Mentor Program
ADVANCING PROFESSIONALS The ABCEP Mentoring Program is a volunteer program that is administered by Mentors who are CEPs, the ABEP Executive Administrator, and an Operational Committee. The program supports CEP Applicants and CEP-ITs. Mentors serve in two primary roles – CEP Applicant Advisor, and CEP-IT Career Coach. The mentoring roles are undertaken based on the needs of the Mentee.
A CEP-IT Career Coach focuses on a Mentee’s professional and career development strategies, including those that should ultimately help CEP-ITs advance to the CEP designation. This role is expected to last a minimum of one year. Mentor assignments by the ABCEP Executive Administrator typically occur upon completion of the CEP-IT application.
A CEP Applicant Advisor supports CEP Applicants as they prepare and submit their CEP applications. Mentor assignments by the ABCEP Office Administrator typically occur upon submission of the CEP application along with the associated, initial application fee. Applicant Advisors are a first point of contact during the application development process and provide support through the application review process. In this role the Mentor supports the Applicant through the mechanics of the process, but the Mentor
cannot coach the Applicant on specific content for responses to application requirements. If the applicant is initially successful and achieves the CEP designation – typically within a period of about six months – the Mentor’s efforts have been successful! If the applicant is not initially successful, the Mentor would help that candidate plan and develop strategies to address any deficiencies and to achieve the CEP designation, and the Mentor would guide the Mentee as they implement those strategies.
The ABCEP Mentoring Program is a great resource for CEP-IT or CEP candidates. Some benefits for either accepting a Mentor or becoming one include:- Mentoring helps both the Mentee and the Mentor recognize 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 and the Mentor.
- The Mentee can gain new direction or perspective while the Mentor feels a sense of achievement when their Mentee succeeds.
Mentoring can help you develop communication skills. Mentors and Mentees 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 excellent networking opportunity.
Please CONTACT ABCEP if you have any questions regarding the Mentoring Program, or if you would like to have a Career Coach assigned to help you through your CEP-IT journey or have an Applicant Advisor support you with the application process
TestimonialsWhat’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
I work with a lot of engineers, program managers, and others whose credentials are exemplified by their letters. Being a Certified Environmental Professional has given me recognition on org charts, in client presentations, and in interviews as I rise in my career to demonstrate that not only does my experience demonstrate my achievements and reputation, but that my colleagues within the industry have vetted and awarded me this recognition. A Certified Environmental Professional is someone who is at the top of their career having profound experience technically, in project management, in people management and further who has a network and reputation of giving back to the industry. Being a Certified Environmental Professional has been a foundational element in my career and when I look at my fellow CEPs I’m proud to be among them.
Leslie Tice, CEP
Walnut Creek, CA
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. 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. 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:
Review the Mentee Overview and Refer to ABCEPs Mentee Manual.
Mentor Information:
Review the Mentor Overview and Refer to ABCEPs Mentor Manual.