Peer-to-Peer Graduate Mentoring

As a mentee, you'll receive invaluable guidance on navigating WPI, from learning about faculty and academic programs to understanding campus culture and networking opportunities. Mentors, who have experienced the same challenges, can help with everything from small questions to big decisions, including how to secure internships and build your professional network. If you’re an international student, a mentor can offer insights into adjusting to U.S. academic life. For those balancing part-time studies with work, a mentor can help with time management and work-life balance strategies. Whatever your background, having a mentor will give you a clearer path to success.

Mentoring is an opportunity to give back and hone your leadership skills. Whether you’re in a Master's, PhD, or have completed a Graduate Certificate, mentoring allows you to share the advice you wish you had received. You'll develop key interpersonal skills that are vital in both academic and professional settings. As a mentor, you can help students from diverse backgrounds navigate WPI's resources, programs, and faculty. And, for an added professional boost, you'll earn a digital badge to showcase your mentoring experience to potential employers.

The Mentorship Program supports students at various stages, whether you're: 

• New Graduate Students (Full-Time/Part-Time): A peer mentor can help you adjust to graduate school life, manage coursework, and get involved in the WPI community. Mentors provide guidance on everything from building relationships with professors to making the most of social and academic resources. 

• Second-Year and Beyond: If you’ve already completed a year or more of grad school, this is your chance to give back. You can offer wisdom on time management, balancing research with coursework, or even how to navigate internships and job searches. By mentoring, you also sharpen leadership and communication skills that enhance your own career prospects. 

  No matter your program or experience level, the mentorship program fosters meaningful connections and strengthens WPI’s graduate community. 

  • Plus, you’ll earn a digital badge to showcase your mentoring experience to potential employers.

• Mentorship pairs are expected to commit to at least one semester, with a minimum of two mentorship engagements per month. (Meetings may be done in-person or remotely.) 
• Digital Badges are awarded to mentors at the conclusion of their initial semester commitment. 
• The program is designed to be flexible, allowing both mentors and mentees to structure their engagements around their individual needs.

Mentors and mentees will be matched based on specific criteria such as: 

• Academic Level 
• Program of Study 
• Professional Goals 
• Time Commitment 
• Shared Interests and Cultural Considerations

The program facilitator will assess these preferences to ensure the best possible match for each pair, promoting a fruitful and engaging relationship