Become a mentor to an Informatics or MSIM student!

The iMentorship Program pairs students in the Information School's Bachelor of Science in Informatics and Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM) programs with information professionals who offer insight, guidance and support, and help them jumpstart a professional network. 

Program Overview

Timeline: October through April, with registration opening in September
Commitment: Approximately 10 hours of 1:1 meetings (typically every other week)
Format: Virtual or in-person meetings based on mentor-student preferences
Who can mentor: Information professionals of any background, career stage or location, alumni and non-alumni alike

There are no mandatory activities. Each pair shapes a program around the student's goals, from resume reviews to industry introductions to career advice.

Benefits of the iMentorship Program

Who You'll Mentor

Students from the Informatics and MSIM programs who share an interest in using information and technology to improve organizations, with a focus on equity, inclusion and social responsibility. The program is open to all Informatics and MSIM students on a space-available basis.

Informatics students explore a wide range of areas including, but not limited to, data science, human-computer interaction, information architecture, cybersecurity and software development. MSIM students specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, user experience, business intelligence, data science, and product/project management and consulting. Many go on to roles as software developers, UX designers, data analysts, IT consultants and project managers.

What Great Mentoring Looks Like

• Share your professional journey and offer industry insight
• Help expand your student’s network through introductions
• Offer feedback on resumes, portfolios or interview preparation
• Be a supportive sounding board for career decisions

Frequently Asked Questions

How are mentors matched with students?

We consider a few factors when pairing, including program (Informatics or MSIM), career stage, industry focus and location. If you have a preference, for example, wanting to work with a student closer to graduation, or in a specific field, just let us know during registration and we'll factor that in when we make matches.

I'm not an Information School alum, or I just graduated — can I still mentor?

Yes to both. Recent graduates bring current recruiting insight, and non-alumni in information or tech fields enrich our community. Alumni status isn't a requirement.

What is the time commitment?

About 10 hours between October and April. Typically every other week for about an hour, though this flexes with the student's needs. Some pairs meet monthly and use alternating time for network introductions; others meet weekly ahead of a big interview. Mentors may also spend time outside 1:1s reviewing a resume or business plan.

What is required to be a mentor?

Mentors are required to review and agree to our mentoring code of conduct as part of registration.

Do I need to be in Seattle, or meet in person?

No, remote mentors do just as well as local ones, and several students are looking to relocate in the future, so mentors elsewhere can be especially valuable. Pairs decide together whether to meet virtually or in person in a public setting.

Is there any cost to participate, or any compensation involved?

No, iMentorship is entirely volunteer-based. There's no cost to join, just your time and willingness to support a student.

Can I mentor more than one student at a time?

Yes, as long as you have the capacity to meet with each student 1 on 1. If you're interested in mentoring more than one student, email iEngage@uw.edu and let us know how many mentees you'd like to take on.

Want more detail? Watch a recording of our 2025 Mentor Appreciation Event.

Have questions? Contact Stephanie Ho and the iEngage team at iEngage@uw.edu.

Note: Students in the Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) program can find mentorship opportunities through iSTAMP. Prospective mentors should note that iSTAMP has a separate application process and timeline from iMentorship and should pursue the best-fit mentorship program for their skills and interests.