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Whether it’s guiding someone through their career path, offering life advice, or helping a mentee unlock their potential, mentorship is one of the most powerful tools for growth and connection in our personal and professional lives. And International Mentoring Day provides a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on these invaluable relationships.
In 2025, International Mentoring Day will be celebrated on January 17th as part of National Mentoring Month, a month-long celebration that emphasizes the importance of mentoring, encourages participation in mentoring programs, and raises awareness about the value of mentorship.
(By the way—we’re celebrating National Mentoring Month throughout the month of January with free, live events—and you’re invited! Join us for expert panels and fireside chants designed to help you drive learning, retention, and engagement at your organization through mentorship programs. Register now.)
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the history and significance of International Mentoring Day, and offer tips and tricks for celebrating it in your organization.
Let’s dive in!
What is International Mentoring Day?
International Mentoring Day is a global celebration that emphasizes the value of mentoring relationships in fostering growth, bridging skill gaps, and employee empowerment. It encourages people from diverse backgrounds to reflect on how mentoring relationships shape employees and organizations. The day is also a call to action for people to become mentors, ensuring that mentorship is accessible to all.
For HR and L&D teams, this day is an opportunity to:
- Highlight the role of mentorship in career development and employee engagement
- Recognize and reward mentors who contribute to the organization’s growth
- Showcase the impact of mentoring programs as essential components of workplace learning strategies
Why should companies celebrate International Mentoring Day?
Organizations can use International Mentoring Day as an opportunity to enhance existing programs, promote mentorship amongst employees, and recognize the contributions of mentors. Celebrating International Mentoring Day supports key L&D objectives, like:
- Reinforces the value of mentorship programs: Recognizing mentors elevates the visibility of mentoring activities and underscores their importance to your organization’s success.
- Encourages program participation: Celebrations can inspire more employees to become mentors or mentees, increasing the reach and impact of your program.
- Drives engagement and retention: Mentoring relationships foster deeper connections, enhancing employee satisfaction and reducing turnover.
- Promotes knowledge sharing: Mentorship accelerates the transfer of institutional knowledge, ensuring that critical skills and expertise stay within the company.
How to celebrate International Mentoring Day at your company
Now that you have a better understanding of why it’s important to celebrate International Mentoring Day at your organization, how do you get started? We’ve got you covered with some ideas on how to celebrate International Mentoring Day.
1. Host a mentor appreciation event
Show gratitude to your company’s mentors by organizing an appreciation breakfast, luncheon, or virtual event. Recognize their contributions with awards, thank-you speeches, or personalized notes from their mentees.
2. Share success stories
Highlight impactful mentorship relationships in your organization. Share testimonials, case studies, or videos of mentors and mentees discussing how mentorship has contributed to their growth and career development.
3. Organize a mentorship fair
Set up an internal mentorship fair to promote existing professional mentoring programs and recruit new participants. Allow employees to meet potential mentors, explore mentorship tracks, and learn how to join the program.
4. Offer professional development workshops
Provide training for mentors and mentees to enhance their skills. Topics might include effective communication, active listening, goal-setting, and navigating challenges in mentoring relationships.
5. Launch or expand a mentorship program
Use International Mentoring Day to introduce a new workplace mentoring program or expand an existing one. Add specialized tracks, such as leadership development, technical upskilling and reskilling, or diversity-focused mentorship.
6. Facilitate reverse mentoring sessions
Encourage intergenerational learning by hosting reverse mentoring sessions. Pair senior leaders with younger employees who can share insights on technology, culture, or new industry trends.
7. Create a digital campaign
Celebrate the day on your company’s social media and internal platforms. Share quotes, videos, or infographics about the value of mentorship. Use hashtags like #InternationalMentoringDay and #MentorTogether.
8. Host a panel discussion or fireside chat
Invite mentors and mentees to discuss their experiences and insights in a live or virtual panel. This can inspire employees to engage with mentorship and highlight the program’s benefits.
9. Recognize mentors publicly
Acknowledge mentors during company-wide meetings, town halls, or newsletters. Offer symbolic tokens of appreciation, such as certificates, plaques, or a feature on the company blog.
10. Partner with external organizations
Collaborate with local schools, nonprofits, or community groups to promote mentorship beyond your organization. Host joint events or encourage employees to volunteer as mentors in the broader community.
Get started celebrating International Mentoring Day 2025
International Mentoring Day is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact mentorship has on individuals and organizations alike. By celebrating this day, your company can spotlight the value of mentoring relationships, recognize the contributions of mentors, and inspire more employees to participate in mentorship programs. Whether through events, workshops, or community partnerships, honoring this day fosters a culture of learning, connection, and growth that benefits everyone involved.
And International Mentoring Day is just one date on the National Mentoring Month calendar! I Am a Mentor Day, MLK Day of Service, and Thank Your Mentor Day all present unique opportunities to celebrate the impact of mentorship across the month of January.
Looking for more inspiration on how to celebrate National Mentoring Month at your organization? We’re hosting live events all January long featuring industry experts and thought leaders. We’ll be diving into the latest trends, real-world success stories, and actionable strategies for impactful mentorship programs. Register now to build your network and gain access to expert resources!
