3AF NextGen Leaders
Developing Tomorrow's Leaders: Empowering Rising AAPI Talent in Marketing, Advertising, and Creative Industries
About the Program
3AF, in partnership with Asians in Advertising, proudly launches the 2024-2025 NextGen Mentorship Program, a vital initiative established in 2021 to cultivate emerging AAPINH talent in advertising and creative fields. With more than 450 applicants for this cycle, we'll connect 200+ individuals for a program running from October to February. This program's rapid growth since inception underscores the community's demand for such mentorship.
NextGen fosters invaluable connections, benefiting both mentors and mentees, with many pairings maintaining ongoing relationships. Designed to empower rising AAPINH leaders, the program offers targeted guidance and industry insights. It also provides professionals with a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from the next generation of consumer advocates.
Matched mentors and mentees will engage in monthly sessions over six months, supplemented by virtual and in-person activities. A structured curriculum, featuring monthly themes, encourages mutual learning and long-term relationships. Participants also gain access to exclusive speaker series, workshops, and networking events, fostering peer connections and industry knowledge.
Additionally, participants enjoy exclusive perks, including meet-and-greets with AIA and 3AF board members, early access and discounts to workshops and panels, and curated industry resources. For future program inquiries, please contact AsianAdNextGen@gmail.com.
Photo credit: Steven Lam
Qualifications
MENTEES
Mentee Qualifications:
- <5 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, advertising (career pivoters are welcome!)
- Dedicated and committed to making the most of your time with your mentor
- Want to work on specific action item
- Willing to bring new perspective
- Please note that due to constraints, we unfortunately will not be taking any current undergraduate students. Program is meant for those currently in the industry.
Mentee Commitments:
- Mentees will be responsible for following up and setting up meetings with Mentors, confirming schedules, etc.
- 1 x Monthly Meeting w/ Mentors
- 1 x Monthly Meeting for workshops, speakers and happy hours
- 1 x Orientation Meeting w/ 3AF
- Available during Sep 2024 – Mar 2025
MENTORS
Mentor Qualifications:
- 10+ years of industry experience
- Dedicated and committed to spending time with your mentees
- Openness to open your network to help Mentees
- Share your personal journey and help mentees shape theirs
Mentor Commitments:
- 1x Monthly Meeting w/ Mentee
- 1 x Orientation Meeting w/ 3AF
- Available during Sep 2024 – Mar 2025
During 2022-2023, the Asian American Advertising Federation was proud to pair over 400+ mentor and mentee industry professionals. We saw an exponential increase in applicants from our first year in 2021! Throughout the six month program, mentors and mentees met once a month (virtually) for one-on-ones, workshops, panels, and end of the year in-person mixers. The program was a success with motivated individuals from around the Country coming together to learn and grow!
A huge thanks to those who helped shape program in beginning stages: Landon Nguyen, Suzie Bao, Natalie Gatbonton, Clara Luo, Jessalin Lam, Bernice Chao, Jay Kim, Dan Matthews, Paula Cuerquis, and Elliot Lum.
FAQ
Absolutely! Please email us at AsianAdNextGen@gmail.com to be contacted in the future!
Ultimately it’s up to the mentor & mentee for what they get out of the experience. Life happens and it’s completely fine if sessions get missed or if you need to reschedule. We just request that both mentors and mentees communicate with one another and if there are any issues, please bring them up!
Yes! We plan to have some in-person events throughout the year. Also – we plan to activate around smaller cohorts to meet more frequently or find opportunities to gather either online or in-person. We’ve found that people end up meeting offline in various other ways – either planning to meet at conferences, separate events, etc. We encourage and hope that you proactively set these up!
Depending on level of interest from mentees & mentors, we’ll adjust the program accordingly
If you’d like to be considered as a mentor, we’d LOVE to have you. We are seeking industry professionals with knowledge to share & a passion to teach! Please contact us at AsianAdNextGen@gmail.com with “Mentor” in the subject line.