Conexiones Mentorship Program
Become a Mentor
The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley is seeking dedicated STEM professionals who are passionate about supporting the next generation of Latino talent. Through the Conexiones Mentorship Program, you can help a college student navigate their transition from the classroom to a successful STEM career.
Conexiones connects recipients of the Latinos in Technology Scholarship with STEM professionals who serve as mentors, advisors, and advocates. Over five months, mentors provide personalized career guidance, help scholars build professional connections, and support their development as emerging STEM professionals.
Mentors are paired with scholars pursuing a compatible educational and career trajectory and meet for 1 hour each month, following a structured curriculum provided by HFSV. A Program Overview curriculum document is provided to guide and navigate each session. Participants will work together to establish meaningful goals, strengthen professional materials, explore career pathways, and develop a plan for continued growth beyond the program. Mentors may also help explore graduate school, develop contacts, and identify resources for high-tech careers.
About the Program
- Program Cycle: January 2027 – May 2027
- Mentor Application Deadline: Friday, November 27, 2026
- Selection Notification: Friday, December 18, 2026
- Required Mentor Orientation: Monday, January 11, 2027
Mentor Qualifications
- BA/BS Degree in a STEM-related major or relevant professional experience.
- Currently employed Full-time/Part-time in the STEM industry.
- Committed to supporting a first-generation Latino college student in STEM to navigate post-grad entry-level employment or graduate degrees.
- Commit to at least 1 hour per month, for 5 months, to mentor a student. Monthly meetings can be either virtual or in-person depending on what works best for you and your mentee.
- You do not need to be an expert in your field. Your personal and professional experience is sufficient.
Mentor Expectations
- Attend a required 1 hr virtual orientation in January to review program expectations, the curriculum, and your role as a mentor.
- Provide constructive feedback on professional materials, including resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
- Facilitate networking introductions to other STEM professionals who can offer additional career insight and connections to your mentee.
- Complete brief post-session surveys to help HFSV assess the program’s effectiveness and improve the mentoring experience.
- We strongly encourage mentors who are located in the same region as their mentees to host them for an in-person lunch at their workplace before the end of the program. This is an opportunity for scholars to experience a professional environment, learn more about workplace culture, and connect with STEM professionals.
Upon completing your application, a team member will contact you no later than December 18, 2026 if you are selected to be a mentor for the upcoming cycle. Selected participants will receive an acceptance email and an invitation to their required virtual orientation. Mentor and mentee introductions will be made by email during the week of January 4. For any questions, please reach out to karla@hfsv.org.
It is important to note that while we strive to match all our scholars with mentors, there is a possibility that you will not be matched during this cycle. We will notify you and reconnect again for the next cycle.
Your guidance can shape futures! Take the first step and fill out the mentorship application.