Volunteer as a Mentor or Instructor for Minds Matter Bay Area, San Jose!

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Currently recruiting for 1 mentor spot this year.

All other roles to begin June 2025.

Join us as a volunteer at Minds Matter Bay Area in San Jose by applying at https://www.mindsmatterbay.org/get-involved

Minds Matter Bay Area (MMBay) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that helps driven yet underserved students break the cycle of poverty by graduating from the nation's top universities. Graduating from a selective college is the most reliable way for low-income students to access well-resourced networks and competitive careers, leave poverty behind, and create their desired future. Yet, only 3% of high-achieving low-income students in the U.S. graduate from a selective college. MMBay aims to solve for college "undermatching" by offering a free, weekly program for all students, which is delivered by a powerful network and community of volunteers who mentor, teach, and accompany our students on their pathway to, through, and beyond college.

VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT

The opportunity to make an impact on a student’s life comes with important responsibilities. When working with youth, one of the key components to building trust is just showing up. Commitment is key with our program-your presence, proactive communication, and conscientiousness are what makes Minds Matter Bay Area work.

• Sessions take place from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM every Saturday during the school year (August through May, with breaks following standard school holidays)
• For Sophomores and Juniors, instructional programs take place from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and mentoring from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
• For Seniors, college application prep takes place from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• We require a minimum attendance of 80% of Saturday sessions (approx. 20 of 25 weeks from August through May) and advanced notice of planned absences
• Building strong relationships with a student is vital for their success and growth, so we strongly prefer a three-year commitment, though we require a minimum of one year

MENTORS

Each student is matched with two mentors, who work closely to help their student become well-rounded and navigate the college experience from application to graduation. Mentors work with their students to explore different majors and career paths and learn a variety of skills, like writing resumes and personal statements, managing time and stress, and presenting and discussing a perspective. Our mentors serve as positive role models and catalysts for the students, encouraging them to fulfill their full potential.

What we look for:

• Ability to hold a high bar and set stretch goals that mentees can achieve
• Knows how to listen and ask the right questions to build trust in a relationship, including creating a safe space for difficult conversations and being available outside of session
• Inquisitive and curious about what motivates and excites people
• Adaptable to a wide variety of personality types, from introverts to extroverts; youth to adults
• Will take initiative, solve problems, be optimistic-but-realistic, collaborative and reliable
• Prior mentorship experience with low-income high school students is a plus

INSTRUCTORS

The instructional component of our programs is designed to equip students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for achieving academic success at school and in their standardized tests. Our instructors serve as guides and role models for our students, encouraging them to deepen their knowledge base and to enjoy the process of learning. Instructors take on a variety of different roles in our organization: leading a class on a subject area, teaching the SAT/ACT, and developing and delivering workshops on close reading, critical thinking, and statement writing skills for our students and their mentors. We will work with you to find a role that best fits your skills and experience.

What we look for:

• Presentation and facilitation skills appropriate to a small group and/or classroom setting
• Depth of knowledge and passion for a particular subject
• Ability to take a complex concept and simplify it, so that anyone can learn it
• Unfettered curiosity for how things work-especially when it comes to academics and tests
• Passion for setting goals and gaining concrete results
• Ability to work in a team and navigate ambiguity
• Prior experience designing a curriculum and instructional materials is a plus

To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.mindsmatterbay.org/get-involved