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Become a Mentor

HELP PLANT THE SEED OF GROWTH BY BECOMING A MENTOR

 

You will make an impact

By becoming a mentor, you have the opportunity to expose youth to new experiences and potential career opportunities that they might not otherwise know about.

You will have fun

Share in young people's joy as they learn new skills and build their self-confidence.

You will expand your own professional resume

You can gain recognition for serving your community while also helping shape young minds and training tomorrow's workforce.

 

 
 
 

 

Four Ways to Volunteer

MENTOR

SHADOW DAY

IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOP

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP

Cultivate a relationship with a student

Welcome a small group of students to your work site

Facilitate a 60-minute in-person industry based workshop at one of BPP's campuses

Facilitate a 60-minute industry based workshop via Zoom

Meet regularly with your student and their Advisor (at least 1X/week for 12 weeks)

Engage students in a hands-on experience in your industry

Share your story

Share your story and display digital work samples

Co-develop projects

Facilitate an introductory workshop

Display work samples

Give a virtual tour of your work site

Host in-person or virtually

Teach students basic industry-specific skills

Engage students in an industry-related task

Engage students in a virtual task

 

What do mentors do?

Part of what makes the BPP model of education so unique is our focus on interest-based, Real World Learning. We want students to find and walk their own pathway to post-secondary success and that means providing them with the skills, tools, and resources they need to do so.

Beginning level students are introduced to a variety of different careers and career pathways by shadowing professionals at their work site, attending virtual and in-person industry-specific workshops, and, after mastering professional competencies, advancing to a two-day per week internship of their choosing. Learn more about our signature Real World Learning program.

Along with their core classes, students work with their Advisor and a mentor to develop a self-designed project and present it as part of an end-of-term exhibition of learning. That's where you come in.

Mentors don't just help students prepare for the workforce, but help youth build positive relationships and grow their self-confidence. Our mentors are an important part of the BPP community--we appreciate our mentors just as much as our students appreciate you!

 

 

How does BPP support mentors?

 
You will be provided with an initial orientation to understand the scope of the mentorship and your responsibilities.
 
Each student-intern has an Advisor (a certified classroom teacher) who serves as an academic and social-emotional guide throughout the student’s school career. The Advisor is also the mentor's primary point of contact and will contact the mentor every internship day and visit at least once a month. Advisors support mentors in understanding their student-intern’s learning style, in developing project work, and in student-intern accountability.
 
Advisors are also troubleshooters and can help brainstorm solutions to any problem that arises, including how to regularly challenge and engage an intern.

Does my workplace have to cover liability insurance?

 
Students are insured through BPP with accident and liability insurance and we require mentors to take potential student-interns on a walk-through of the worksite.
 

Are there any other requirements?

 
All mentors are required to complete Child Abuse and State Background checks. We provide fee-waived clearance access.
 

Still have questions?

 
Fill out our Mentor Interest Form and a member of our Real World Learning team will get back to you shortly or contact them directly by emailing RWL@bigpicturephiladelphia.org