Faculty Mentoring

Faculty mentoring connects you with faculty in your discipline for personalized guidance on research opportunities, career planning, graduate school decisions and navigating your engineering major. Mentors share insight from their academic and professional experience, help you explore career paths and may support you through recommendation letters for jobs or graduate school applications.

While not all departments have formal mentoring programs, many faculty members are open to mentoring students who reach out and demonstrate genuine interest in their field.

What Faculty Mentors Can Help With

Research & Graduate School

Faculty mentors help you explore undergraduate research opportunities, prepare for graduate school and connect with research groups that match your interests. They can also provide strong recommendation letters based on your work and potential.

Career Planning & Industry Connections

Faculty bring real-world industry experience and professional networks that can help you explore career paths across engineering fields. They can connect you with alumni and employers and offer insight into what different engineering roles are like in practice.

How to Find a Faculty Mentor

Identify potential mentors: Look for faculty whose research, teaching or expertise aligns with your interests.
Engage in class and office hours: Ask thoughtful questions, participate in discussions and show interest in course topics.
Check for formal programs: If your department offers a mentoring program, follow your department advisor’s process to get connected.
Reach out directly if needed: Email faculty whose work interests you. Introduce yourself, share your interests and request a brief meeting to learn more about their work and mentorship opportunities.
Be professional and respectful: Acknowledge that faculty have teaching, research and service responsibilities. Keep communication clear and concise.
Prepare for meetings: Bring specific questions or topics you want to discuss to make the most of your time together.

Making the Most of Mentorship

Mentorship is a two-way relationship that grows through initiative, communication and follow-through. To get the most out of it:

Show up prepared and on time: Be respectful of your mentor’s time by being punctual and ready for each meeting.
Communicate your goals clearly: Share your interests, challenges and what you hope to gain from the relationship.
Take initiative: Don’t wait for direction, ask questions, explore topics and drive the conversation.
Be open to feedback: Welcome constructive criticism and use it to grow academically and professionally.
Follow through on commitments: Complete agreed-upon actions and keep your mentor updated on your progress.
Stay engaged and connected: Share updates and let your mentor know how their guidance has helped you.

Interested in Faculty Mentoring?

Check with your department to learn about formal mentoring programs, or ask your academic advisor for guidance on connecting with faculty in your area of interest.

Contact Your Department