E‐Mentoring: A Longitudinal Approach to Mentoring Relationships for Women Pursuing Technical Careers

Abstract

In recent years, the number of formal mentoring programs has increased dramatically. Mentoring programs that target individuals in underrepresented groups or groups of individuals who, statistically, are not likely to succeed are especially effective. These programs are effective because the mentors provide the protégés with a common community and help them anticipate future decisions. The purpose of this paper is to present an electronic mentoring (E-Mentoring) program designed and established at Northeastern University to provide long-term mentoring experiences for pre-college and college female engineering students. Participants from four different age groups join E-Mentor clubs and develop relationships through regular e-mail communication. Networking socials, scheduled 3-4 times a year, provide the participants an opportunity to interact "face-to-face." The E-Mentoring program began as a pilot program in the Fall of 1996 within the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and has grown to a college-wide program with approximately 250 participants in the Spring of 1999.q "Mentoring is defined as offering practical academic help, explaining the customs, secrets, and myths of the profession; and, sometimes, offering emotional support." 18

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