Tech talk: Two-way tech growth: mutual gains in modern mentorship

Tuesday, November 10th, 2026 1 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

This session explores Breaking into a specialized industry can be intimidating, and standard networking events often end with veterans sticking together while newcomers stay on the sidelines. Join us for an engaging 45-minute Tech Talk that introduces EP Pathways—a fresh, dynamic approach designed to break down these traditional silos and create genuine, long-term technical connections across the EOS/ESD Association community.

Unlike traditional top-down mentorship, EP Pathways runs on a reciprocal model: while emerging professionals (EP) sharpen their core ESD technical skills, industry veterans gain valuable insights into new digital tools, emerging tech trends, and shifting workplace cultures. During this session, you will explore how the program works, starting with our fast-paced "Micro-Talk" matching format. Borrowing from the PechaKucha style (20 slides, 20 seconds each), prospective mentors share their background and expertise in a rapid-fire presentation—lowering the barrier to entry, sparking organic conversations, and making mentor selection seamless and fun.

We will detail how these initial interactions transition into a low-friction, high-impact 12-month commitment (just one hour per month, online or in-person for each mentor/mentee pair) designed to foster year-round collaboration and technical growth. To give you a direct feel for the energy and speed of this format, the Tech Talk features a live 4-minute, 12-slide sample Micro-Talk delivered by a participating mentor. Discover how you can participate as a mentor or mentee, help shape the future of our technical community, and build partnerships that drive the industry forward.