The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced a new online program, MentorMatch, designed to pair experienced professionals with fellow colleagues looking for career guidance or industry information. The MentorMatch program seeks to promote professional development, networking, and overall member engagement.

By signing up on SWANA’s members-only social network, members can register as either “mentors” or “mentees,” or both, and match with other professionals in their area of interest. After matching, members enter into a mentoring relationship for the next six months where mentors are available as a resource to discuss career development, professional goals and give industry-specific advice.

“We are excited to launch MentorMatch as our newest member benefit,” SWANA Director of Membership Darryl Walter said in a statement. “Through this program, mentors and mentees can make connections with their fellow colleagues and in turn, help each other grow personally and professionally."

“Many of SWANA’s rapidly growing membership are Young Professionals or others who are still learning about the industry; at the same time, many members have decades of solid waste experience,” SWANA Executive Director and CEO David Biderman said in a statement. “MentorMatch provides a terrific way for the younger and newer members to learn more about this great industry, make new connections, and enhance their expertise. I hope that many of SWANA’s more than 9,000 members take advantage of this program, which benefits not just the individuals involved, but the industry as a whole.”