What is a PS Mentor?
A Physical Sciences mentor is an alumni or a friend of the School who volunteers to coach an undergraduate student during the academic year (October - May). A mentor is a guide, friend and resource who shares education and professional experience to help pave the way for students to succeed professionally and academically.
As a PS Mentor...
- Benefit from an enriching volunteer experience to serve as a guide and resource to an undergraduate science student
- Help students determine important career and academic decisions
- Teach students about business conduct and communication skills
- Refine your coaching and mentoring skills
- Networking opportunities with other alumni and industry leaders
- Connect with the School of Physical Sciences
- Develop meaningful connections with UCI Physical Sciences students
Sign Up...
- Complete an online mentor profile.
- Expect an email from your matched student.
- *Attend PS Mentor Program Events and stay in touch with your student on a regular basis.
*Remote mentors, or mentors who cannot be physically present at events, are welcome to the program as long as they maintain regular contact with student though telephone or online communications.
The Matching Process
Once students and mentors have completed online profiles, students will attend a mandatory orientation. Directly following the orientation, students and mentors will participate in the Mentor/Mentee interviews where students get the opportunity to meet with at least 3 mentors of their choosing and speak with them about their career field and experiences. There will be three 15 minute interviews which will give the students and mentors a chance to meet and at the end choose their mentor/mentee preferences for the upcoming year. The program coordinator will do their best on accommodating their preferences and match students with one of his/her preferred mentor selections. The program coordinator will then contact students and provide them with their new mentor's contact information. Students are expected to contact their mentors through an introductory email. Mentors and students have the opportunity to meet during the PSUM Meet and Greet.