Volunteer Mentor

As a Volunteer Mentor in the Rising Tide Network, you have the opportunity to guide, inspire, and empower a college student or recent graduate by sharing your experience and insights. Over six months, you’ll meet regularly with your mentee, offering practical advice, encouragement, and connections that help them navigate college, career decisions, and professional growth.

This program is a meaningful way to give back, expand your own network, and contribute to creating a more equitable future by supporting the next generation of leaders.

The deadline to apply is September 10, 2025 and the program will run from October 2025 to April 2026.

This program is perfect for you if...

• You believe in the power of relationships to open doors and create opportunity
• You have at least one year of experience post-college graduation
• You remember what it was like to navigate college or launch your career and want to support someone on that journey
• You’re looking for a meaningful, flexible way to give back
• You’re excited to connect with a young person who’s motivated, curious, and ready to grow
• You want to be part of a mission-driven community building equity and access

What you’ll offer:

• Honest, thoughtful guidance based on your own journey
• Support in goal-setting, problem-solving, and career exploration
• A safe space for your mentee to ask questions and learn
• Potential to build your own network and leadership skills

Program Highlights for Volunteer Mentors

• 6 monthly mentor-mentee meetings from October 2025 – April 2026, in person or virtual, with conversation guides
• Support a young person to reflect on their experiences, set goals for career and life, and build confidence to pursue their dreams
• Join a community of people committed to supporting the next generation of leaders
• Share knowledge and experience about job searches, resumes, job applications, interviews, and career growth
• Flexible format (virtual or in-person), with support from Making Waves staff
• Opportunities to attend in-person events to connect with the Rising Tide Network community

Join the Rising Tide Network and help lift the future — one conversation at a time.

Requirements

Expectations for Mentorship Pairs

• Commitment: Minimum of 6 meetings over 6 months (30–45 minutes each), including 2 meetings that include: (1) Resume review and feedback, (2) Mock interview
• Format: Virtual or in-person, as agreed upon by the mentor and mentee
• Confidentiality: Conversations remain private and respectful
• Responsibility: Mentees are expected to initiate scheduling, come prepared, follow up after meetings, and complete three brief surveys about the experience. Mentors are expected to come prepared to meetings and complete three brief surveys about the experience.
• Support: The Making Waves team will provide conversation guides to support successful partnerships and will solicit feedback via brief surveys at beginning, middle, and end of the 6-month timeline.
• Flexibility: Mentors and mentees can meet more frequently or extend beyond six months if both parties agree