Mentorship Program Information for Students

The Department of Economics application to participate in the undergraduate mentorship program will open in early fall of each year.

Meeting virtually - many of our mentors have been meeting with their students remotely for years with tremendous results. Students are able to access zoom for free through their netIDs, although students are free to use whatever platform they and their mentor prefer. 

In general, graduating 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. Topics addressed during mentor meetings are many, and 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.

Curious about our mentors? You can see a list of our current mentors. You are welcome to indicate a specific mentor or mentors with whom you’d like to be placed on your application, but we can’t guarantee placement.

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.

Questions can be directed to:

econdept@uw.edu

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