International telecommunications and the information superhighway have eliminated many boundaries and multiplied opportunities for individuals to be connected. Mentoring those students who have been previously denied these opportunities is essential to their success. The major objective of the HBCU e-Net is to prepare students to participate confidently in a technical research environment. The mentor can provide career advice, answer questions, provide information resources, and consult with the student about opportunities. Students will be selected and matched with a mentor who will agree to contact the student at least three times a month via e-mail and twice a year by phone.
Students can send questions or comments back via e-mail to their mentor.
An International Conference of Industry Mentors and HBCUs Students will be held after the first 2 years of the HBCU e-Net. The program allows students a chance to understand the technical and personal challenges they will face in business and industry. This guidance will further prepare and encourage them to continue to feed the pipeline of capable, competent, and qualified engineers and scientists. Faculty members are exposed to peers conducting similar research, have opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed technical journals, are exposed to new and innovative research techniques, review unprecedented results, identify opportunities for joint research projects and proposals, and provide opportunities for graduate students to participate in significant research. Small businesses will also have an opportunity to network and find potential partners for other coordinated ventures.