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title: CodePath Mobile Course - Mentor Role

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# CodePath Mobile Course - Mentor Role

### Overview

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CodePath students will be spending 6 weeks building out their own mobile app ideas, and they need you as a mentor to help guide them through the process! Mentors should be industry professionals who have experience building out an iOS or Android app. The commitment will be about 2 hours per week for each group you're mentoring, and you can choose how many groups you want to mentor. Students start working on their group projects on 10/31, and conclude by presenting their final project to the class on 12/19. 
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[CodePath](https://codepath.org/about) is a nonprofit organization working on increasing diversity in tech by transforming college C.S. education for underrepresented minorities and underserved populations.

Each year, CodePath hosts a 12-week remote course to teach college students the basics of building mobile applications. During the first 6 weeks, students attend weekly classes led by senior engineers from the tech industry. After attending lectures, students apply what they learned towards their weekly assignments. Throughout the 6 weeks, students will have built 3 separate fully functioning apps. To get a better idea of what students learn during these 6 weeks, check out the full syllabus:
- [iOS](https://courses.codepath.org/snippets/ios_university/syllabus)
- [Android](https://courses.codepath.org/snippets/android_university/syllabus)

At the end the first 6 weeks, students then have the option to form groups and build out their own app ideas. This second part of course spans 6 weeks and shows the students how to take an idea and turn it into a real app. This is where you come in! As professionals working in the tech industry, you will be able to help guide students towards making their app ideas come true and help them understand what it's like working as a software engineer to launch a product.

### Benefits of Mentoring
- Over 90% of CodePath students come from underrepresented backgrounds and have not been exposed to what it's like to work in tech. For many of them, this is their first time interacting with people who work in the tech industry. As their mentor, you have opportunity to shape their first impression of what it's like to work in tech and help provide the confidence boost they need as they're starting out their journey. 
- In previous CodePath course, students have pointed out that being able to connect with mentors is their favorite part of the course!
- As the students work on building out their apps, you'll be able to offer feedback and insight to really help shape the direction of their final product. 

### Expections from Mentors

As a mentor, you will be the go-to person for your group. Your responsibilities will include:
- Checking in with your group once a week during the 6 week period
    - Check-ins will typically be 30 minutes and can be scheduled based on your availability. 
    - Since this is a remote class, all check-ins can be done virtually as well.
- Making sure your group is on track to hit their weekly milestones and providing guidance on how to accomplish the milestones. The milestones for each week include:
    - Week 1 (class on 10/31): Group finalizes app idea
    - Week 2 (class on 11/7): Group creates Github repo for collaboration and rough mocks for app
    - Week 3 (class on 11/14): Schema and API designs 
    - Week 4 (class on 11/21): Sprint 1
    - Week 5 (Thanksgiving no class): Sprint 2
    - Week 6 (class on 12/5): Final app polishes + pitch deck creation
    - Demo Day on (Sat. 12/19) - We encourage all mentors to join our demo day but it is optional
- Helping provide feedback on the direction of the group's app, both in terms of product direction and technical direction.

The typical time commitment is about 2 hours every week per group you're mentoring. Mentors have the flexibility of specifying how many groups they want to mentor based on their availability. Students start working on their projects 10/31. On 12/19, each group has the option to prsesent their final app to the class and a panel of judges.

### Mentor's Qualifications

- Have worked in the tech industry for at least 1 year
- Have experience working on a team to contribute to an iOS or Android app
    - You're comfortable answering basic questions from students around your platform of choice
- Understand the general process of product development
    - Working in Github as a team
    - User stories
    - Wireframing / App Design Mocks
    - API / Schema design

### Further Questions
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out to alice.yuan@codepath.org or caren@codepath.org

### Fill out application!
**If you're interested in helping out, fill out the application here: []()**

### Training Sessions
We will also be holding 2 separate training sessions over Zoom to talk about this in more detail, answer any questions you may have, and give you a chance to meet other mentors. **Mentors are required to attend one of these training sessions.**

Training Session 1: Saturday, 10/24, 1-2PM (Pacific time)
Training Session 2: Wednesday, 10/28, 6-7PM (Pacific time)