Mentorship Program
The Mentorship Program is intended to support mentees who are:
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members of NYCT; and
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recent graduates or students in their last semester of a translating and/or interpreting (or related) program from official institutions.
Those wishing to participate in the program must complete all the required fields in the corresponding form and fulfill the requirements below.
The objective of the program is to support the entry of newly graduated professionals into the translation and/or interpreting market, guided by more experienced colleagues. Additionally, it aims to foster ethical and respectful professional practices.
Stay tuned for an announcement of the 1st cohort date.
Questions? Contact us.
Benefits
Participants in the Mentorship Program will receive guidance during the early stages of their professional career.
Program
I) Objectives
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To support the integration of newly graduated professionals into the translation or interpreting market, guided by more seasoned colleagues willing to provide recent graduates with guidance during the initial stages of their professional careers.
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To promote ethical and respectful professional practices.
This is a non-profit program and does not constitute a contract or imply any promise of employment between the parties. No party will receive any financial compensation or remuneration for their participation in the program.
II) Definition of Terms Used
For the purposes of this program, the terms mentee and mentor are defined as follows:
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Mentee: A member of NYCT who receives guidance from a more experienced professional — the mentor.
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Mentor: An active, associate, honorary, or lifetime member of NYCT or any other known national or international Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association who has expressed their willingness to guide and support a novice professional — the mentee — during the initial stages of their career.
Any exceptions not covered by these definitions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In all such instances, final approval for participation in the program will be subject to the binding decision of the NYCT Mentorship Committee.
III) Eligibility
Mentees must meet the following requirements:
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Graduation Date: Applicants must be in their last semester or have graduated within up to 3 years prior to submitting their application to participate in the program.
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NYCT Membership: Applicants must be active NYCT members.
IV) Program
Start:
Eligible NYCT members may choose to participate in the Mentorship Program during the enrollment period (see “Timeframe”). Once the professional is accepted into the program, a mentor will be assigned based on the availability of mentors within NYCT.
The mentor will be selected from a pool of experienced professionals who have voluntarily offered to serve as mentors, and have been approved as such by the Mentorship Committee. To this end, NYCT will issue a call for volunteers among its active members.
Duration:
The minimum duration of the mentoring process is 6 months, but it may be extended due to unforeseeable circumstances and with the approval of both mentor and mentee.
At the end of the six-month program, both mentee and mentor will be required to complete a survey about their experience, feedback, and overall evaluation of the program. Mentee and mentor are also both invited to submit an article for the Gotham Translator about their experience.
Completion:
Six months after the start of the program, the mentor-mentee relationship will be formally concluded, and all rights and obligations under the program will expire.
V) Timeframe
Enrollment in the Mentorship Program:
The enrollment will take place once a year and the mentorship will start once the Mentorship Committee assigns a mentor to the mentee and puts them in touch. Stay tuned for an announcement of the enrollment schedule for 2025-2026.
Duration of the Program:
The Mentorship Program has a fixed duration of six months. After this period, the mentor-mentee relationship is considered concluded within the framework of the program. Any continued contact between the professionals beyond this point will fall outside the scope and responsibility of the NYCT. Each mentee may only participate in the program once.
Interaction Guidelines:
The number, length, and frequency of consultations will be determined by mutual agreement between mentor and mentee. Email is the recommended method of communication; however, the mentor may choose to use alternative means (e.g., phone or virtual meetings) if deemed appropriate.
The mentee must not exceed a maximum of one consultation per week.
VI) Responsibilities, Rights, and Limitations of the Parties
a. Mentor's Commitment:
Once the mentor has expressed their intent to participate in the program and accepted the mentee in writing via email to the Mentorship Committee, they formally commit to guiding the mentee within the selected specialization. “Guidance” includes, in an exhaustive and inclusive manner, the following tasks:
i. Advising on how to draft quotes and write professional responses to current clients, as well as how to present proposals to new or potential clients.
ii. Advice on invoicing practices and available payment methods for translators and interpreters.
iii. Suggestions for entering the market in the selected specialization.
iv. Recommendations on how to handle complex translation or interpreting projects (due to length, duration, or subject matter).
v. Recommendations for bibliographic and reference materials.
vi. Advice on professional conduct with translation agencies, studios, clients, and colleagues.
Mentors are expected to respond to mentees’ inquiries within a reasonable time frame, not exceeding one week, unless mentor has previously communicated their non-availability for a determined period.
b. Right to Refrain:
Mentors may refrain from providing guidance if a professional conflict of interest arises or if they lack the necessary expertise, with prior notice to both the Mentorship Committee and the mentee.
c. Non-Commercial Nature:
All guidance must be offered altruistically, with no financial gain.
d. Legal Matters:
Mentorship does not include legal advice in the event of disputes with clients. The mentor’s responsibility is limited to general, good-faith guidance.
e. Withdrawal from the Program:
Mentors have the right to leave the program at any time, but not while assigned to a mentee. They may step down only after the six-month cycle is complete, by notifying the Mentorship Committee via email.
If a mentor has an assigned mentee, the mentor may resign only due to certified health issues or force majeure. In such cases, the mentee may reapply to the program. NYCT’s commitment is limited to mentor availability.
Mentees have the right to leave the program at any time upon providing written notification to the Mentorship Committee.
f. Conflict Resolution:
Any issue arising between mentor and mentee must be reported to the Mentorship Committee, which will attempt mediation. However, NYCT bears no responsibility for program outcomes or guidance provided.
Each mentee may receive only one mentor per cycle, whose role is strictly to offer guidance as defined in item (VI) above.
g. Conduct:
Mentees and mentors are expected to act professionally in both behavior and communication.
h. Nature of Guidance:
The guidance and suggestions provided by the mentor are non-binding. The mentee may choose whether or not to apply them in their professional practice.
i. No Work Exchange:
Mentees shall not expect or request work from their mentor, either during or after the program. The program offers no guarantees of employment or income—only professional orientation.
j. Subjectivity of Advice:
Mentors offer guidance based on personal experience. These are not universal rules or guaranteed formulas. If the suggested advice does not yield desired results, the mentee may not hold the mentor responsible under any circumstance.
k. Breach of Rules:
Any participant who violates these terms may be removed from the program.