General Questions

What is "speed  mentoring"?

If you've heard of speed dating - dozens of people looking for the right match, cycling through fixed three-minute conversations to quickly sort out prospective future romantic interests form potential romantic "duds" -- you're on the right track. Now think rather than meeting a potential future spouse, you are meeting future potential mentors who share with you their wealth of experience and become a source of information to help you make the most of your career.

 

How will it work?

After receiving a brief overview on how speed mentoring works, you will meet one-on-one with a group of mentees for 5 minutes each, getting to know each other and discussing your professional strengths and challenges. An extra hour is scheduled after the speed mentoring session allowing you to go back to talk more with the people you have met.

What's in it for me? 

• Share your insights with a group of vibrant engineering students who are entering the field
• Enhance your skills and learn about yourself. Mentoring allows you to strengthen your coaching and leadership skills by working with individuals from different backgrounds and with different personality types
• Achieve a sense of accomplishment knowing that you are giving back and contributing to the future while allowing others to benefit from your experience
• Network with students and other accomplished alumni mentors
• Make a difference in a graduating senior's transition into the working field
• Catch up with what's going on at Cal Poly and have a great excuse to return for a tax-deductible visit to the beautiful Central Coast!
  

When talking to mentees, how much should I share?  Is information I share with them confidential?

In general, we don't recommend sharing anything that is considered trade secrets or insider information to your company.  However, it is OK to share workplace situations or your own growth path to help guide the mentee.

 

What are recruiting guidelines for this event?

Engineering mentoring day is not a recruiting event. However, if you and a student decide to discuss employment opportunities after the event, it's entirely up to you.

 

Logistics

When is the event?

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Where is the event held?

Berg Gallery in the Architecture Building (bldg 5- room 105).

How do I apply?

Fill out a mentor interest form here

When will I know whether I have been selected to participate?

You will hear back from us within 2 weeks after you submit the interest form.  If you don't hear from us after 2 weeks, please follow-up with us at mentoring@calpoly.edu.

 

Do I have to come to San Luis Obispo to participate in this event?

Yes. If you are selected as a mentor, you will be need to be on campus for a half-day event on Saturday, November 14, 2009.  Beyond this, there are no additional requirements for you to be at Cal Poly to participate in this program.

 

How much time do I need to commit to the program?

It's a half-day event so we will need about 5 hours of your time on Saturday, November 14, 2009.  If you and a student mentee decide to pursue a longer term mentoring relationship after the event, that is entirely up to you and outside the scope of Engineering mentoring day. 

 

Will training be provided? 

We will provide some materials that will be available to you prior to the event.  If there's enough interest, we may run a web conference to go over the materials and answer any questions you have.

 

Do I get reimbursed for traveling to Cal Poly?

We would love to reimburse you for travel but unfortunately, we don't quite have the budget.  However, IRS regulations allow you to deduct most out-of-pocket volunteer expenses. We encourage you to consult your tax accountant for further clarification.

 

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply as a mentor?

All Cal Poly alumni or friends of alumni may apply. 

 

Do I have to be an engineer to participate?

No. As long as you are a working professional, we think you will bring valuable insights to our students.  Familiarity with the engineering field is, of course, a plus!

 

I am not an alumni of Cal Poly, can I still sign up to be a mentor?

Of course!  We welcome all friends of Cal Poly to participate. 

 

Others

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

Feel free to email us at mentoring@calpoly.edu!