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SME Membership SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program Guide SME Mentor Guide

SME Mentor Guide

A mentor is a trusted advisor who provides guidance, support, and steers mentees towards professional and even personal growth.

The program supports E. Wayne Kay or Irving Pressley McPhail scholarship recipients by: 

  • Fostering personal and professional growth through mentorship and guidance 
  • Providing access to career development resources and tools 
  • Creating networking opportunities with leaders in manufacturing and engineering 

This initiative helps students in a 2- or 4-year program thrive in their academic journey and prepares them for successful careers in the industry. 

Program Point of Contact: Member Engagement Programs Specialist, Sidra Rao, sidra.rao@sme.org 

Please Note: In case Sidra is out of office or unavailable and you require immediate assistance, please contact the Program Manager of Student Engagement, Marissa D'Angelo, mdangelo@sme.org.

Communicationkeyboard_arrow_down

Channels of Communication 

Communication within the program will primarily take place through the following channels:  

  • Email: Sidra will provide updates and important information via email. She may try phone calls in case of no response.  
  • Check-ins with Program Manager: Mentors will be required to participate in a check-in every month with the Program Manager. This will be by email, scheduled on Teams, or via phone call. 
  • Although there are regular check-ins every other month, Sidra is always available to address questions, concerns, and issues related to the program.  
  • Meetings with your Mentee: It is up to you and your mentee to have meetings based on the program schedule. The program requires a meeting every other month, but you and your mentee can decide the frequency of communication that works best for you. We recommend the meetings to be face-to-face such as zoom, teams, google meets, etc. 
  • In-Person Meetings: The program does not require in-person meetings or meet-ups. However, if you decide that you would like to meet your mentee in-person during the program duration, please notify the program manager of plans. 
Program Schedulekeyboard_arrow_down

Program Schedule for the 2025-2026 Cycle
Please keep in mind that the meetings outlined here represent the minimum required interactions between mentors and mentees. We encourage you to maintain open communication with your mentorship pairing and to establish a meeting rhythm that works best for both of you!

Please note that the schedule may be subject to change.

Month Meeting Program Activities
September Program Welcome from Sidra
October Mentor – Mentee Meeting Watch the SME Mentor Kickoff 25-26
November

Check-In with Sidra

 Mentor Social Hour
December

Mentor – Mentee Meeting

  
January Check-In with Sidra
February Mentor – Mentee Meeting Mentor Social Hour
March Check-In with Sidra  
April Mentor – Mentee Meeting  

May - Program Conclusion

 Check-In with Sidra Mentor Social Hour
First Meetingkeyboard_arrow_down

Your first meeting can be a bit nerve-wracking, so here are some tips to make it more comfortable and productive: 

  1. Introduction: Begin by sharing background information. Both the mentor and mentee should take this opportunity to talk about their experiences and interests. 
  2. Goals and Objectives: Discuss and set both short-term and long-term goals. These might include specific skills to develop, career aspirations, or other personal and professional milestones. 
  3. Q&A: Use this time to ask questions. This is an opportunity for the mentee to seek advice on particular challenges and for the mentor to understand how best to offer support. 
  4. Logistics and Expectations: Agree on the details for future meetings, including their frequency, format (e.g., Teams, Zoom, FaceTime), preferred times, and communication methods. Additionally, clearly outline and agree on each other's expectations for the mentorship, including the level of support and whether mentees can reach out between scheduled meetings. 
Mentorship Conversation Ideaskeyboard_arrow_down

Take advantage of the SME Member Benefits! There are numerous opportunities for you to connect with your mentee through SME Membership offerings such as the regularly scheduled Engagement Activities. 

Explore All Topics

This list will help decide what ideas and topics you want to work on with your mentee. Pick a few that you would like to focus on during the mentorship:

  • Academic and Career Goals 
  • Resume and Portfolio Review 
  • Industry Trends and Insights 
  • Networking and Professional Development 
  • Internship and Job Search 
  • Soft Skills and Communication 
  • Technical Skills and Knowledge 
  • Work-Life Balance and Well-Being 
  • Ethical Considerations in the Industry and the Workplace 
  • Engage in Research Projects 
  • Talk about the Mentor’s experiences
Code of Ethicskeyboard_arrow_down

Code of Ethics

  • Respect: Treat your mentor the way you’d want to be treated! Be respectful and professional, regardless of their background, identity, or opinions. 
  • Commitment: Actively participate in the mentor-mentee relationship, attend scheduled meetings, and complete agreed-upon tasks. 
  • Confidentiality: Trust is important! Mentees may share private or sensitive information with you.  
  • Openness: Be open, honest, and provide feedback and guidance to your mentee. 

Role: 

  • Provide resources and recommendations: Offer access to relevant articles, books, online courses, networking opportunities, tools, software, or methodologies that enhance skills and knowledge. 
  • Be constructive: Give objective, specific, and actionable feedback. Highlight improvement areas and strengths, offering guidance to address shortcomings while reinforcing positive behavior. 
  • Be a champion and cheerleader: Advocate for mentees, celebrate their achievements, and provide support during challenges, boosting their confidence and morale. 

Please note: If either the mentor or mentee wishes to terminate the mentor-mentee relationship, they should notify their respective program manager as soon as possible. The program managers will work with both parties to ensure a smooth transition and may consider reassignment to a new pairing. 

SME Mentor Directorykeyboard_arrow_down

We encourage you to take the opportunity to connect, network, and meet with other mentors in the program!

View SME Mentor Directory