Mentoring for Entrepreneurship Students

The University of Maryland Entrepreneurship Mentoring Program is open to all students. The program utilizes a mentoring program database that contains contact and expertise data for volunteer mentors.

Two levels characterize mentoring services. Level 1 is called just-in-time mentoring to reflect a basic stage of need that is frequently requested by undergraduates early in their entrepreneurship journey. The MBA graduate assistant and on-site program manager provide level 1 mentoring. The mentoring is provided in such a way as to help students to learn to succinctly define their problem and efficiently utilize their time with the mentor. This level provides answers to specific and well-defined questions that can be answered in a short time and with relatively brief interaction. In addition to answering the specific question, also included is an assessment of the need for further mentoring. If needed, a referral is provided to faculty volunteers and/or outside mentors from the database. Also included at this stage is a feedback process so that positive interactions are reinforced and evaluated for future reference.

Level 2 mentoring involves deeper, ongoing mentoring relationships.

The University of Maryland Student Mentoring Program is sponsored by the Smith School's Entrepreneurship Faculty and the Hinman CEOs Program. It is managed by the Hinman CEOs Program. Entrepreneurship faculty and practicing entrepreneurs and financiers offer student mentoring in business planning, marketing, and financing. The Clark School of Engineering is a source of mentoring for technical subjects. The Office of Technology Commercialization and Office of Information Technology provide advice on intellectual property issues. Other internal partners as well as external law partners provide mentoring on legal issues.

For more information contact: Jerfy John at 301.345.4439, or click here Entrepreneurship Mentoring Program.