SEO Scholars Mentor Application: 2024-25 Cohort

Which SEO Scholars Location are you applying to mentor with?

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

What is the application process?

Complete application
Participate in a 20 minute zoom interview with the shift_ed team members
A background check will be conducted on the behalf of SEO Scholars
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis until all spots are filled

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 40 Mentors from the North Carolina 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.

What is the commitment?

Commit to attend three in-person Saturday Community Day sessions in Greensboro, NC from
(October 12th, February 8th, April 26th)
Attend seven virtual mentoring sessions throughout the year, starting in September and ending in May. Each virtual mentoring session will be 2-3 hours, including a 1 hour Mentor Opening Circle
(October 19th, October 26th, November 2nd, February 22nd, March 1st, April 12th, April 19th)
Located in Greensboro, NC
Attend a formal mentor orientation and training in September 2024

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

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 as SF Program team member
Pass a background check, including fingerprinting and DOJ processing (Live Scan)

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 120 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 10 sessions, starting in November and ending in May- 4 sessions will be in person and 6 will be virtual. Each meeting will be 2 hours and will include 30 minutes of Mentor Professional Development.
Fall Dates: 11/2,11/16, 11/23, 12/6
Spring Dates: 1/25, 2/1, 3/1, 3/22, 4/19, 5/10
Underlined dates will be in person sessions, all other dates will be Zoom sessions
Located in downtown San Francisco, CA OR Oakland, CA
Attend a formal orientation and training in September

What is the role of an SEO Scholars Mentor?

Have a bachelor’s degree or enrolled in final year of undergrad
Ideally 2+ years of professional experience
Pass a background check- Live Scan (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

Contact and Demographic Information

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone Number

Current Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

Select your preferred SEO programming location.

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

The Mentoring Commitment

Are you an SEO alum?

Have you served as an SEO Scholars mentor before?

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 October and May (12 sessions total, 4 in person and 8 virtual).

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

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?

Submission

Thank you for completing this application! Please submit below and expect a response in the next 2-3 weeks.