The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) has launched its annual mentorship programme this May, with applications open until mid-June.

The SYP first launched a six-month mentorship scheme back during the society’s 60th anniversary year, hosted by the London Committee. Spearheaded by Jason Mitchell, Senior Acquisitions Editor at Elsevier, the mentorship scheme supported 10 individuals and was designed predominantly to support those in the early stages of their publishing career. This expanded with the Scotland Committee recruiting for members in 2012/2023, and over the years different SYP branches have adopted and developed versions of the mentorship scheme. Notable moments in SYP mentorship history include the scrapping of age limits for applications in 2016, the opening up of mentorship opportunities to both members and non-members in 2020, and the broadening of the scheme to cover all branches across the UK and Ireland, also in 2020.

In 2023, the scheme successfully made over 100 connections between publishing professionals and those in their early careers or breaking into the industry. Now, during the SYP’s 75th anniversary, the organisation is continuing to provide mentorship opportunities to those looking to get into and ahead in publishing, and are looking forward to building connections and development opportunities within the industry. 

The SYP is encouraging all publishing hopefuls and early-career publishing professionals across the UK and Ireland to apply and are especially keen to engage with prospective mentees from under-represented backgrounds. The SYP’s Scotland branch will be opening applications for their branch’s scheme later this year, with more information to follow.

The SYP Mentorship scheme offers support to those seeking their first role in the industry, or those who are looking to progress within it. Mentees receive personalised, structured career advice for a period of 6 months, including 1-to-1 mentor progress meetings and networking events. The scheme will be divided into three strands: “Into”, for those looking to secure their first role in publishing; “Ahead” for those who want to advance their existing career in the industry; and “Launch” for those seeking to start their own company, freelance, or explore non-traditional options. The different branches will be offering different strands – more information on this can be found on the SYP website.

On the success of the scheme and its continuation into the SYP’s 75th anniversary, Artemis Lam, SYP UK Mentorship Lead said: “We are delighted to be running our mentorship scheme again this year as we continue to offer our Into, Ahead and Launch streams across the UK and Ireland. The mentorship scheme is a wonderful opportunity for those looking to break into the industry or take the next step in their career. We are especially grateful for the continued support of our mentors, whose experience and guidance will be invaluable to mentees. As we celebrate the SYP’s 75th anniversary, it is incredible to see how the SYP has developed. We were able to make over 100 mentee-mentor connections last year, and I am excited for the future of both the scheme and the SYP”.

A previous mentee stated: “I was able to prepare some application materials and consider career options and what it would be like in the industry. It was very helpful and I think I learned a lot”. In regard to their mentor, they said they were “kind, thoughtful, friendly and very interested in my ideas raised during our meetings. I appreciated my mentor’s time and the insights they offered in response to my ideas”.

The 2024 mentorship programme will commence in August and run until January 2025. Applications are open to both SYP members and non-members, from 20 May – 16 June.

To apply, please visit the SYP website. If you have any questions, please contact mentorship@theysp.org.uk or your regional branch mentorship officer.

Notes to editors:

The SYP is a membership organisation whose aim is to provide a supportive network and be a trusted source of information for anyone, of any age, hoping to get into or ahead in publishing or a related trade.

The SYP is made up of seven regional committees (Ireland, London, North, Oxford, Scotland, South West and Wales) and a UK committee responsible for overseeing the overall strategy of the group and producing the InPrint magazine. These teams are made up of dedicated volunteers who give up their spare time to help our members.