MentorNet
Summary
MentorNet, a web-based e-mentoring program, matches students, postdocs, and early career researchers in over 70 STEM-related fields to mentors in the professions for one-on-one guided relationships lasting a minimum of eight months. MentorNet’s social network allows students to create professional profiles and develop a network of peers, mentors, and future colleagues. As well, the social network allows corporate partners to search profiles, post jobs and contact the protégé’s directly. Since its inception in 1998, MentorNet has matched over 34,000 protégés to mentors.
Target Population
Goal(s)
Program Highlights
- Mentor-protégé matches are created through an algorithm that takes into account mentor and protégé preferences, field, gender, race, among other factors.
- The mentoring relationship is guided through the use of periodic discussion suggestions and topics provided throughout the eight-month period.
- Over 50 percent of protégés consider their mentor’s employer when applying for jobs.
- Over 90 percent of protégés graduate and remain in STEM fields three years after graduation.
The Facts
Partners
Higher Education
- Columbia University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Stanford University
- At least 30 others
Business
- AT&T
- 3M
- Intel Corporation
- SanDisk Corporation
- Bechtel
- At least 10 others
Non-Profit / Philanthropy
- S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
- National Science Foundation
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Government
- Naval Research Laboratory
Evidence of Impact
Level 2—Institutions of higher education affiliated with MentorNet have more female students enrolled in STEM-related programs, as compared to the national average. As well, protégés and mentors report high satisfaction with the mentorship model.
MentorNet Outcomes and Demographics: Cumulative Summary of Data (2011). An internal report declares over 30,000 mentor-protégé matches since program inception in 1998, with over 280 partner organizations (higher education, business, government, non-profit, and professional organization). Ninety-five percent of MentorNet protégés graduate and 91 percent remain in STEM fields after graduation. Over 50 percent consider their mentor’s employer when entering the workforce. Both mentors and protégés report high overall satisfaction (greater than 80 percent) for their experience. (Available Online)
Contact Information
MentorNet
2855 Kifer Road, Suite 105
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 296-4405
http://www.mentornet.net
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