Tri-Mentoring Program
Share your experience with a current UBC Computer Science Students and participate in a program that connects students with you, our alumni.
The UBC Computer Science Tri-Mentoring program connects students with experienced industry and UBC faculty professionals, and with fellow students. With a mentor’s help students work towards careers-related goals, meet new friends, gain different career perspectives, and become part of the larger Vancouver tech community.
The program’s tri-level structure means that the senior student you mentor is in turn mentoring a more junior student, on topics such as course planning, student life, and extracurricular activities. Student participants come from a variety of CS programs: our various Bachelor’s degree programs, our BCS (Computer Science 2nd degree) program, and from our Master’s program.
Mentors gain from the experience through interacting with bright, motivated students, networking with fellow mentors, developing new skills, and having the opportunity to promote their specific industry.
Marking our 25th anniversary in 2025-26, our award-winning CS program is the largest among various UBC tri-mentoring groups. For the 2023 - 2024 year a total of 450+ students and mentors took part. As a mentor, you join a group of experienced and committed CS professionals. Some have been mentors for 10, 15 and even 20 years. Some even began as student mentees themselves in the program!
The Tri-Mentoring program’s activities includes kick-off and end-of-year wrap-up celebrations, in-person mentoring meetings and online contact with students. There are also optional mentor professional development events and opportunities to provide feedback to students in technical interview skills practice sessions or personal project feedback groups.
Mentor Required Commitments
The total required time commitment for industry or faculty mentors is 25-35 hours. This includes:
- completing the online mentor recruitment survey/application
- reviewing the Mentor Handbook content
- attending the program kick-off event, where you'll meet your student mentee(s)
- meeting your student triads at least once each term (either in-person or through online platforms)
- additional communication with your student as needed
- attending the late March program wrap-up event
- completing the online feedback and exit surveys
More details about these activities available here.
Mentor Benefits
- Providing students with careers-related support, guidance, and inspiration
- Increasing your professional network across a wide sector of the tech industry
- Ability to role model and encourage professionalism in students
- Deepening your connection with the UBC Computer Science Department
- Contributing to your industry’s future by assisting the next generation of leaders
- Ability to “pay forward” some of the support and inspiration you have received throughout your career.
- Connecting with prospective talent for your company
Mentor Eligibility Requirements
- You are currently working in a Computer-Science related role within the Lower Mainland
- You have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in Computer Science or Computer Engineering
- You are available to meet with your student mentee(s) at least two times between the start of the program and late March, and to interact further via various communication tools
Mentor Resources and Program Contacts
- Contact us at trimentoring@cs.ubc.ca;for further inquiries and information on how to apply.
- Here are some videos on how to be an effective mentor.
- Get tips on being an effective mentor from our Mentor Handbook
