Mentors are students that either have more experience in the spaces or just generally want to get more involved. They are there to offer guidance to students and ensure student safety in the spaces. Emphasis is placed on being friendly and encouraging and sharing knowledge. Mentors are also in a very good position to learn from other users as they go. Interested in becoming a mentor? Please read all of the following details regarding responsibilities and requirements for the mentor role and application, and fulfill the application components within the timelines below.
The application window for mentors for the Fall 2023 semester is now open. Read the following to see if you would be interested in becoming a mentor, and keep an eye out here and in Slack for more information about the next application cycle!
Mentors are students that either have more experience in the spaces or just generally want to get more involved. They are there to offer guidance to students and ensure student safety in the spaces. Emphasis is placed on being friendly and encouraging and sharing knowledge. Mentors are also in a very good position to learn from other users as they go. Interested in becoming a mentor? Please read all of the following details regarding responsibilities and requirements for the mentor role and application, and fulfill the application components within the timelines below.
Why become a mentor?
You will receive swipe access to the spaces for the semester, in addition to using it to open the spaces while you’re on duty, you are able to use them any other time Benedum is open, as long as you continue following all safety rules
Each semester of mentoring counts as one credit towards the Innovation, Product Design, and Entrepreneurship Certificate, up to three credits
Free stuff! At the end of the semester we give each mentor a cool gift in appreciation for their hard work. Each additional semester you mentor you’ll receive a different gift!
Past gifts have included T-shirts and Arduino kits, sweatshirts, overalls or bomber jackets with Makerspace patches, and for the most seasoned mentors, new 3D printers!
It’s a great addition to your resume! Graduate schools and employers will be impressed with the initiative it takes to be a mentor and become an expert on some of our machines
See the cool projects other students are working on! Between XProjects, class projects, senior design, clubs, and personal projects you’ll see a wide range of amazing things getting made in the spaces!
Mentor Responsibilites
All mentors are required to attend meetings every other week for the entire semester to keep everyone on the same page (these will most likely be on the weekend)
Mentors who are unable to make the meetings must notify the lead team ahead of time and are expected to watch the recording of the meeting so that they don’t miss any important information
Mentors must hold four (4) mentor hours a week entirely in-person.
In-person mentors will alternate between the ISS, Treehouse, and BiU each week
Mentors will be expected to follow proper procedures for cancelling or getting their shifts covered by another mentor
These hours must be during the week, although you'll be allowed to open the spaces during the weekends
In-person mentor hour duties include:
Enforcing our regular room safety and COVID-19 safety rules
Ensuring that all tools and machines are used safely
Helping users with their projects as needed
Running students through the relevant In Person Training after they have completed the initial safety training
Mentor duties do NOT include putting together or designing someone’s project for them
Mentors should regularly check the Slack and answer questions people may have
Mentors will receive training for every machine in the spaces
Application Requirements
Characteristics of a good mentor:
Friendly
Confident
Punctual
Approachable
Enthusiastic about learning
Enthusiastic about the makerspaces
Good communicator
Any current Pitt student may apply, the makerspaces are not limited to just engineering students!
We prefer that applicants have experience in the spaces as a user before becoming a mentor
New mentor applicants must complete the basic ISS/BiU safety training and Treehouse Training before submitting their final application
If you haven’t completed both trainings yet, don’t worry, just email Amelia Dubendorf, our Mentor Manager at amd295@pitt.edu to set up training during the application window
Dates to Know
Application deadline: April 14th @ 11:59 PM Interview window: April 17th - April 21st
Application Details
The mentor application consists of:
Submission of the mentor application form
A 20 minute interview with our faculty advisors, Dr. Clark or Brandon Barber.
