e-Mentoring: WELL Links

BHS with IBM

On a surprisingly warm day in January, the IBM Activity and Fitness Center was buzzing. The employees were utilizing the tennis and basketball courts, but the most exciting exercise was happening inside. Teams of Broughton High School (BHS) students and IBM executives were testing their engineering skills by using aluminum foil, straws, and tape to create structures that could float in water and hold pennies. The team designing the configuration holding the most cargo won a friendly competition that served as an icebreaker for the participants in an inventive program that pairs IBM workers with BHS juniors and seniors. Developed by Nicole Pride, IBM’s Corporate Community Relations Manager, and coordinated for Broughton by Melissa Doggett, IBM’s Co-op Staffing Operations Representative, e-Mentoring is a program designed to provide middle and high school students the opportunity to correspond electronically with adults in the workplace. Between bites of pizza and oversized cookies, mentors and mentees had the opportunity to meet face to face and get acquainted at the kickoff luncheon.

Broughton High School is the first school in Wake County and the first high school in the Triangle to become involved in e-Mentoring. Middle schools in Durham have been participating since October 2000. Over 350 employees are taking part in this highly successful project.

"We are excited and proud to be associated with this program," exclaimed BHS principal Diane Payne as she snapped photos of her students sharing pizza and pleasantries with their new mentors. The three teachers whose classes are taking part were also beaming. Technology teacher Debbie Richon, math teacher John Pritchett, and career development coordinator Ruth Thompson are looking forward to an ongoing partnership that will benefit students both academically and personally.

 "My Tech Math students will have the opportunity to find out what they really need in the workplace," John explained. "IBM mentors can share what is necessary for business success. The e-Mentor can offer helpful suggestions and comments, and coming from someone other than a parent or teacher, the advice may be more meaningful." Ruth Thompson agrees. "My Connections students will appreciate a third party - someone who can help with questions and decisions without making judgments."

The Wade Edwards Foundation and Learning Lab serve as liaison between BHS and IBM by offering the computer lab for correspondence and helping to coordinate activities. All 70 students involved in the program have been issued a free e-mail account and access to the WELL’s computer lab and other services.

WELL representatives had been looking for an opportunity to offer students and business people a chance to work together at the WELL's computer lab. Last summer, IBM executives Dave Benevides, Bob Wright, and Doug Miskew visited the WELL with Nicole and subsequently donated ten new computers to the lab. The conversation led to a discussion about the e-Mentoring program, for which the WELL is perfectly suited.

WELL director Steven Killion praised both IBM and BHS for taking a risk. "I admire your courage," he told the participants. "Forming a new relationship is risky, but it’s a great way to become successful." Sarah Lowder, director of the Wade Edwards Foundation, said this is a win-win situation for everyone. "IBM is such a good corporate citizen, taking the lead in education initiatives both nationally and locally, and we are fortunate to be the beneficiary of the company’s generosity."

Indeed, education is a priority for IBM. Barry Eveland, Senior State Executive for NC/Senior Location Executive and an e-Mentoring participant, says good students make good consumers, good employees, and good citizens. "It is in IBM's best interest as a local and national business to support programs for education such as Smart Start and e-Mentoring," Barry said. "We all benefit from a focus on improving the quality of our school systems." IBM software Manager Steve Ambrose concurs. "The e-Mentoring program gives us a chance to reach out and give back to the community." Steve's mentee, BHS junior Tyrone Sims, is already familiar with how important this connection will be. Enrolled in the BHS Cisco Academy, Tyrone is a hardware/technical support assistant at the WELL. "I'm looking forward to turning to someone for career questions as well as for technical advice - someone who can identify with my interest in computers."

Nicole Pride provides each mentor with a detailed packet of objectives, protocol, policies and procedures. "The purpose of the program," Nicole explained, "is to give the students exposure to the working world, offer tutoring assistance, and help both students and teachers with educational goals." Nicole is more than pleased with the dedication of her co-workers. The program is entirely voluntary, and the response has been overwhelming. Melissa Doggett was certainly pleased by the abundance of mentors. "We were able to include three classes - over 70 students, which will definitely add to the success of the program as a whole."

If the initial meeting was any indication, BHS, IBM, and the WELL will all experience success with the e-Mentoring project. The Fitness Center activities certainly energized everyone. The pizza was plentiful, one team was able to get their structure to float and hold 19 pennies, and each Broughton student now has a new electronic mentor to add to his or her support system.

-Katherine Messenger