ECT Mentorship Program (ECTMP) is an initiative requested by students during our ECT Summer 2020 town hall. ECTMP provides students the opportunity to build connections to help them navigate through graduate and professional settings. The pilot cohort of ECTMP was launched in February 2021, in which 16 pairs of mentors and mentees were connected. The program received positive feedback where most mentees believed the opportunity to connect with industry professionals really helped them to reach their career goals through meaningful conversations and social networking.  

Programming

Most of ECTMP programming will be asynchronous with some synchronous opportunities; this is designed to meet both mentors’ and mentees’ schedules. With milestones and prompts, mentors and mentees will determine their meeting cadence and communication.  


Here is a tentative outline of the milestones and activities (the outline is subject to change) 

Meeting Times and Expectations


We want to provide a “safe space” for dialogue and new perspectives. There are no parameters around the number of hours each match should meet, but it is important to understand that relationships do take time to build. Our recommendations are 1-2 hours per month to check in and follow up with concerns or questions in mind. 

Program Timeline

Application process

We aim to help the mentors and mentees to establish a safe and open mentor-mentee relationship. Thus, we expect both mentors and mentees to:  


There are also specific requirements and expectations for mentees and mentors to participate in ECTMP.  


To apply for mentees, you need to: 


To become a mentor, you need to: 


For the 2024 cohort: we are aiming for 8 pairs (16 seats) of mentors and mentees - that means, not every applicant would be paired up with a mentor or mentee. We would try our best to match based on matrices on the intake form such as career interests, goals and expectations. You will be notified of the results in March 2024 via email. 

Mind to Mind

Mind to Mind is a program proposed and established by ECT Alumni Ambassadors (ECTAA), an alumni-led group that is designed to connect students, alumni, and friends of the ECT community. Inspired by the ADP List, ECTAA provides ad hoc mentorship and support to current ECT students by connecting them with experienced ECT alumni who can offer professional and academic guidance via 30-60 minute virtual meetings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the program run?

ECTMP are expected to stay in their matches for four months (April - August)


How many cohorts will run per year? When will they start?

There are tentatively two cohorts per year. The first cohort of 2024 starts on April 1, 2024.


When do applications open up for ECTMP?

For 2024 cohort: applications for ECTMP open up on Feb 15, 2023. They will remain open until February 15, 2023.


What is the minimum for how often mentors and mentees meet?

We have left this up to participants. This must be established in the first month of your match. We recommend 1 - 2 hours a month in any form.


Will the program facilitate both in-person and phone/IM (i.e., zoom) relationships?

This will be left up to our participants. We recommend keeping relationships via phone/zoom/email for the safety of all participants.


Who will be responsible for setting agendas for calls, mentors or mentees?

We would like to have the mentees be responsible for setting the agenda and goals for all meetings.


How will mentor enrollment work? Are all applicants allowed to participate? Or is there a minimum standard that needs to be met?

For mentors, we are specifically looking for ECT alumni or P.hd students who are more experienced in industries such as education, technology, and experiences. If you think you fall into this category, we encourage you to apply!


Is the program for members only?

Yes, only selected participants can join the cohort to ensure the privacy and safety of the community.


How will the program be facilitated? Will you have association-led calls? Will there be a support group for mentors or mentees?

There are a number of programs and checkpoints we have designed for both mentees and mentors to make sure the communication has been going smoothly and effectively. We will also host specific community spaces for the program as an entirety, as well as for mentors and mentees separately.


Who can apply for mentors of Mind to Mind? Who can use services provided on M2M? How would it work?

Mind to Mind is a list of ECT alumni who are willing to offer current ECT students help with career guidance, which can include services such as portfolio review, resume review, cover letter review, job hunting tips, networking strategies, etc. This board is open to all ECT students, especially the graduating class.


Students who need help on career guidance can book a 30-60 minute meeting with prospective mentors that they are interested in talking with. We highly recommend students state clearly their goals for the meeting and how the mentors can best help them. As for students who enrolled in ECTMP, we would recommend you talking and discussing with your mentor first; if you need new perspectives, feel free to book with a quick meeting through M2M.


Contacts


ECT Alumni Ambassadors (ECTAA) is a new, alumni-led group that organizes programming designed to connect students, alumni, and friends of the ECT community. We know first hand  how impactful our time in ECT was. From this cohort and beyond, ECTAA will be responsible for the recruitment and programming of ECTMP. 


If you have any questions or concerns regarding the program details, please reach out to ECTMP coordinators via Slack or email: