Thrive's Mentorship programs are data-informed and structured using a Social Capital Framework.
We offer two mentorship types that support Scholars in their personal (bonding-based) and professional (bridging-based) development through college.
MENTORSHIP YEAR
Bonding-Based Social Capital is described as the close ties that help people get by. During the Mentorship Year, mentors support first-year Scholars in adjusting to life at top colleges, navigating imposter syndrome, and provide early career exposure.
- Matching: Mentors and Scholars are matched based on the Scholars's preferences and interests that help to create a bond between two people. (e.g. age, hobbies, location, alma mater, and similar shared identities.) Matching typically takes place at the start of the academic year (fall).
- Commitment: Pairs commit to connecting at least monthly and keeping Thrive updated over the course of one academic year.
- Pairs can choose to continue formally on an annual basis until the Scholars graduation.
MENTORSHIP PROJECT CYCLE
Bridging-Based Social Capital is described as weaker-ties that can help people get ahead and gain opportunities. During a Project-Cycle, mentors support upper-level Scholars by linking them to companies, resources, industry-specific skills, and networks that advance their career development and propel economic mobility.
- Matching: Mentors and Scholars are matched based on the Scholars's professional interests and industry-specific growth-areas that support interviewing at top companies, gaining exposure to various industries, and expanding their network. Matching takes place on a rolling-basis over the course of the academic year.
- Commitment: Mentors support a Scholar with an industry-specific, and/or skill-building-specific goal, meeting 5-8 times over the course of one quarter.
- After the initial commitment is complete, pairs will have the option to commit to a Mentorship Year if they wish to continue working together in a formal mentorship setting, or stay connected informally outside of the Thrive program as a professional connection.