Mentornet

MentorNet, the national electronic industrial mentoring network for women in engineering and science, seeks "e-mentors." Male and female professionals in industry engaged in scientific and technical work will be paired with undergraduate and graduate women studying science, math, and engineering in college and at the graduate level via email. Mentoring is a proven strategy in encouraging the retention of women in these fields where they are currently under-represented. Email allows mentoring relationships to occur where geography, time, or financial constraints would otherwise prevent them. Communicating electronically removes most obvious markers of status difference, including those rooted in gender and hierarchy; students often feel less intimidated or hesitant asking questions using email than they might posing those same questions in person or over the phone. Email also makes it easy to communicate thoughtfully and deliberately, and provides a record of communication. Students can refer to their mentors' past advice whenever they feel a need, and mentors can easily keep track of students' concerns.

Basic requirements for volunteering as a MentorNet mentor

  • male or female professional with an educational or professional background in engineering, related sciences and technologies or math
  • working in private industry or at a government agency or national laboratory
  • willingness to mentor a community college, undergraduate or a graduate student via email
  • regular access to email
  • willingness to exchange email messages regularly with a student
  • available to participate for one academic year (October through May)

AWIS Involvment with MentorNet

AWIS became an affiliate of MentorNet in 1998. AWIS supplied over 100 mentors to the original national year of MentorNet in 1998. All members of AWIS who are eligible be a MentorNet mentor are strongly urged to join the program. Currently, AWIS' Executive Director, Catherine Jay Didion, is on the Advisory Board of MentorNet.

MentorNet Call for Mentors

MentorNet is always recruiting future mentors.