Campus Philly’s new mentorship program is for college students seeking tech careers

The nonprofit Campus Philly is launching the Tech Mentorship Forum for “racially diverse” college students seeking careers in the tech industry.

Designed as a “mentorship circle” rather than making exclusively one-to-one connections, the forum will convene groups of 10 students and two mentors, who are experienced tech pros working at one of Campus Philly’s partner companies, starting with Vanguard. The groups will meet virtually and biweekly over eight weeks to discuss professional development tactics, and mentors will share feedback directly with students. Students who complete the program will receive a $250 stipend.

The program is open to rising college juniors and seniors from the Philadelphia region. Applications are due by Aug. 15.

The program comes are part of Campus Philly’s involvement with the Most Diverse Tech Hub initiative, funded by the City of Philadelphia to boost diversity in the local tech industry. (Technical.ly has also received funding from this initiative.)

“We wanted to expand our commitment to the initiative, and by leveraging our professional contacts in the tech sector, we can further support diverse college students as they pursue a career in tech,” Campus Philly President Jen Kebea said of the Tech Mentorship Forum.

In its first year with the program, Campus Philly launched the Tech Scholars program to fund internships for Black and brown college students. That program will return in fall 2022, Kebea said.