocalasvegas.org.
Program Schedule
Students will be asked to attend the following workshops and events focused on various topics and with a range of guest speakers. Workshops take place in person from 11am – 1pm. Lunch from local AAPI businesses will be provided.
- Sat, Mar. 29th: Orientation & Opening Reception
- Sat, Apr. 5th (Workshop #1): Personal and Community Identity
- Sat, Apr. 12th (Workshop #2): Interview Preparation and Practice
- Sat, Apr. 19th: Mentee Social (Optional but highly recommended)
- Sat, Apr 26th (Workshop #3): Personal Narrative Storytelling for Advocacy
- Sat, May 3rd (Workshop #4): Career Panel: Challenging Traditional Asian American Career Paths
- May 2025 (exact date TBD): Mentorship Program Graduation Celebration
Other Projects
In addition to attending workshops, mentees will be asked to complete an interview assignment that will help them connect with their mentors. Additionally, mentees may be asked to assist in OCA Las Vegas community projects and events.
Program Eligibility
- High school, college students (both undergraduate and graduate), or young professionals who have just graduated from college.
- Students must currently be attending or must have recently graduated from a school in the Greater Las Vegas area.
- Any major or interest of study is welcome to apply.
- Applicants do not need to be of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent.
- Individuals who are driven to become community leaders, motivated to learn, and wanting to build on personal and professional development.
Mentorship Process
When applying to the program, mentees will be asked to detail their passions and career interests. Based on these responses, OCA Las Vegas will connect them with mentors accordingly. These mentors are working professionals and leaders in the Las Vegas community who will provide guidance, insight, and first-hand experience for students to understand pathways to their future and careers. Mentees and their mentors will schedule virtual discussions throughout the program period, with the goal of continuing this mentor/mentee relationship even beyond graduation.
Note: Mentors do NOT need to be of Asian American or Pacific Islander descent to participate.
*If you are an individual that would like to serve as a mentor to our 2025 mentees, complete our mentor form here.
Mentorship Graduation
After graduating from the mentorship program, the journey does not end there! Mentees will have the option of furthering their leadership experience and become appointed to one of two OCA LV boards:
- OCA Las Vegas Youth Leadership Committee (high school & college students and young professional)
- OCA Las Vegas Board (graduating Youth Leadership Committee member)
Program Impact
Building Next Gen Leaders since 2010
15+ years building leaders
150+ mentees graduated
100+ Mentors Participated
“Something that I’ve really taken from both of my mentors and the program was to say yes to any opportunity. In the beginning it was a no, but I gradually learned to take risks for opportunities.”
– Mentee, 2018
“I learned how to prioritize and balance work with my personal life through my mentors and the workshops in the program.”
– Mentee, 2016
“The mentors that I was connected to, have changed my view and pathway of my career that I could never have learn in school.”
– Mentee, 2014
About OCA Las Vegas
The mission of OCA Las Vegas is to provide support and empower Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) to find our voice and identity while making positive changes in the community. Our vision is to become the organization of choice and to create a thriving and engaged community of AAPI leaders for the next generation.
Sponsored By
Thank you to community sponsor supporting this event.
