Program Schedule:

Mentees and Mentors will connect virtually (via phone, Zoom, or Teams) every other month, beginning in October and ending in May.

During the alternating months, SME will connect with both Mentees and Mentors to review and track progress, discuss benefits related to SME Membership and evaluate the Mentee-Mentor relationship.

SME also encourages Mentors and Mentees to attend program social hours—an opportunity to connect virtually with fellow program participants. These sessions provide a chance to build your network and gain valuable insights, enriching your mentorship experience.

Schedule is subject to change*

Pairing Process:

SME facilitates the Mentor-Mentee pairing process to ensure a successful and meaningful match. Here's how it works:

1. Mentor Application and Directory: Once Mentors apply and successfully pass the background check, they are added to the Mentor Directory. This directory includes each Mentor’s name, bio, and areas of industry expertise, making it easy for Mentees to identify potential matches.
2. Mentee-Driven Selection: Mentees browse the Mentor Directory and select up to three Mentors whose experience and expertise align with their career goals and the guidance they are seeking.
3. 1:1 Pairing: Pairing is done on a 1:1 ratio, meaning each Mentee is paired with one Mentor. SME reviews the Mentees' selections and facilitates the final pairing assignments to ensure the best possible match based on preferences and availability.
4. Returning Mentees: Returning mentees have the option to continue with their current mentor for one additional year, allowing for a total of two consecutive years paired together. After this period, mentees will need to transition to a new mentor in the next program cycle. We encourage mentors and mentees to maintain contact even after their formal pairing in the program ends—continuing to grow and strengthen their networks!
5. Annual Evaluation: At the end of each program year, SME evaluates the success of the Mentor-Mentee relationship to refine the program and improve future pairings.

A mentor is a trusted advisor who provides guidance, support, and steers mentees towards professional and even personal growth.

SME Mentor Requirements

• Be an SME Member: A Mentor must be an active SME member with at least one year of SME member engagement. SME engagement examples include, but is not limited to, the following: serving as a SMEEF Board member, SMEEF scholarship reviewer, serving on the SME Member Council, SME Member Committee, Advisory Committee, Working Group, Task Group or Technical Community, featured speaker for an SME webinar or event, contributor of an SME Media article, blog post.
  
  
• Industry Experience: Mentors must have five or more years of manufacturing industry experience, and a specific manufacturing-related skill set or expertise to impart and share real-world perspective and advice on career pathways.
  
  
• Background Check: Mentors must clear a background check. SME has selected a third-party vendor, to conduct background checks for purposes of the SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program. Background checks comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Volunteers, such as Mentors, are treated as applicants under the FCRA.
• We are currently only accepting applications from US-based SME Members due to background check restrictions. We value all members and look forward to expanding the program in the future.
• Background Check Expiration: The background check for the SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program is valid for 13 months. If the new program cycle begins and the background check was completed within the last 13 months, a new check is not required. However, if the new program cycle starts and the background check is older than 13 months, a new check will be necessary.

Application

The SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program application is open year round for mentors. Applying early allows you to complete the background check and join the Mentor Directory sooner.

Components of the mentor application include a collection of your biography, headshot, the opportunity to share your manufacturing interests, job history, community involvement and personal hobbies.

Apply to be an SME Mentor  Apply to be a Returning SME Mentor

Please note: We understand that schedules can get busy, so if now isn't the best time, we encourage you to join our mentorship directory by applying. We can reach out to you for future cycles when your availability aligns.

For additional information about being an SME Mentor, please contact SME Member Engagement Programs Specialist, Sidra Rao at sidra.rao@sme.org.

A mentee is a self-motivated individual committed to their own personal and professional growth.

Here are some key activities mentees typically do with mentors:

• Set Goals: Work with the mentor to identify long-term and/or short-term goals.
• Seek Guidance: Ask for guidance from mentors about opportunities, challenges, and decisions.
• Learn from Experiences: Hear from mentors about their experiences to gain insight on different perspectives.
• Develop Skills: Work with mentors to develop certain skills such as time management, communication, interviewing skills, etc.

SME Mentee Requirements

• To participate in the SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program, Mentees must be recipients of the E. Wayne Kay or Irving Pressley McPhail scholarship and maintain their scholarship throughout the duration of the program.
• Program Schedule: Mentees and Mentors will connect virtually every other month, beginning in October and ending in May. Connection points will take place via phone or virtual meetings (i.e., Zoom, Teams). During the alternating months, SME will connect with both Mentees and Mentors to review and track progress, discuss benefits related to SME Membership and evaluate the Mentee-Mentor relationship.
• Please note: Returning SME Mentees must reapply.

Benefits and Opportunities for Bright Minds Scholars

Scholarship recipients are automatically inducted into the SME Education Foundation Bright Minds Community of Scholars. As Bright Minds Scholars, you are offered various benefits and engagement opportunities with SME and the SME Education Foundation during your academic journey.

In addition to the SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program, Bright Minds Scholars receive access to the following resources:

• Complimentary SME membership which offers access to career services, including career coaching, virtual job fairs, resume review, mock interviews, and other manufacturing career-endorsing opportunities.
• Complimentary access to courses from Tooling U-SME, SME’s workforce development division. Students will have access to courses that include design and engineering, electrical, machining, welding, Smart Manufacturing, composites processing, stamping, forming, fabricating, and many more.

For additional information about being an SME Mentee, please contact SME Program Manager of Student Engagement, Sandy Wilton at swilton@sme.org.

SME Mentee applications are currently closed, check back in soon!