The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) is offering a free Mentor Match program for members. The program is part of the IAFP’s commitment to the professional development of its members. 

Mentor Match is the latest addition to an expanding line-up of IAFP services to support members’ professional development needs. It is an online tool – including a searchable database. The program is designed to facilitate the establishment of mentoring relationships. It is user-driven, allowing registered mentees to search among registered mentors using specified criteria to find individuals whose experience and expertise match their areas of interest. 

This online networking and career development tool helps members connect and share their experiences with others. Mentor or mentee can be in the same city or around the world.

IAFP officials think that each person has a unique set of skills and experiences to share with others — whether they are a Ph.D. student, new to an industry, or a professional with many years of experience, they have lessons that another person can draw on.

Matching recommendations are provided to the mentee in their profile under mentoring. The mentee can click the names of the potential mentors to view their profiles. once the mentee has decided on a mentor, they will click on the mentor badge to request that person as their mentor. An email will be sent to the mentor alerting them that they have been requested. The Mentor will be able to accept or decline the request.

The IAFP asks that mentors and mentees commit to a 12-month relationship starting June 1 and concluding May 30 of the following year. They recommend that  mentors and mentees agree on a schedule that works best for both.