iCONNECT

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MENTORS

When this organization was established, the thought in mind was that they wished someone was there to guide them through the system we know as university. The application process, financial aid, choosing a major-- it's a lot. Not everyone has an older sibling to guide them or the best access to resources. We have all been in their shoes before so we know which mistakes to avoid. With that in mind, why not support them during the beginning of their college journey!

Thank you for your interest in iConnect.

Membership:

• Current UTA student
• Be active with your mentee, at least 1 hour of communication a week
• Attend meetings, fundraisers, socials, etc.
• Fill out monthly report

• Pay membership dues! Venmo: @utaiconnect or email us on ways to pay.
○ Membership + Shirt: $20/year 
○ Membership (Annual): $10
○ Shirt Only: $15

Cord Requirements

Fulfill 10 Service Points
These points can be earned through these categories:
➜ Attend General Meetings (5 Points MAX)
➜ Volunteer through fundraisers, workshops, socials, guest speaking, etc. (1 point each event)
➜ Refer a friend to become a mentor (1 point)
➜ Reposting social media content (1 point)
➜ Due to COVID-19, more ways will be added for members to earn points

Exclusive for UTA students
*For graduating students, if requirements are not met members can pay $10 for the cord.

Mentorship Process

1. Fill out the application. This information will help us with the pairing process and find a mentee that's best suited for you.
2. Both mentor and mentee will be added into a virtual platform, such as GroupMe or Microsoft Teams.
3. Introduce each other and begin answering your mentee's questions. It may be slow at first, but soon you will be providing guidance and advice to your mentee!

FAQ

Q: Do I meet up with my mentee?
A: Due to COVID-19, we are refraining from face-to-face meetings. Regardless, it is not required to meet up with mentees. Communication through the chosen virtual platform is the main source to talk to your mentee. This can be purely texting or video chatting.

Q: How often am I required to contact my mentee?
A: There should be at least 1 hour of communication each week. This is a guideline for mentors to follow. Basically, a mentee should not notify us that their mentor has ghosted them!

Q: What do I talk about?
A: This answer is different for everyone! It may difficult to spark a conversation initially, but first the mentor should introduce themselves (name, current major/year, etc.). It's important to simply get to know each other. Always reassure your mentee that you are there to help. Even if you don't have anything to say, just ask how your mentee is doing! The idea is for mentors to help the transition into college by answering questions about majors, colleges, opportunities, courses, and more.



Q: What if I don’t know the answer to their question?
A: That is okay! We don’t expect you to know everything. We have or will find resources to answer their question.

Q: How long will I be paired with my mentee?
A: Ideally, one academic year. It can be adjusted accordingly.

Q: Is it like tutoring? Are we getting paid?
A: No, this is not a paid tutoring service!

Please contact us if you have any more questions.

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MENTEES

SAT, majors, scholarships... These are some of the thoughts that you may have when you start thinking about your college future. Before you know it, college applications will be right around the corner. You have no clue what what career you want to go into or what interests you? Where do you even start?

Benefits of Having a Mentor:

➜ Career exploration and gain insight on majors you’re interested in
➜ Have someone guide you and answer questions you’re curious about
➜ Receive advice from people who already experienced failures and success
➜ Improve your leadership skills and grow as an individual
➜ Broaden your perspective and get out of your comfort zone
➜ Network and create meaningful connections

Mentorship Process

1. Fill out the application. This information will help us with the pairing process and find a mentor that's best suited for you.
2. Both mentor and mentee will be added into a virtual platform, such as GroupMe or Microsoft Teams.
3. Introduce each other and get to know your mentor! Remember, your mentor is there for you so don't be afraid to ask questions. You get what you put into it!

FAQ

Q: What else does iConnect do?
A: There are other opportunities besides the peer-mentorship! iConnect plans to host events with guest speakers in different career fields and college recruiters. There will be workshops such as for resume-building, interview skills, and more!

Q: How will we be paired?
A: iConnect will pair you based on your application. We try to find someone that's majoring in your intended major and have similar interests!

Q: How do I contact my mentor?
A: Due to COVID-19, we are refraining from face-to-face meetings. Regardless, it is not required to meet up with your mentor. Communication through the chosen virtual platform is the main source to talk to your mentee. This can be purely texting or video chatting.

Q: What if I don't like my mentor?
A: A monthly report should be filled to see how each mentorship is progressing. If there is an issue, it will be adjusted accordingly.

Please contact us if you have any more questions.

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CONTACT US

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @utaiconnect

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ABOUT

iConnect is a student and peer-mentorship organization based at the University of Texas at Arlington whose goal is to provide aspiring high school students with the resources to reach their college and career goals. Our mission is to bridge the gap between secondary education and college!


Interested in learning more about iConnect? Read more about becoming a mentor or mentee.

iConnect Executive Board:

Faculty Advisor:

Susan Dequeant, M.Ed.
Service Learning Director
Maverick Advantage Faculty Engagement Program Lead
[email protected]