Personal Perspectives on an Award-Winning Mentoring Program

A comprehensive mentoring program is critical to the development of young professionals. A successful mentoring system – or a young professional development program – offers support, incentives, and opportunities. In the current job market, such a program is critical to the long-term viability of a company or institution. For a young professional, a mentoring program should be actively utilized as a resource, a tool for advancement, and a channel to company management.In 2006, Jenny Gain and I nominated our company, Brown and Caldwell, for the International Water Association's inaugural Professional Development Award. Brown and Caldwell won and we accepted the award at the World Water Congress in Beijing, China. This paper describes the award and Brown and Caldwell's mentoring program, and offers personal perspectives from a young professional.