Chicago - Become A Mentor

Become a mentor for Minds Matter!
 
Mentor Profiles

• All of our mentors are young professionals who work in Chicago and give their time while pursuing full-time careers. Most mentors have been out of college for less than ten years.
• This year, 4 mentors were accepted to top 5 business school programs including Harvard, Stanford and Kellogg. Several mentors are alumni of similar caliber institutions.
• Mentors represent professions from finance to design. In addition, several mentors are currently pursuing graduate degrees from local universities.

Benefits of Being a Mentor

• First and foremost, it will enrich your life as well as someone else's.
• Being a mentor is fun! There are lots of volunteer-only get-togethers throughout the year, including happy hours, fundraisers and intramurals-a great way to meet new people and build lasting friendships.
• It provides an opportunity to take part in an exciting, young and successful organization. We have doubled in size each year, and plan on doing so in upcoming years. Plus, you have the opportunity to join the management team and directly contribute to the strategic vision and direction of Minds Matter.
• You will have access to a strong local network of young professionals in a variety of industries. Also, the national alumni network opens doors to contacts in cities across the country.

Mentor Roles

• Each student is paired with 2 mentors. The mentors meet for 2.5 hours from 12 - 2:30 each Saturday from October through May. In addition to helping students prepare for the SAT and apply to summer programs/university, the weekly sessions include essay writing workshops, career panels, and financial aid education. We provide each mentor with training and resources to ensure they are equipped for the role.
• Strong bonds are formed between mentors and students during the year that transcend the life of the program. Mentors are paired with their student beginning their sophomore year and work together through senior year and beyond. Mentors truly play a pivotal role in the lives of their mentees.

Requirements

• Mentors are required to be college graduates, attend at least 75% of sessions, communicate with their mentees in and out of sessions, and undergo a background check.

How do I sign up?
 
Download Mentor Application
 
For further questions on how to become a mentor, please contact Sarah Riddile or Tom Siebert at Chicago_volunteers@mindsmatter.org.