LiS PROGRAMS
Inclusive Mentorship Program
When more BIPOC mentors exist, more BIPOC individuals can succeed. LiS believes inclusive mentorship is one pathway to increase Latinx representation in the sustainability field and guide young people into meaningful careers. Inclusive mentorship includes matching young people with professionals who have a profound understanding of their challenges because of similar lived experiences. These challenges can include being first-generation or being the first in your family to attend college. Since 2022, LiS has led our Inclusive Mentorship Program to match folks with common lived experiences, which makes them the best source of knowledge for how to overcome barriers and navigate this new and emerging sustainability field. Over the last 2 years, our Inclusive Mentorship Program matched nearly 40 individuals with common lived experiences. As program administrators, LiS will facilitate the matching based on commonalities, provide ongoing support, and host quarterly charlas.
We are now opening our applications to become a mentor or mentee, and new cohorts will be established in June!
Professional Development Stipend
LiS understands that an individual’s socio-economic situation can also be a barrier to inclusion and advancement in the sustainability industry. Since 2022, LiS has been providing stipends to our network members for professional development. The stipend can be used for a variety of activities including but not limited to exam fees, conference registration, professional development courses or trainings, etc. LiS will continue to run this effort while funds allow. So far we have been able to give $1,150 in funds.
The application process includes a short, 100 - 250 words, write up explaining what the stipend will be used for and how it will benefit the applicant's career goals.
CCNY Sustainability Level-Up
LiS is excited to share our partnership with the City College of New York (CCNY) on a workforce development program for sustainability/engineering students seeking careers in the sustainability industry. The program (known as Sustainability Level Up) will be held as an accredited course under the Grove School of Engineering for the Fall of 2023. LiS intends to make this recurring course, with the first iteration in the Fall of 2023. The format of the course will be a volunteer-led speaker series including occasional site visits, with assignments related to sustainability research topics and professional development. This format is intended to provide CCNY students with both the knowledge of relevant sustainability topics, and also the tools and network necessary to excel in their job search. Lectures will be led by sustainability professionals from the Greater NY area, the majority of whom are CCNY alumni themselves.
Through Level Up, LiS will bridge the gap between the racially and socio-economically diverse students of CCNY and the inaccessibility of climate careers. Are you an employer and/or nonprofit looking to support these students in their professional journeys?