Applications for the 2026-2027 cycle will open in Fall Quarter of 2026.
The undergraduate mentorship program links undergraduate economics students with local industry professionals (and often UW ECON alumni) who volunteer as mentors. Mentoring allows the student to learn about specific jobs, career paths, networking, organizational cultures, business functions and industries. Students receive constructive feedback about career goals, career building, personal skills and business skills. The program mission is to enrich and support the professional, academic, and personal experiences of undergraduate students in the department in order to assist them in the transition from academic to professional life.
In general, seniors are given priority in the application process. Your work experience, extracurricular activities, previous career preparation, and GPA all factor in the admission decision as well.
Students meet at least twice quarterly with their mentors throughout the academic year, though we strongly encourage more frequent meetings. Meetings may be held in person or virtually depending on student and mentor preference. Topics addressed during mentor meetings may include:
- Defining career goals
- Resume feedback
- Interviewing skills
- Qualities employers seek in candidates
- How to conduct an active and effective job search
- Successful networking
Previous participants in the program credited it with helping them develop meaningful interactions with business professionals and a better understanding of how classroom learning applies to the real world.
Student Expectations
As an Economics major and student mentee, you are a representative of the Department of Economics and the University of Washington in addition to representing yourself. As such, a high level of accountability and professional courtesy is required of you throughout the mentoring relationship.
A mentee is a student who is motivated to assume responsibility for her/his own professional and personal development. The partnership between a mentor and mentee is built upon a foundation of trust, respect, and professionalism. As a mentee, you will have the opportunity to:
- Learn about specific jobs, career paths, organizational cultures, and industries.
- Receive constructive feedback about personal and business skills.
- Obtain guidance about everything from networking to how to build a successful career over time.
- Gain insight into specific jobs, career paths, organizational cultures, industries and functions.
- Learn how executives face difficult challenges and find opportunities in today’s complex business environment.
- Receive feedback about your career goals and business skills.
- Obtain guidance about conducting yourself in business settings.
- Create a focused plan with your Mentor and work towards achieving your stated goals for this relationship.