Mentor a Low-Income High School Student in San Jose!

In-person | Saturdays during the school year | Bachelor's degree required.

Learn more and apply:

About Minds Matter

Minds Matter Bay Area (MMBay) is a nonprofit that supports high-achieving, low-income high school students on their path to college through academic instruction, mentorship, and a community of support.

About the Role

Each mentor, along with their co-mentor, is matched to two mentees. Together, you’ll guide your mentee through our three-year college-access program, building trust, exploring college and career goals, and developing life skills. Occasional 1-2 year mentor openings are available when backfilling a role.

Commitment & Requirements

• 3-year commitment (Aug-May each year)
• Weekly attendance on Saturdays (12:30-2:30 PM, Aug-May) - There are approximately 25 sessions throughout the school year. Mentors are expected to attend 80% of those sessions.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Reliable, proactive, and strong communication skills
• Ability to build trust with youth from diverse backgrounds
• Prior experience with youth or first-generation students is a plus, but not required

What We Value

At Minds Matter Bay Area, we believe in showing up, doing the hard work, and leading with heart. Our mentors exemplify these values:

• We show up

  Mentors commit to showing up on-time and focused.

• We do the hard work

  Mentors engage fully-during and between sessions-to help mentees stay on track, develop life skills, and achieve long-term goals.

• We believe and persist

  Mentors know that trust takes time. They invest in their mentees with patience, encouragement, and realistic optimism.

• We prioritize communication

  Mentors stay in touch with their mentees and the program team, proactively asking questions and offering updates.

• We practice emotional courage

  Mentors lead with honesty and vulnerability, creating safe, open spaces for real conversations.

• We are the culture

  Mentors are the heartbeat of the mentee experience, helping coordinate across co-mentors, instructors, and leadership to offer wraparound support.

Why Join

• Build a lasting, transformational relationship with your mentees
• Join a mission-driven, inclusive community of change makers
• Our volunteers often form lasting friendships and connect outside of sessions-from casual meetups to shared dinners
• Grow as a mentor, coach, and leader