Whether they are aiding students in identifying their strengths or providing a gateway to the worlds of science and technology, mentors and role models are an essential part of helping students become engineers.

Fundamentally, volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. Volunteers generally express a sense of achievement and motivation, and this is ultimately generated from the desire to help. Sometimes volunteers are regarded as do-gooders and those that hold that view also assume that one person can never make a difference. It may be true that no one person can solve all the world’s problems, but what you can do is make that little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better.

There are many ways in which you can contribute. Please explore the following links for more information and opportunities.

ACE Mentor Program: ACE has formed a unique partnership with industry professionals and corporations to mentor and provide scholarship opportunities for high school students.

MentorNet: MentorNet provides college students with one-on-one, email-based mentoring relationships with mentors from industry, government, and higher education.

MentorPlace: MentorPlace is a structured online program, connecting IBM employees with students and teachers in online relationships focused on academics.

Project Lead The Way: PLTW is a not-for-profit educational program which provides middle school and high school students rigorous ground-level education needed to develop strong backgrounds in science and engineering.