Mentor with OSS
Mentorship Opportunities
Experienced software developers can share a wealth of experience with the next generation of programmers through Open Source with SLU's mentorship initiatives. Beyond the personal satisfaction of giving back and paying it forward, mentorship provides valuable insights into emerging talent and young professionals, creating opportunities for recruitment and referral bonuses within your organization. Whether you're looking for informal collaboration or a structured partnership, we offer pathways for experienced professionals to guide student developers while contributing to meaningful open source projects.
Join Our Development Community
The easiest way to get involved is to join our active Slack community and participating in the development of our software projects. Our current capstone projects offer particularly rich opportunities for mentorship, as student teams work on software development initiatives that mirror real-world industry practices. By contributing code reviews, technical guidance, and project insights, you can directly impact student learning while helping deliver valuable tools for researchers and community organizations. Simply join our Slack workspace, introduce yourself, and connect with project teams that align with your expertise and interests.
Industry Fellows Program
Our formal Industry Fellows program creates structured mentorship partnerships between experienced professionals and student development teams. Industry Fellows receive university affiliations including a university ID, email access, library privileges, and co-working space access on campus. Fellows also receive specialized training on how to make mentoring relationships more successful, ensuring both mentors and students get the most value from their collaboration. In exchange, Fellows commit to attending at least two in-person evening mentoring events on campus each semester and actively participating in online discussions with a capstone software development team. This program provides a deeper, ongoing relationship that benefits both mentors and students through sustained collaboration, professional networking, and the satisfaction of contributing to the next generation of software developers. Application is required for the Industry Fellows program, and we select participants based on their technical expertise, commitment to mentorship, and alignment with our project needs.
Apply to Become an Industry Fellow
Ready to make a meaningful impact on the next generation of software developers? Applications for our Industry Fellows program are now open. Applications must be submitted by August 4th, 2025. Selected participants will be notified by August 11th, followed by a two-week onboarding process to prepare you for success in your mentoring role. The first in-person mentoring event will take place on August 25th, marking the beginning of an enriching semester of collaboration with student development teams. Don't miss this opportunity to combine professional development, community engagement, and talent pipeline building while contributing to innovative open-source projects that support research and community needs. Apply today
Ready to shape the future of software development while building meaningful professional connections? Whether you're looking to join our growing development community through Slack or commit to our structured Industry Fellows program, your expertise can make a real difference in student careers while contributing to impactful open source projects. The next generation of developers is waiting to learn from your experience—and you might just discover your next great hire or collaboration partner along the way.