For the second year, the SYP mentorship programme is open to applicants from any region of the UK or Ireland, regardless of whether they are SYP members. The mentorship scheme is due to start in September 2021 and will be ongoing for the following six months.

Applications for all regions are now open, excluding Scotland, whose mentorship scheme will run later in the year. Registration closes on Monday, 26 July, at 11.59pm.

Aspiring publishers will be matched with experts in the industry to receive personalised, structured careers guidance.

To make sure mentees get the most appropriate mentor for their level of experience, the scheme is split into three strands:

• INTO: For aspiring publishers looking to land their first role in the industry
• AHEAD: For publishers in the first few years of their publishing career, looking for advice on how to progress to the next level or try a new role or specialism
• LAUNCH: For freelancers, entrepreneurs or anyone who wants to get started in publishing without following a traditional in-house route

You can APPLY NOW for a place on the SYP Mentorship Scheme here.

Iram Satti, UK mentorship lead, and the UK chairs, Tanu Shelar and Amalia Mihailescu, said:

“The mentorship scheme is back for a second year across the UK, and we couldn’t be more excited. The scheme ran brilliantly last year and we want to continue to bring this great opportunity to aspiring and current publishers across the UK.

“Historically, location has been a barrier but if we learnt anything from the last 18 months, this is no longer the case for anyone aspiring to have a career in this dynamic and exciting industry.

“The UK branch are proud to be hosting both INTO and AHEAD this year for those looking to enter the industry and for those already employed who may want advice on progression.”

Amy Potter and Natalie Dale, South West committee chairs, said:

“Following our successful first mentorship scheme last year, the South West committee is very excited to continue with their INTO and AHEAD strands.

“The mentors we have lined up this year are all professionals from across the industry, from freelance writers, commissioning editors, design specialists, and publishers, to a few.

“Many of our mentors from last year have come back to continue the scheme after a successful first year. We hope our scheme this year is as successful and rewarding for both mentors and mentees as it was last year.”

Caroline Guillet and Charlotte Parr SYP Oxford co-chairs, said:

“We are thrilled to be launching the INTO strand as it perfectly resonates with our student-led audience who are working very hard to get their first job in the industry.”

Omara Elling-Hwang and Farzana Khan, SYP London co-chairs, said:

“SYP London are so excited to be bringing back all three of our mentorship streams for 2021: INTO, AHEAD and unique to London, LAUNCH.”

Elizabeth Beck and Rosie Hilton SYP North co-chairs, said:

‘After such a successful first year of the SYP mentorship scheme’s expansion into the northern branch in 2020, we are so excited to welcome a new cohort of mentors, to welcome back some wonderful mentors, and to bring on some brilliant new mentors as well.”

Elizabeth Goldrick, SYP Ireland chair, said:

“This is the second year the Ireland committee are offering the mentorship programme and this year we are running both INTO and AHEAD streams. We’re excited to help connect people and stimulate the exchange of ideas, tips and insight.”

SYP Scotland co-chairs Sonali Misra and Grace Balfour-Harle, said:

“After the success of our fully digital mentorship scheme last year, we’re thrilled to launch the eighth edition of our INTO scheme in October, with applications for mentees opening on 20 August.

“This year, we’re excited to also organise the AHEAD scheme, which will take place simultaneously.”