Judy Shen will present on how NeurIPS funding directly supported WiML’s 2023–2024 Mentorship Program participants by offsetting higher-degree (Master’s / Ph.D) application costs for WiML members, which can be prohibitively expensive, particularly for those from regions with economic disparities looking to apply to programs abroad. In addition to funding higher-degree applicants, the annual WiML Mentorship Program pairs participants with mentors in one-on-one settings tailored to individual career goals, focusing on critical transition points such as post-graduate applications and job-seeking post-degree. Participants benefit from structured programming including specialized panel discussions on application processes from academic and industry leaders. Ching Lam Choi, a mentee who took part the 2023–2024 Mentorship Program, will present her experience during the program and her successes since then.