STEM Mentorship: Biggest Takeaways for High School and College STEM Graduates

Mentorship is an immense strength for students of all ages, in all disciplines. Being able to ask questions, build a relationship with a professional in your field, and get inspired are invaluable resources for students and early career professionals.

It is also known that mentoring is even more effective for women and girls in STEM when mentored by another female. Programs have been proven to increase grade point averages and help students discover their unique scientific identity.

With graduation season upon us, many women in STEM are preparing to graduate and take on their next chapter, whether that be the start of their career, further education, or other post-grad experiences. For women who had the opportunity to be mentored throughout their high school or college journeys, they’re taking what they’ve learned with them.

From Harvard to Medical School

Emma Ton graduated Harvard with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in December 2023. One of her most valuable experiences throughout college was being a part of Harvard’s WiSTEM (Women in STEM) program.

“I came to Harvard pretty much like a blank slate, since everything at the college is so drastically different from what I had learned in my 12 years studying in the public school system in Hanoi, Vietnam,” Ton told Built By Girls. Because she had to spend time learning and adapting to a new school system, Ton didn’t choose her major until late in her sophomore year. As she started coding courses, she sought out mentorship and found the WiSTEM program at her school.

“Mentorship was crucial in the fall of my junior year, when it was my first time taking three problem-set heavy classes at the same time with no previous exposure to any of them,” Ton reflected. “[My mentor] helped me to realize my own strength, encouraged me to use office hours, [and] gave me specific advice on how...to engage with other students in collaborative problem solving,” she shares. “Basically, he taught me what I’d like to call ‘How to Do STEM.’”

Now that she’s graduated, Ton plans to pursue medical school. “I hope to use the skills I have learned in computer science to do research and get comfortable with new technologies in general,” she explains about her takeaways from college. “I’m really grateful [to] my mentor for having been there for me when I first took my baby steps in computer science [and] for empowering me with a can-do attitude.”

About four in five undergraduate students say that their confidence in researching improved with mentorship. As Ton’s experiences can attest, mentorship can help develop both core skills specific to the field and lessons that have broader life applications.

When asked about the value of mentorship for women in STEM, Ton responded: “Indispensable. Crucial. Immeasurably rewarding and satisfying.” Her advice to students who want to find and take advantage of mentorship opportunities? “Just. Reach. Out. There are people who have been there, done that and would be more than happy to offer you insights, wisdom, and support…in whatever ways they can.”

Mentorship in High School

Carolyn He is the President of Women in STEM, an organization that facilitates mentorship relationships for high school girls interested in STEM. While she is only a junior herself, He has already had the opportunity to build a relationship with a mentor and help girls in STEM across the world find mentorship.

“There was always someone else that I could ask questions to with a very different perspective, background, [and] a different set of experiences,” He told Built By Girls about her relationship with her Women in STEM mentor. “It’s definitely been very empowering to hear from another women in the field, especially…one who’s a little bit older.”

An aspiring math major, He was able to gain insight early on that will help her in the future. Helping shape STEM students’ scientific identities is one of the key mentoring benefits that scientists have found. Having the opportunity to grow with the help of a mentor throughout high school can help women better understand their scientific identity before entering college.

“The value of mentorship is knowing that no matter how alienating or disparaging it can sometimes be to be a woman in the STEM fields…it’s incredibly empowering to know that there is someone else who understands your frustrations [and] who is able to support you,” He emphasizes.

Just Reach Out

Though He and Ton are at different points in their education and careers, the consensus is clear: taking the first step to reach out to a potential mentor can be a pivotal part of your STEM journey.

There are a few ways to go about finding a mentor. There are organizations like Women in STEM that have mentorship programs you can sign up for. Typically organizations like this will connect you with a mentor and help facilitate a positive relationship with them. Students may also find programs through their schools, like Ton did. Most colleges have a program focused on women in tech or STEM, and some high schools also have similar clubs.

You don’t have to be a part of a program to find mentorship, either. Students can find mentors among professors, internship coordinators, or even older students and alumni.

“A lot of the time, we are intimidated to ask those…who may be older than us. But at the end of the day, everyone wants to help even if everyone may not have time,” He commented. “Don’t be afraid to reach out.”

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Hailey Dickinson (she/her) is a freelance writer for Built By Girls and has been writing for the publication since January 2023. She is a creator passionate about using digital platforms to build community, make connections, and ignite positive social change. Outside of writing for Built By Girls, she manages social media and communications for multiple non-profit organizations. She is a recent graduate from the University of Minnesota and has a Bachelor’s degree in communications.