Mentors

TechWomen Mentors are an integral part of the program. Professional and Cultural Mentors are women living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area who are passionate about women’s empowerment and committed to training and inspiring the next generation of women leaders in STEM. Professional Mentors are women in STEM working at leading companies in the Bay Area who collaborate closely with participants on mutually beneficial projects at their companies and provide daily guidance on the participants’ work. Cultural Mentors serve as ambassadors who help participants adjust to the local Bay Area culture and facilitate cultural enrichment activities to inspire participants to make the most of their time in the U.S.

Yes! TechWomen Professional and Cultural Mentors generously volunteer their time to the program. We are extremely grateful for the dedication and support of all of our mentors – past and present.

The TechWomen program will occur over five weeks from September – October 2016. The program will include project-based mentorships, workshops, and targeted meetings in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as special events and debrief activities in Washington, D.C.

Professional Mentors are women in STEM working at companies and organizations in the Bay Area. Professional Mentors collaborate with participants on mutually beneficial projects at their companies and provide daily guidance on the participants’ work. To learn more, please see Professional Mentor.

Prior to arriving in the United States, each Emerging Leader and Professional Mentor pair designs a project based on the Emerging Leader’s learning goals and the expertise of the mentor. Four days per week, over four weeks, the Emerging Leader and Mentor work together on the project at the mentor’s company. Projects vary depending on each Emerging Leader’s areas of expertise and interest, as well as on the needs of the host company. Explore past projects.

The host company should provide a work space for the Emerging Leader, including a desk, computer or laptop, and anything that the participant needs to be successful at completing the project.

Cultural Mentors serve as ambassadors who help participants adjust to the local Bay Area culture and facilitate cultural enrichment activities to help participants make the most of their time in the United States. To learn more, please see Cultural Mentor.

Professional Mentors are matched based on their field and area(s) of expertise, level of experience, education background and project interests. Cultural Mentors are matched based on their diverse backgrounds, ability to spend time with Emerging Leaders, cultural interests and commitment to fostering cultural understanding. Read more about the TechWomen Mentor applications and eligibility.

The 2016 Mentor Application will open in early summer 2016.

At this time, we are only accepting mentor applications from women. However, there are many ways to get involved with our program. For more information, please see Other Ways to Get Involved.

Absolutely! Besides hosting a mentor, there are many ways to get involved with TechWomen. Companies and organizations can choose to host an event or get involved in a variety of other ways.