Help shape the next generation of IP professionals
The Careers in Ideas initiative is seeking volunteers from the IP sector to mentor aspiring recruits and help them navigate their way into the profession.
Following the success of the Careers in Ideas Summer of IP 2026 campaign, demand for mentoring has grown, with trade mark professionals and IP solicitors highly sought after.
Run by IP Inclusive, the Careers in Ideas Mentoring Hub launched in 2021 with a simple mission: to bring a more diverse range of people into the IP professions and ensure that outstanding careers are within reach of those who might otherwise be excluded.
Guiding newcomers into IP
Mentors offer one-to-one guidance to a range of potential recruits, from students and graduates, to career changers and people struggling to get a foot in the door. Your support can help remove barriers, build newcomers' confidence and provide practical insight on entry requirements across the sector.
A typical mentoring relationship lasts one to three months. The initiative also provides training and support for all mentors, from using the online platform to general mentoring techniques.
Mentoring for members
Mentoring doesn’t stop once you’re in the profession. Our award-winning CITMA Mentoring scheme is an online platform designed to directly connect you with fellow practitioners, providing a space to share experiences and learn from each other while supporting both personal and professional growth.
When you first join the scheme, you can build your profile and specify the areas you're most interested in discussing. You'll then be given an initial match, making it easy to find and manage your mentoring relationships.
If you can offer some of your time through mentoring, there are many benefits:
- The satisfaction of helping a junior colleague reach their goals
- Broader skills, including communication, and fresh thinking for you and your organisation
- Exposure to different perspectives
- A wider professional network
To volunteer as a Careers in Ideas mentor, email [email protected] and visit our website to find out more about CITMA Mentoring.