Mentor the next generation of social innovators.

Mentorship is a vital part of our organization’s work. By joining us, you become a part of a vibrant community of students, full-time staff and other Mentors who want to help students innovate toward a better world.

Simple Overview:

  • We generally ask for 1-2 hours, virtually or in person, each month from mentors. Mentors meet in small groups and one on one with teams to discuss their projects and provide guidance or encouragement.

  • Mentorship take place September-January during the Social Innovation Challenge and again May-June during our summer internship where funded teams continue to work on their projects with us. We accept mentors on a rolling basis so anytime is a good time to join.

  • Mentors are post graduate professionals or professionals without degrees who have spent significant time in the field(s) or areas of expertise that they represent.

  • Learn more about the program here.

Benefits for Mentors

  • Engage in meaningful experiences that support students working to improve the world.

  • Catch the creative energy and ideas of incredible students who believe a better future is possible!

  • Reflect on your own skills and experiences and improve your work and life as a result!

  • Develop your skills as a mentor and teacher!

  • Make a significant social impact with a bit of your time!

  • Connect to a network of other Mentors from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and industries!

What does it mean to be a Mentor?

  • Provide feedback for projects within the Social Innovation Challenge (SIC)

  • Guide students on next steps to aid in making a meaningful impact

  • Spark thoughtful discussions to gain insight on challenges participants face

  • Contextualize project ideas with your personal experiences, yet do not set directives

  • Set aside time to support students achieve their goals to change the world!


An optiMize Mentor’s Commitments to Mentees

From the optiMize Guide to Great Mentorship

  1. I will find the good first.

  2. I will try to be helpful, not just to be "right."

  3. I will “sit next to you” and put problems in front of us rather than between us.

  4. I will ask you to clarify any important idea that isn’t clear to me.

  5. I will never crush your dreams or make you feel stupid.

  6. I will challenge you only after I have made it clear that I have listened to you and I care about you.

  7. I will ask thoughtful questions to challenge you and help you see new possibilities.

  8. I will acknowledge that I still might not fully understand the issue.

  9. I will help you understand your strengths and how to use them to address your challenges.

  10. I will always let the student make their own decision.

  11. I will tell stories from my own experience to illustrate potential lessons, but I will not give specific directions to you — not all of my lessons apply to your experience and this is your business, not mine.

  12. I will work with you to create clear expectations of what must be completed (if anything) before we meet again.

*This list draws from Brené Brown’s Engaged Feedback Checklist as well as input from optiMize mentors.