Become A Mentor

Mentor Engagement Brief

This Mentor Engagement Brief outlines the role, expectations, and commitment of mentors supporting fellows in the STEM Elevate Program. It serves as a guide to ensure a meaningful, well-structured, and impactful mentorship experience for both mentors and mentees.

About STEM Elevate

STEM Elevate is a structured, Africa-focused career acceleration program designed to support women and early-career professionals in STEM through guided career navigation, leadership development, and real-world exposure. The program connects high-potential mentees with experienced professionals who provide strategic guidance, accountability, and professional insight.

Purpose of the Mentorship

Mentors will support selected fellows to:

  • Navigate academic, industry, policy, innovation, or entrepreneurial pathways
  • Clarify and refine their long-term career direction
  • Translate career aspirations into practical, step-by-step roadmaps
  • Build confidence, professional identity, and industry readiness
  • Navigate academic, industry, policy, innovation, or entrepreneurial pathways

Mentorship Duration & Time Commitment

Duration: 6 months

Minimum Commitment: One (1) hour of direct mentor–mentee engagement per month (virtual or in-person)

Additional Time: Mentors may offer additional support at their discretion based on availability

Key Mentor Responsibilities

Mentors are expected to:

  • Share networks, opportunities, and exposure where appropriate
  • Provide strategic career guidance aligned with the mentee’s selected career track
  • Review and discuss the mentee’s Career Roadmap & Progress Tracker
  • Offer practical industry, academic, or leadership insights
  • Support goal setting, skills development, and professional decision-making

Progress Monitoring & Feedback

Mentors will provide brief monthly written comments on the mentee’s progress using the Roadmap Tracker. Feedback should highlight:

  • Achievements and milestones reached
  • Gaps or challenges observed
  • Practical recommendations for improvement

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome mentors who are:

  • Experienced professionals or academics in STEM or related fields
  • Passionate about youth development, gender equity, and capacity building
  • Willing to offer structured, consistent guidance over six months
  • Committed to ethical, supportive, and empowerment-focused mentoring

Mentor Benefits

  • Opportunity to shape Africa’s next generation of STEM leaders
  • Professional visibility within the STEM Elevate ecosystem
  • Access to a growing pan-African leadership and innovation network
  • Certificate of recognition and formal acknowledgment at program close
  • Paid facilitator opportunities

Engagement Format

  • Virtual meetings (Zoom/Teams/WhatsApp) or in-person where feasible
  • One-on-one mentoring
  • Optional group mentoring or masterclasses
STEM Elevate Mentor Enrollment form
Name
Address
Mentorship Availability Preferred Mentee Career Tracks
Preferred STEM Program Mentor Areas
STEM Program Mentor Enrollment Type
Preferred Meeting Format
Prior Mentoring Experience
Agreement to 6-Month Mentorship
I confirm my availability and commitment to serve as a mentor for the full six-month duration of the STEM Elevate Program, providing at least one (1) hour of mentorship engagement per month.
Commitment to Monthly Roadmap Feedback
I commit to reviewing my assigned mentee’s career roadmap and submitting brief written feedback on their progress each month through the program’s tracking system.
Ethics & Data Consent
I commit to uphold professional ethics, confidentiality, and safe-space principles throughout the mentorship. I also consent to the collection and use of my information solely for program coordination, matching, monitoring, and reporting in line with data protection regulations.