Mentoring students and young professionals using an online interface

The Ohio Public Health Association, an American Public Health Association affiliate which has more than 400 members, developed an online mentorship program in 2004. Sponsored by the Academic Section, this is a program for public health professions students and young professionals to connect to mentors all over Ohio. The program is known as “GURU” or “Guidance U Receive by URL.” The mentors, drawn from the public health academic programs and public health practitioner organizations, are known as “GURUs.” Students or young professionals can click on the career category of interest and select any of the GURUs listed on the page to contact. Each GURU has a profile, specifying contact, background, and professional information. Until recently, this program was not promoted widely. When the Ohio Public Health Association web site was renovated, the program was revitalized and a process to evaluate was developed. This effort represents a collaboration of the state public health association, all of the public health academic programs and public health practitioners in Ohio. Maintenance of the program involves a small contribution of time by a few people.