eMentoring for Students
If you are a student member who needs the advice of an experienced industry professional to help guide you through college and on to your first job, the eMentoring program is for you.
About eMentoring
eMentoring is accessible to SPE members only and requires an email address. If you do not have an email address, you can request that SPE supply you with a free email account. Note that SPE adheres to US sanction requirements.
By mainly using electronic communication, you have easy access to mentors around the world. Once you join the program, you will be assigned a mentor based on criteria you select. You are also welcome, if both parties agree, to meet with your mentor by phone or in person.
Each mentoring experience is unique to your own individual needs. You can ask about curriculum choices, interviewing techniques, career options, and more. A mentor can help you find the right training, introduce you to a nontraditional career path, or help you to transition more easily into the working world.
Meet the mentors
Within our program, we have mentors with experience in drilling, construction, finance, formation evaluation, seismic interpretation, safety, law, reservoirs, and much more who work for companies like Aker Oilfield Services, Baker Hughes, BJ Services, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, Halliburton, PEMEX, Petrobras, PETRONAS, Saudi Aramco, Schlumberger, Shell, Technip, Total, Weatherford, among many others.
This is a global program with mentors living in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, UAE, the UK, the US, and more.
We ask our mentors to make a 1-year commitment to the program. Each mentor can work with up to three individuals if they choose. It is very important for you to input your preferences for a mentor so you can be assigned the best match.
Join the program
eMentoring is accessible to SPE members only and requires an email address. If you do not have an email address, you can request that SPE supply a free email account for you. Note that SPE adheres to US sanction requirements.
You'll be able to search by area of expertise, gender, company type, and/or country to find available mentors, and then submit your top three choices. SPE is usually able to match you with one of your top three choices. If not, you will be notified. You will also need to provide information about yourself, including why you are looking for a mentor.
The matching process
Mentees initiate the matching process by searching for mentors. This search criteria is based on a mentor’s area of expertise, type of company he or she works for, gender, and country of residence.
This narrowed list of mentors will then provide the potential mentors’ company name, job title, years of industry experience, state/province of residence, and short biography. eMentees submit their top three choices for a mentor.
Once SPE has confirmed active membership, the matching process is usually completed in 2-3 weeks.
Once a match is made, SPE emails the name, email address, and country of residence for your mentor or mentee. Sharing any additional background information or exchanging information by phone or in person is your decision.
Your mentoring relationship lasts for 1 year. SPE will contact you at the end of your relationship to inquire if you would like to continue in the program. You may request a new mentor or mentee at any time.
Begin your eMentoring relationship
As soon as you have been matched with a mentor, SPE will send you the contact information for your mentor. While we have asked that your mentor initiate the communication, please feel free to send the first email.
Your first communication should be introductory, discussing your background and career and educational aspirations. You might also outline your expectations for your mentoring relationship. What is it you want to learn from your mentor?
Conversation might seem awkward at first, but as you get to know each other more, communication will become easier. If it helps and is possible, schedule a phone call or a face-to-face meeting with your mentor. While this program encourages electronic communication, it puts no limits on the relationship.
Your role as a mentee
Once matched with a mentor, you have committed to a 1-year relationship. If you choose to dissolve the relationship at anytime within the year, be courteous and inform both your mentor and the SPE eMentoring Program Coordinator. SPE will match your mentor with another mentee.
We recommend that you communicate with your mentor at least every other week. Make a plan with your mentor for a consistent schedule of when and how to communicate.
Please keep in mind that your mentor is volunteering to assist you. Conversations should always remain respectful.
Initiate discussions with your mentor and give some guidance on areas where you need advice and assistance. Frequent communication will help you both benefit from the mentoring experience.
Here are some ideas of topics you can discuss with your mentor:
- Career path and advancement
- Nontraditional careers
- Choosing a specialization
- Working through challenges with managers
- Curriculum choices
- Interviewing techniques
- Training opportunities
Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions, but please be respectful if your mentor declines to answer.
Questions or concerns
If at any time you have any questions or concerns regarding the program, contact ementor@spe.org immediately.
The SPE eMentoring Program follows the Guidelines for Online Communities.
