Join the Engineering Bronco Mentoring Network!

The Cal Poly Pomona Bronco Mentoring Network is now open for engineering students and alumni to network and build relationships. Both mentors and mentees can sign up today!

This opportunity allows students to connect directly with alumni working in industry—a big deal when over 80 percent of jobs and internships come from referrals! Alumni mentors build connections, improve leadership skills, gain new perspectives and shape the engineers of tomorrow.

Guidelines and Expectations

Student Mentee

Mentors serve as guides that provide wisdom about real-world experience, industry and career paths. In order to be a successful mentee, it is important to determine what you are looking for in a mentor and questions to ask to accelerate your professional journey.

Seven Tips to Get You Started

1. Be Proactive: Don't be afraid to reach out to alumni mentors that work in companies or industries of interest. The relationship will be most successful if you reach out consistently and respectfully, and schedule time with your mentor. The more you know before entering your first job, the better chance that you will pick a career that fits your goals and life-long ambitions.
2. Set Expectations: Be clear about your goals during your first interaction with a mentor. Be prepared to ask for specific guidance and advice on your goals, plans and strategic ideas. The more specific you can be, the easier it will be for your mentor to help you. Identify how you see your role as a mentee and what guidance you are looking for in the relationship. Determine the mode of communication you will use and how frequently you both are available to meet.
3. Build Relationships: Remember that the primary goal of this mentoring network is to have access to professionals that are willing to share their wisdom and build relationships. Although career oppotunities may develop based on interactions with the network, it is not appropriate to connect with a mentor solely to ask them for a job.
4. Be Timely: Respond to emails and communication in a timely manner. Be courteous and polite. Keep up with your emails and ask questions.
5. Be Honest: Let your mentor know if you don't understand something or have additional questions.
6. Ask for Feedback: Leverage yor mentor's knowledge by asking for feedback on resumes, interview answers and career choices. Remember that your mentor is providing feedback rather than criticism.
7. Be Grateful: Appreciate the work your mentor is doing. Remember that they are generously volunteering to help students succeed in their professional journeys. Never take that for granted!

Alumni Mentor

Over 1,100 students, alumni and industry professionals building connections in the CPP Bronco Mentoring Network. Your relationship with your mentee can potentially develop into lifelong connections. Here are some guidelines to be a successful mentor.

Mentors Should:

1. Have a willingness to invest time and energy in their relationship with their mentee.
2. Understand that mentoring is mutually beneficial professional activity, helping the development of both the mentor and mentee.
3. Have confidence in their own wisdom and abilities.
4. Have a desire to pass along information and wisdom to students and fellow alumni who may need career, industry and professional guidance.
5. Feel comfortable working one-on-one.

Mentoring Guidelines:

1. Building a mentor-mentee relationship is very personalized and requires both mentor and mentee to set goals and boundaries. During the first meeting, both parties should agree on the frequency, duration and mode of communication. Aim for 30-minute to two-hour meetings per month, and meet at least once per semester.
2. Mentors should respond to mentees consistently and within a specified timeframe in order to ensure that open lines of communication are available.
3. Build trust with your mentee. Be open and honest. Accept and value one another’s differences. Engage regularly to further develop your relationship.
4. Provide suggestions and be a sounding board for the mentee’s career goals and development.