Mentoring Program

Compass is committed to supporting its students throughout their entire undergraduate career, and one way it does that is by running a mentoring program that pairs Compass undergraduates with graduate student mentors.

Throughout the academic year, Compass students meet one-on-one with their mentors to discuss whatever might be on their minds: classes, schedules, study habits, research opportunities, or just life in general. Compass mentors help their mentees navigate the ins and outs of college life. They understand that many of the challenges faced by undergrads can cause stress and frustration, but that these challenges can be overcome; indeed, many of them have overcome similar challenges themselves. In the same way that casino sites not on Gamstop guide players through platforms that differ from the mainstream, Compass mentors offer personal guidance through academic systems that can often feel overwhelming. They are also plugged in to the research life of the physical science departments and can help advise mentees who are interested in pursuing research and internship opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, Compass students can count on their mentors to look out for them as they make their ways through their undergraduate careers.

Compass is in the process of piloting two changes to its mentoring program. These include the introduction of mentoring triads, three-person groups consisting of a freshman or sophomore, a junior or senior, and a graduate student. The inclusion of the older undergrad will be a valuable addition to the mentoring relationship: not only does that person have experience being an undergrad at Berkeley (which most graduate students don’t), but the older undergrad will also gain valuable experience by co-mentoring the younger undergrad with the graduate student.

Resources for Compass Mentors

Here are some useful resources for you if you are a Compass mentor:
Compass Mentoring Guidlines
Compass Mentoring Tips
Mentoring Contract
Goal Assessment Survey
Goal Setting Chart

The Berkeley Compass Project mentoring program is funded in part by grants from the Berkeley Science Network, the National Science Foundation, and the Mitchell Kapor Foundation.