FDAAA Transition Mentoring Pilot for Former Human Foods Program (HFP) Staff
The FDA Alumni Association understands that many FDA staff who have recently left FDA (or are on administrative leave) are facing an unplanned professional transition. Our organization is fortunate to have experienced FDA alumni who’ve made the transition from FDA to other jobs/roles and these FDAAA members want to support you by offering free, short-term transition mentoring. The purpose of this mentoring is to help you clarify your purpose/next steps/strategies to achieve the professional results you are seeking. The FDAAA mentors have a range of backgrounds and expertise, including policy/legal, compliance, regulatory or laboratory science, and international. Right now, this transition mentoring is being offered to former Human Foods Program (HFP) employees who have been recently furloughed, laid off, put on administrative leave, or are otherwise unemployed as a result of executive action and federal workforce reductions. The pilot initially targets HFP staff, and we will use learnings from the pilot to evaluate whether to expand the program to other parts of FDA.
THE DEADLINE FOR REQUESTING A MENTOR IS TUESDAY, JUNE 3.
Key details:
- The mentoring is free.
- Participation is first-come/first-served, based on the number of available FDAAA mentors.
- We will make an effort to match mentees with FDAAA mentors based on mentor profiles and a mentee’s answers to the intake questions, e.g., professional experience.
- A mentor will provide up to 3 sessions (30-60 mins each). Any arrangement beyond 3 sessions is up to the mentor and mentee.
- The mentoring will focus on thinking about your private sector transition; your FDAAA mentor may be able to help you identify the need for other resources, like head hunters and resume review, but don’t expect your mentor to refer you to or for specific jobs.
- Both mentors and mentees must be members of the FDAAA. Note that membership is free for 2025 for those recently separated, and you can join the FDAAA here: https://www.fdaaa.org/memberships/
- Once matched, the FDAAA members running the program will send an email introducing you and your mentor. You two will take it from there. You and your FDAAA mentor will decide on frequency of sessions (e.g., once a week, once a month, etc.) and modality (e.g., phone, Google Meet, Zoom, Signal, etc.).
- We expect that communications between mentors and mentees with be confidential.
- Mentees should also consult the FDAAA Resources page: https://www.fdaaa.org/resources-for-fda-staff/
Here's how it works:
Fill out the form on the next page to receive free coaching and provide basic information.
By signing up for FDAAA’s career transition mentoring, you:
1. Affirm that you are a former FDA employee who has been recently furloughed, laid off, put on administrative leave, or are otherwise unemployed as a result of executive action and federal workforce reductions.
2. Agree to hold the organizers and mentors harmless and exonerate them from any liability occasioned or claimed in connection with the coaching provided under this agreement.
3. Agree that mentoring conversations do not constitute therapy, nor do they constitute legal, financial, or business advice.
Note on Privacy: Neither the mentors’ nor the mentees’ information will be shared with anyone beyond the organizers of this effort.
Note on Mentoring: Mentoring is a partnership. We believe a mentor’s primary role is to support your transition planning with questions and curiosity to help you clarify your purpose/next steps/strategies to achieve the professional results you are seeking.