A Mentor is someone willing to spend 2 hours a month (November through May) helping a high school student define that student's personal path to success. The most important role for a mentor is to impart the career skills students need to succeed in life. Teachers work hard to impart these skills, but it is impossible to give all 30 students in each class the same one-on-one attention that a mentor can provide. As an invested adult from the community, you can help these students learn how to be successful in following their path, and motivate them to continue on to higher education. 

Mentors are professional and social role models to the students. One of the major benefits of the Academy Program is that the student can have some one-on-one time with an industry professional, something that the student is very unlikely to get anywhere else. If the student is considering a professional career, you can provide great insights into the opportunities, requirements, expectations, and issues in industry. You can provide the student with exposure to the professional work environment, which is likely to be very different from the environments the student has seen before. By interacting with you, the student can see how a professional is expected to act in social situations as well, which is critical for success. 

The challenge of being a mentor is to help instill a love of learning, love of self, a reason for staying in school, and to assist in fundamental goal setting. While you are not alone in providing this assistance, every bit of support can and will make the difference. 

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Mentor Requirements:

• Two hours a month for activities during a Thursday lunch (Busy professionals do not worry! We can be flexible to meet your schedule!)

• Communicate to mentee via email or phone conversations at least twice a month.

• Share What You Know- It doesn't take special skills-just a willingness to listen, offer encouragement, and share what you've learned about life.

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