SEO Scholars San Francisco Mentor Application: 2023-24 Cohort

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Thank you for your interest in mentoring with SEO Scholars! We look forward to learning about you.

What is the application process?

Complete application ASAP; acceptances will be accepted on a rolling basis until spots filled
Participate in a 20 minute zoom interview with the 11th Grade Program Manager
Pass a background check, including fingerprinting and DOJ processing

About SEO Scholars: SEO Scholars is a rigorous 8-year academic program that serves historically excluded, first generation college bound high school students to and through 4-year colleges. SEO Scholars creates a more equitable society by closing the academic and opportunity gap for motivated young people, setting the standard for academics, mentorship, community, positive peer support, and a powerful, lifelong network.
About SEO Mentor Program: The goal of our Mentor Program is to ensure each of our scholars becomes a competitive college applicant and confident aspiring professional. We require each of our Junior Scholars to attain an internship and/or enrichment program in the summer before their senior year. We match each of our Juniors with a mentor to get the guidance and tools to help them reach this requirement. Across one year, mentors will support their students with (1) career-building skills, (2) college and career exploration, and (3) building their network. We are looking for 60 Mentors from the San Francisco/East Bay Area area to support a dedicated and hardworking Scholar throughout their 11th-grade year. Our project-based mentoring model supports the development of critical life skills, encourages relationship-building, allows mentors to share their own experiences, and provides students with the tools they will need to navigate both college and their future careers. Mentors attend in person workshops for a full academic year with their mentee. What is the commitment?

Commit to 12 in person meetings, for one full year, starting in October and ending in May. Each meeting will be 2-3 hours, 1-2 times per month.
Fall Mentor Dates Are: 10/14, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/17
Spring Dates Are: 1/27, 2/3, 3/2, 3/30, 4/27, 5/11
Located in San Francisco, CA
Attend a formal orientation and training in September

What is the role of an SEO Scholars Mentor?

Have a bachelor’s degree
Have 2+ years of professional experience
Pass a background check (paid for by SEO Scholars)
Maintain consistent and reliable communication with scholar/mentee
Cultivate a trusting professional relationship
Supportive of the scholar's academic and professional growth
Model professionalism and maintain SEO Scholars mission and value of academics and growth

What is the commitment?

Commit to 12 in person meetings, for one full year, starting in September and ending in May. Each meeting will be 2-3 hours, 1-2 times per month.
Located in San Francisco, CA
Attend a formal orientation and training in September

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Contact and Demographic Information

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Current Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

What is your racial/ethnic background?

What is your gender?

Date of birth

Place of birth [if you were born outside of the US, please indicate when you arrived in the country]

What is your current job title?

Name of employer?

Please briefly describe any past employment.

Please describe your educational background including high school, undergraduate degree, and any graduate degrees.

Please describe any hobbies or relevant skills/experiences that you hope to share with a mentee.

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The Mentoring Commitment

Are you an SEO alum?

Which program?

Please describe any previous exposure you've had to SEO.

Please describe any previous experiences you've had as a mentor or mentee.

The SEO Scholars Mentor Program has an enormous impact on both the young people that we serve and the mentors who support them. Our Scholars come from highly vulnerable populations and consistency is crucial to their social-emotional well being and relationship building with adults. To create the best conditions for a successful pairing, mentors commit to attending all designated sessions between September and May (12 sessions total, dates to be communicated within the next few weeks).

Do you believe your work schedule and other commitments will allow for you to be a consistent presence for a Scholar?

Please explain your choice

To ensure that Scholars are supported at each session, SEO Scholars SF maintains a list of substitute mentors to draw from when regular mentors are unable to attend. Mentor alternates are under no obligation to attend all session dates and agree to be contacted with requests for participation as the need arises.

Is an alternate mentor position a better fit for your schedule?

If we are unable to place you with a Scholar, are you willing to become an alternate mentor?

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The Mentor Experience

What are you hoping to gain from mentoring with SEO Scholars?

Please describe any prior mentoring experiences with youth and/or career

What past experiences do you anticipate will help you relate to our Scholars?

Do you have any questions at this time?

Is there any additional information that you would like to add?

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Thank you for completing this application! Please submit below and expect a response in the next 2-3 weeks. Reach out to Cristina Ortiz (cristina.ortiz@seoscholars.org) if you have any questions.

Contact Information