Applications now open for fall 2026

Apply for the Fall 2026 Cohort >

The Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA) is launching a Career Education Mentorship Program for AAPI college students interested in careers in the tennis industry.

Over 12 weeks, mentees will gain exposure to the range of career paths in the industry, including player relations, media, facility and tournament operations. They'll build a relationship with a mentor who can speak to these paths firsthand, and leave with a clear next step, whether that's a specific area to pursue, a skill to develop, or connections to explore.

Who You’ll Learn From:

Our mentors include professionals working in tennis today, from US Open player operations to nonprofit youth tennis. They are joined by leaders from business and volunteer governance, including senior executives with decades of experience leading teams at major companies and volunteers who have served on USTA national and section committees and boards.

Several have also coached or directed programs at the college level, and many have spent years mentoring early-career professionals and serving nonprofit organizations. That mix means you can ask about specific paths in tennis, as well as how to grow a career and how organizations make decisions.

Details:

The program opens with a group introduction session, where mentors share their backgrounds and the paths they've taken in the industry. From there, mentees complete a short matching survey covering their interests and goals, which AAPITA uses to pair them with a mentor.

Mentees and mentors meet every other week for the rest of the program, mixing small group sessions with a cohort-wide session on the tennis industry landscape. Sessions are mentee-led after the intro, so students take the lead on scheduling and coming prepared with questions.

What mentees will gain:

• A working understanding of the tennis industry and the career paths within it

• Perspective on leadership and career growth that applies in any industry

• A mentor relationship that continues through post-program check-ins

• A reviewed resume or LinkedIn profile

• Informational interview experience

• A 90-day action plan for next steps

Program Schedule for Fall 2026 (subject to change):

• October 10-30, 2026: Program Application Opens

• October 30-November 4, 2026: Selection Committee Determines Final Candidates

• November 5-11, 2026: Final Candidate Interviews and Mentee Selection

• November 13-February 12, 2027: Mentors & Mentees meet bi-weekly (extra time built in for scheduling around the holidays)

• February 15-19, 2027: Program Feedback Surveys Distributed