CU-Boulder, Mentornet Seek More Professionals For Mentoring Program

Published: Oct. 10, 2000

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU-Boulder and MentorNet, an electronic mentoring service for women pursuing degrees in engineering, technology and the sciences, are recruiting additional mentors for the 2000-2001 academic year.

The application deadline is Oct. 15.

"Our goal is to help address the nation's shortage of engineers and scientists in many fields and increase women's participation in these professions," said Carol Muller, founder and executive director of the nationwide program.

MentorNet uses the Internet and electronic mail to connect students with volunteer mentors in industry. The nonprofit project, now in its third year, is the first large-scale electronic mentoring program serving women in engineering and related fields.

During the 2000-2001 academic year, MentorNet expects to link mentors with 2,200 female students at more than 60 colleges, universities and community colleges. CU-Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Science is participating in the program for the second year.

"Last year, CU-Boulder had 29 students request mentors and 27 were matched. Students are still signing up for this year," said Jill Tietjen, director of the Women in Engineering Program at CU-Boulder.

The program was founded in 1988 to encourage and support women pursuing studies and careers in engineering. About 21 percent of the students in CU-Boulder's College of Engineering and Applied Science are women, a figure that has increased gradually over the last decade from 16 percent when the program was founded.

Women account for only 11 percent of the nation’s engineers, however, according to Muller.

MentorNet, a partnership involving universities, corporations, government and professional societies, is headquartered at San José State University. AT&T, Intel, IBM, Ford Motor Co., Cisco Systems, the Alcoa Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Science Foundation provide major project funding.

Interested students and prospective mentors may visit MentorNet’s Web site at www.mentornet.net.