Mentoring can be an effective professional development experience to enhance or expand your career.

A S RECENTLY AS THE 1980S, education was not universally approached as a lifelong process except to maintain certification, but at present, dietetics practitioners are keenly aware that lifelong learning has evolved from simply being important to something that is essential to achieve professionalsuccess. Infact, in1980,Malcolm S.Knowles,anotededucatoroftenreferred to as the “father of adult learning,” predicted that lifelong learningwould inevitably become the organizing principle of education, and a few decades later, the term lifelong learning is part of the everyday vernacular in education circles,withmany university departments featuring the title lifelong learning and offering courses on this topic. An important component of lifelong learning—for both the seasoned practitioner and the student—is thementoring programof theAcademyofNutritionand Dietetics, which can be beneficial to members looking to expand or change their career in dietetics. In a field asmultifaceted and extensive as dietetics, locating a mentor who comprehends specific professional challenges, interests, and career goals can be a key part of the lifelong learning process for registered dietitians (RDs), dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs), and students. The Academy provides mentoring opportunities throughavarietyof channels— several dietetic practice groups andmember interest groups offer mentoring programs,andtherearemanyaffiliateprograms as well. The Academy’s web-based eMentoring program, launched in January 2011, was developed to provide users a cost-effective, flexible platform without the limits imposed by geography, and the opportunity formembers to earn valuable continuing professional education (CPE).