OCA Las Vegas Mentorship Program

April - June, 2021

*2021 application deadline has now passed for mentees and mentors*

APPLICATION OPEN
February 9, 2021
DEADLINE
March 31, 2021
INTERVIEWS
Until April 3, 2021
SELECTION
By April 4, 2021

2021 Special Program Feature:

Learning Advocacy Through BTS

For the month of June, mentorship program workshops and assignments will center around GRAMMY-nominated Korean artists and global music phenomenon BTS. We will focus on themes such as how the group is empowering a generation of leaders in the AAPI community, what we can learn through their "Speak Yourself" message, and key takeaways from the fandom's incredible power and drive to change the world. The month will be organized by OCA Las Vegas board member Nicole Santero (ResearchBTS). *Special guest speakers to be announced.

Program Overview

For over the last decade, OCA's mentorship program has helped to ensure that college students are career and community ready. The program is more exciting than ever in 2021 as we have now opened it up 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 in order to develop and learn valuable insights related to career, service, and even life skills. After completing the program, mentees will graduate and 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 reach out to communications@ocalasvegas.org.

   

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

  • High school, college students (both undergraduate and graduate), and young professionals who have just graduated from college.
  • Individuals who are driven to become community leaders, motivated to learn, and wanting to build on personal and professional development.

BENEFITS:

  • Be mentored by leaders in the community
  • Personal and professional development
  • Opportunities for letters of recommendations and references
  • Add leadership and community development experience to resume

PROGRAM PERIOD:

  • Saturday, April 10 - Start of program / orientation
  • Saturday, June 26 - End of program
  • July (date TBD) - Graduation celebration / Mentees become OCA Board Members

WORKSHOPS:

Students will be asked to attend six workshops focused on various topics and with a range of guest speakers. A full program schedule will be shared with mentees at orientation (Saturday, April 10). Workshops will take place on Saturdays from April through June, and prior to each workshop. * To ensure the safety of our mentees, speakers, and staff, all workshops are tentatively scheduled to be virtual.
Topics to be featured: 
  • What is OCA Las Vegas and how can you help your community?
  • Resume building and interview skills
  • Strategies for personal success
  • Leadership and becoming a hero in your community.
  • Communication and public speaking
  • Advocacy through BTS and ARMY

MENTORSHIP:

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 in their field or study of interest. 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.

*If you are an individual that would like to serve as a mentor to our 2021 mentees, please fill out this form.    

OTHER PROJECTS:

In addition to attending workshops, mentees will be asked to complete fun and easy reflection assignments that will help them prepare for the workshop discussions. Additionally, mentees may be asked to assist in OCA Las Vegas community projects and events.

BECOMING A BOARD MEMBER:

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 three OCA LV boards:

  • OCA Las Vegas Junior Advocates Board (high school students)
  • OCA Las Vegas Next Generation Board (college students)
  • OCA Las Vegas Board (young professionals)
   

Program Eligibility

  1. High school, college students (both undergraduate and graduate), or young professionals who have just graduated from college.
  2. Students must currently be attending or must have recently graduated from a school in the Greater Las Vegas area.
  3. Any major or interest of study is welcome to apply.
  4. Applicants do not need to be of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent.
  5. Individuals who are driven to become community leaders, motivated to learn, and wanting to build on personal and professional development.

 

Majors of previous mentees

General Majors
8%
Business/Hospitality
60%
Engineering
10%
Health Sciences
22%

BUILDING NEXT GEN LEADERS SINCE 2010

 

11 years building leaders

 

60+ Mentees Graduated

 

90+ Mentors Participated

From past mentees

"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. After the mentorship program, they are always people that I rely on for guidance."

- Mentee, 2014

About OCA Las Vegas

The mission of OCA Las Vegas is to advocate for the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in Southern Nevada. OCA Las Vegas promotes civic participation, education, and leadership development across the Asian Pacific American community.