The HCDE Mentorship Pods program pairs small groups of students with experienced professionals to meet monthly from January through May. Through guided conversations and shared experiences, pods explore topics like:
- Interviewing and portfolios
- Navigating job descriptions and negotiations
- Career paths and industry trends
- Building confidence and communication skills
Whether you're a student curious about your next step, or a mentor ready to give back, this is your chance to build meaningful professional relationships that last beyond graduation.
Why join the HCDE mentorship pod program
For students
Get real-world insight and grow your confidence. Mentorship Pods are ideal for students who want to:
- Practice networking in a safe, supportive space
- Learn directly from professionals in UX, research, and design
- Build relationships that may shape your future career
- Strengthen "soft skills" like communication, reflection, and leadership
For mentors
Share your experiences, support the next generation, and gain fresh perspective. As a mentor, you’ll:
- Connect with 2–4 students in monthly small-group sessions
- Receive digital resources to help guide your pod’s conversations
- Reflect on your own career journey while supporting others
How It works
Mentors and students are matched into pods in December. Pods set their own meeting format and schedule—most choose Zoom or in-person meetups at least once a month.
Timeline
- July–November – Returning and new mentor sign-ups
- September–November – Student sign-ups & info sessions
- December – Students and mentors notified of Pod matches
- January–May – Monthly meetings among pods
Expectations
Mentees commit to:
- Being present and engaged at each monthly meeting
- Preparing questions or goals ahead of time. Expect to spend 30 minutes prior to each meeting brainstorming questions and conversation topics for your pod.
- Asking for advice, not jobs—this is about learning, not recruiting
- Supporting your peers and helping the pod grow together
- Following through—participation is required to remain eligible next year. Once students are matched with a pod, no changes can be made.
Mentors commit to:
- Hosting monthly meetings with your pod
- Sharing stories, tools, and reflections from your own path
- Listening with curiosity and care
- Guiding in-meeting discussions to help with student with career discovery and planning
- Ensuring the discussions are a safe environment. Lead with the best intentions and be curious
- Suggesting resources or ideas for future meetings (like a TED talk, podcast, or articles that may be relevant), and let students know how you would like them to prepare for the next meeting.
Ideas from past mentors
Returning mentors share their best practices with incoming mentors at an annual kickoff meeting. Here are some ideas that have worked well in the past.
- Bring in a colleague to share another perspective
- Give a behind-the-scenes look at a recent project
- Review portfolios or resumes together
- Host a tour of your workplace
- Share the highs and lows of your career path
- Leave time for Q&A
- Be flexible
Ready to join?
Applications for the 2025-2026 Mentorship Pod program will open soon; check back here for information by Fall 2025.
Questions? Reach out to Melissa Ewing at mewing3@uw.edu or Kathleen Rascon at khorenst@uw.edu.