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IBM MentorPlace is a key component of IBM's overall commitment to public education and raising student achievement. Through this corporate volunteer program, thousands of IBM employees around the world are providing students with online academic assistance and career counseling, while letting them know that adults do care about their issues and concerns.
The program provides a meaningful and convenient way for IBM employees to volunteer their time and talents in schools. IBM employees have distinguished themselves as giving volunteers; this program helps further this tradition by giving IBMers with busy work and home schedules the opportunity to contribute virtually, circumventing time and distance barriers to volunteerism.
MentorPlace is a structured program that includes mandatory training, safety and security procedures, weekly communication, evaluation, and face-to-face opportunities. IBM works with teachers to determine what online activities they would like their students to work on with their mentors. Activities cover all core academic areas, including science and math. Traditional mentoring conversations also take place.
Mentors and students communicate with one another through a secure online communications tool developed based upon IBM's MentorPlace program by ePals, Inc. The tool is currently available in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
More than 6,000 IBMers in more than 35 countries are participating in the program. |
