Mentor Program



   
 
ADVANCING PROFESSIONALS
The Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP) administers the Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) Program. This program provides eligible environmental professionals who possess special qualifications of education, experience, and accomplishment with the opportunity to be judged by a board of peers, and if they qualify, to be recognized for their accomplishments. ABCEP is a member of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), which is the national organization responsible for accrediting engineering and technology certification programs.

The mentoring program provides candidates for the CEP a Mentor so they have support and a point of contact during their application process. The Mentor's role is to be there for these individuals and to answer questions so that the applicant has a valuable, personal, and direct link to insight about the application process." The mentoring program also provides the candidate with support for keeping the process moving along. Mentoring begins with the assignment of a Mentor to each candidate. when making assignments there is an attempt to match mentor and candidate geographically. Mentors contact the candidates, let them know who they are and why they called. The Mentor makes periodic contacts to see how the candidate is progressing on completing the application and to see if there are any questions.

The ABCEP Mentoring Program is a great resource for CEP-IT or the CEP candidates. Some benefits for either selecting a mentor or becoming one include
  • Mentoring helps both the Mentee/Applicant and the Mentor recognition their abilities and limitations, thus highlighting areas for future development.
  • Mentoring helps prompt thought about career development and career potential.
  • Mentoring can help increase the motivation of both the Mentee/Applicant and the Mentor.
  • The Mentee/Applicant can gain new direction or perspective while the mentor feels a sense of achievement when their Mentee/Applicant succeeds.
Mentoring can help you develop communication skills. Mentor and Mentee/Applicant can gain in the experience of talking to a younger or older colleague; and could help the Mentor interact better with immediate colleagues. Mentoring is also a networking opportunity.

The Mentee/Applicant may find themselves in a position where they are looking for a career change or new position.

Please CONTACT ABCEP if you have any questions regarding the Mentor Program or if you would like to have a mentor assigned to help you through the application process.

Testimonials
What’s so rewarding for me as a mentor to Shawn Desantis is that every time we talk each month I learn something new; new information about his responsibilities and leadership at the South Florida Water Management District, and new insight into his learning and thought progression as he moves forward with the CEP application process. As a result of Shawn’s welcoming personality I believe we are becoming friends. I look forward to the day later this year when Shawn celebrates his achievement of the CEP.
Ron Deverman, CEP (2018)
Park Ridge, IL
 
Ron Deverman has been my CEP-IT mentor for almost a year. I find the mentorship quite rewarding. The ability to exchange ideas with him has great value for my career. Additionally, Ron helps me set milestones to achieve my CEP.  I was not sure what to expect from the mentorship program when I started, but it provides the greatest benefit of being a CEP-IT.
Shawn Desantis, CEP-IT (2017)
Fort Pierce, FL
 
Having Heidi as my mentor has been a game changer experience. I am forever grateful to her for volunteering her time and to ABCEP for providing me with such a wonderful opportunity!  Heidi is extremely knowledgeable, patient, organized, and a great mentor! She helped me think outside of my comfort zone and helped me create long-term objectives and short-term goals to review different angles of my expertise in areas I have worked with before, under different legislations. She also encouraged me to network with ABCEP members and seek their advice and in executing mitigation projects. She also introduced me to James Yawn from RES in Florida.  Heidi is extremely knowledgeable of all things NEPA and is a lifetime learner. She is also confident and thoughtful enough to answer a question with, "I don't know, but I will find you an answer" and she does!  I am extremely grateful to have met her through the mentoring program. Heidi is someone worth spending as much time as you can with. She encouraged me to review some old projects that can be applicable to my certification process as well as learn more about new regulations and motivated me to refine my application.  I want to thank everyone from ABCEP for providing me with this incredible opportunity through the mentoring program.
Carolina Cabral Murphy, CEP Applicant
Bal Harbour, FL
 
Mentee/Applicant Information:
Review the Mentee Overview and Refer to ABCEPs Mentee Manual.

Mentor Information:
Review the Mentor Overview and Refer to ABCEPs Mentor Manual.