The program's founder and executive director, Carol B. Muller, was then working as an associate dean at Dartmouth's School of Engineering. The program expanded nationally in 1997, and it is now based at San Jose State University. Last year, MentorNet successfully matched more than 1,200 students, or proteges, with mentors. Many mentors are employed at contributing organizations, although any industry professional who has access to electronic mail and who works for private industry, a governmental agency, or a national laboratory can volunteer. Through electronic mail, MentorNet connects the campuses with the world beyond.
Electronic mail makes a much more efficient use of time.
She adds that MentorNet is an additional resource that gives students exposure to career fields and is not a replacement for academic or alumni mentors. Susan Cheung, a civil-engineering sophomore at the University of Virginia, says MentorNet allowed her to explore beyond course offerings. UVa doesn't have that major. Ms. Cheung says she felt comfortable consulting her mentor about both choosing classes and solving nonacademic problems. But simply communicating with one's mentor via e-mail does not a relationship make.