Students visiting with each other outside Engineering Student Services, March 4, 2019. (Photo by Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering)Transfer Mentor Program
The Transfer Mentor Program (TMP) is a year-long program designed to provide individualized mentorship, professional development opportunities, and academic support to junior transfer students in the College of Engineering. As part of this program, you’ll build strong relationships with your mentor or mentee, increase your awareness of campus and off-campus resources, and gain the skills needed to succeed at Berkeley. Students do not need to have participated in the T-PREP program to be a mentor or mentee.
Goals of the program
For mentees:
- To increase the retention and success of transfer students in the College of Engineering
- To provide individualized and ongoing mentorship from peers
- To increase campus acculturation and sense of belonging in the engineering community
- To mitigate the academic, professional, and social challenges faced by many transfer students
For mentors:
- To increase campus acculturation and sense of belonging in the engineering community
- To expand established transfer students’ networks and build community
- To develop leadership skills and confidence in guiding a mentee
- To develop effective communication skills
“Participating in TMP has helped me gain a network despite not being in person. This program has helped me navigate Berkeley curriculum and has made me aware of the many opportunities and resources that are out there.”
— 2020-21 TMP participant
Program details
The TMP is a year-long program. Second and third year junior transfer students in the College of Engineering mentor one to three first-year junior transfer students. There are three components to the TMP:
- Individualized mentorship: You will meet one-on-one with your mentor or mentee throughout the academic year.
- Workshops: You will attend workshops focused on professional development, academic success, and wellness.
- Staff support: You will meet with the program manager throughout your mentorship to discuss any challenges and to ensure progress on both academic and professional goals.
“It was great to get someone else’s perspective that had already been where I was at, and to have them help me step back and see the bigger picture.”
— 2020-21 TMP participant
Requirements
- Submit an application | Applications for the 2022-2023 school year are closed.
Please note that not all mentors and mentees will be selected. There are a limited number of spots and selection will be based on major, interests, and other matching criteria. If selected, mentors will receive a $700 stipend for the year if they are paired with two mentees. Mentors will receive an $800 stipend for the year if they are paired with three mentees. - Attend the mandatory training and kick-off event
- One-on-one meetings and workshops
Mentors and mentees are required to meet at least five times per semester. You will also be required to check-in with the program manager at least two times per semester to update on progress and discuss any challenges. Mentors and mentees are also required to attend all workshops throughout the academic year.
“By sharing my perspective and bringing in guests, my mentees got to see a wide range of experiences and possible careers. From these conversations I could see my mentees becoming more confident about themselves and their decisions with courses and career paths.”
— 2020-21 TMP participant