The National Electronic Industrial Mentoring Network

for Women in Engineering and Science

What is MentorNet? A national electronic industrial mentoring program for women undergraduate and graduate students in science and engineering which would link, for one year at a time, any interested student with a volunteer mentor from industry via e-mail. Through the mentoring process, experienced professionals:

• acquaint students with career opportunitiesoffer guidance and advice based on experience
• provide support, encouragement, and access to professional networks

Why Create Such a Program? To provide increased information to students, to enhance their persistence in studying in scientific and technical fields, and to facilitate their entry into careers in these fields

Why Mentoring?
Women are underrepresented in engineering and related scientific fields, and mentoring programs have proven to be beneficial in recruiting and retaining women in these fields. Mentoring offers personal, one-on-one encouragement and support. Mentoring offers help in "de-coding" less obvious cultural and structural elements of the field

Why E-Mentoring?

• Highly cost-effective
• Transcends constraints of time, synchronous communication, and geography
• E-mail is convenient, informal
• E-mail and related telecommunications now nearly ubiquitous on campus and in industry
• Allows employees to be involved in outreach and mentoring, despite tight time schedules

Why Industrial E-Mentoring?

• Most students ultimately find employment in industry, but on college campuses, the primary mentors available are those in the academic profession. Industry has expressed an interest in supporting a program which will serve goals in developing and recruiting the best talent available.
• Complements and enhances existing efforts to encourage more students to pursue their interests in science, mathematics, and engineering Greater awareness of post-graduate opportunities in industry can encourage retention in science and engineering

Why a National Program?
The larger the pool of mentors and students, the more likely suitable matches Economies of scale offer organizations relief from the costs of administering small individual programs

How Does E-Mentoring Work?

Using electronic communications, prospective participants ­ students and mentors ­ complete an application indicating their preferences in being matched by areas of technical interests, industrial sector, geographic location, avocational interests, gender, ethnicity, or other factors.

Matches are made centrally, based on a national database of prospective participants. Mentors and their assigned protégés receive information and direction for establishing an effective mentoring relationship over the course of the year, including setting goals, clarifying expectations, and following through on their commitment. A mentoring "coach" conveys useful information throughout the year through a short electronic newsletter, addresses problems or issues which arise, and is available for consultation as needed.

Mentors and protégés are expected to communicate at least twice a month, or more frequently if both desire. Group mentoring experiences will be available, through which mentoring pairs may exchange information and opinions, and gain additional perspective on issues and problems. Use of the World Wide Web will be developed as its availability to all participants increases.

Who is Involved?

Target population: undergraduate and graduate students in science, engineering, and mathematics (SEM) considering scientific or technical careers in industry

Who else is involved?

Engineers and scientists employed in industry volunteer to serve as mentors. Universities support the national electronic mentoring program by designating representatives to disseminate information about the program to students and consult with program staff. Corporations support the electronic mentoring program by providing funding and by designating representatives to recruit mentors. Professional associations support the program by recruiting mentors from their membership.

Who benefits?

Corporations, in matching students with industrial mentors, help prepare students for prospective employment, building a diverse, knowledgeable workforce for the future; corporations focus studentsé attention on their particular business and organizations; employees serving as mentors gain increased understanding, skills, professional development, attachment; corporations gain positive p