Let's find your first #datafriend
Six 30-minute calls connecting early career data pros with friendly volunteer mentors from the data community.New cohorts matched at the beginning of every month.
Free mentorship.
If you’re just getting started or in your first year of a data career, I’ll connect you with a seasoned data professional! I’ll match you with someone who has the experience you’re looking for, and you can ask them anything you want.All you need to do is fill out a quick, but detailed, questionnaire, and we’ll send you your match at the beginning of next month!
Anyone can be a mentor.
We’re asking for as many people as possible to give just three hours over six months to help welcome and guide someone new into our community.Whether you’re in your first job or have years of experience, you can make a difference. Every data professional has something valuable to share with those coming into the field. All you need is a year of data experience to start giving back!
Code of conduct.
Everyone be kind and cool. Seriously.
We’re committed to creating a safe community for new data professionals to grow. As such, all participants and organizers are expected to treat each other with respect and kindness.
Harrassment
Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to, offensive comments related to one’s identity (race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.), unwelcome sexual advances or physical touching, stalking, mean-spirited behavior, or disruption.Any participant who engages in harassment will be immediately removed from the community, including being expelled from any calls and blocked on all social media platforms.
Not all unwelcoming behavior is harassment. Many tech spaces are rife with more subtle forms of exclusionary behavior. While harder to identify, these behaviors can still be harmful to a community, especially to its newest members, who are still finding their feet. It is important that we go above and beyond to treat each other with kindness and dignity.
If you make a mistake
Nobody is perfect, and we will all make mistakes. If you have inadvertently said something hurtful to other members of the community, it is important to apologize as soon as possible and to educate yourself so as not to repeat the same behavior. Similarly, if you see someone engaging in microaggressions, let them (or the organizer) know so they have the opportunity to learn from their mistake.One-off, accidental instances of hurtful language will not be considered harassment, and the organizer will do their best to mediate smaller conflicts. However, repeated or intentional incidents will be considered harassment and are grounds for removal from this program.
Reporting and Enforcement
If you witness a violation to this code of conduct either during a meeting or within the community (e.g. email or LinkedIn), please contact organizer David Blackwelder at [email protected]. Swift action will be taken to enforce the code of conduct, including mediating more minor conflicts or removing individuals from the community entirely.
Frequently asked questions
| I'm too early in my career to offer advice. | Imagine how helpful it would have been to have someone just a year or two into their career, who recently went through the interview process and the challenges of starting a new job. They were once in a similar situation to yours. Still think you have nothing to offer? You certainly do. |
| I’m afraid I’d be a terrible mentor. | You never truly understand something until you’ve had to explain it to someone else. This will benefit you as much as it helps them! |
| What should we discuss? | Feel free to ask whatever you'd like. Just remember that your mentor might not have all the answers or may offer a unique perspective. |
| Is there a set syllabus or structure to follow? | No, this isn’t formal training. Your mentor is volunteering their time, so it’s up to you to decide what you want to achieve and communicate that. A list of questions is a great starting point! |
| How honest should I be during this process? | Complete honesty is key to making this mentorship valuable. That said, remember an early career data professional might lack context or have less confidence than you. So have empathy as well as honesty. |
| Should I inform my manager about my participation? | You can if you’d like—there’s no reason to keep it confidential. Many workplaces have mentors or buddies, so think of this as an additional resource. |
| When will I know if I've been paired? | Matches are made at the start of each month, based on applications received the previous month. It’s first-come, first-served, but priority will be given to underrepresented groups. |
| How long does the program last? | The default expectation is six monthly calls, each lasting about 30 minutes. However, if you and your mentor agree to adjust the schedule or extend the timeline, feel free to do so. |
| What platform should we use for meetings? | Most meetings will take place over Zoom or Google Meet. In-person meetings might be an option in some cases, but they are not required. |
| How are mentors and mentees matched? | Matching is based on several factors, including your preferences and what you’re looking for. I also try to match people who are geographically close when possible. |
| What if my match doesn’t respond or disappears? | I’ll send reminders to both parties to prevent this, but if it happens, just reach out, and I’ll work on matching you in the next cohort. |
| What if the mentorship isn’t working out? | It’s okay if you and your mentor don’t click. Either of you can choose to end the mentorship at any time. |
| Can I mentor more than one person? | In theory, yes, but that’s something you’d have to arrange on your own. |
Who is running this?
At the moment, it’s just one volunteer running the show, handling all the admin and spreadsheets.
David Blackwelder - Organizer