IEN's 
August 16, 2023 | 1 pm ET
This mentorship program pairs students with experts from the sustainable investing industry to provide real-world experience in sustainable investing and build their professional networks. The mentorship program aims to engage students with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including students of color and low-income students; with a goal of creating a more diverse pipeline of finance professionals with a solid grasp on sustainable investing.
Sign Up To Be a Mentee
If you are a current graduate or undergraduate student interested in learning more about the sustainable investing field and being paired with a mentor who will provide career and/or project-based support, and you are able to dedicate one hour a month for a six-month period to engage one-on-one with an expert in the field, you are welcome to participate.
To sign-up to be a mentee, please fill out this form.
Sign Up To Be a Mentor
If you are a current professional at an IEN member institution, working in any area of the sustainable investing industry, and are able to dedicate one hour a month for a six-month period to engage one-on-one with a current student, you are welcome to participate. Resources on how to be most effective as a mentor will be made available at the start of the program.
To sign-up to be a mentor, please fill out this form.
Participant Roles & Responsibilities
Mentees are expected to:
- Develop with their mentor a set of tangible and feasible goals to complete within the term of the mentorship (i.e. establish ESG criteria for student-managed fund, introduce impact investing unit to finance course, host half-day event on sustainable investing);
- Schedule and attend phone or in-person meetings with their mentor once a month to update them on progress in relation to their set goals and request feedback;
- Share the results of their mentorship with The SIILK Network and IEN more broadly through a blog post, report, case study, or other deliverable(s).
Mentors are expected to:
- Help their mentee develop a set of tangible and feasible goals for the formal mentorship period that leverage their expertise;
- Offer ongoing support and guidance to their mentee, both in relation to those goals and their broader career goals;
- Connect with their mentee once a month over the term of the project;
- Offer career advice, opportunities for informational interviews with colleagues, and access to relevant educational materials.
Selection, Eligibility, & Term
Participants in the program are selected and matched by IEN staff based on applications received through an annual call for mentors and mentees. Participation as a mentor or mentee is a six-month commitment, with required monthly calls to check-in on progress.
In order to apply to be a mentor, an organization must be an IEN Member. A full member list and information on membership are available.
In order to apply to be a mentee, students must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program with a demonstrated interest in sustainable investing.
Benefits to Participants
Both mentors and mentees benefit from the Mentorship Program through development and enhancement of professional skill sets. Specifically,
Mentees benefit by:
- Successfully implementing a project and developing new skills and expertise;
- Having access to support and new perspectives throughout project development and overall career development;
- Building their professional network.
Mentors benefit by:
- Enhancing their leadership skills and developing a reputation as subject matter experts and leaders;
- Deriving satisfaction from actively working toward the goal of creating a more diverse pipeline of finance professionals with a solid grasp on sustainable investing;
- Receiving recognition from IEN as a mentor on our website and in mentorship program materials.
Contact
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Nicole Torrico at [email protected]
