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The Role

The Industry Fellow role combines mentorship, technical guidance, and professional engagement. This page outlines what we look for in Fellows and what Fellows receive in return.

Fellow Profile​

Technical Expertise
  • Minimum 5 years of professional software development experience
  • Strong background in modern development practices and technologies
  • Experience with software architecture, design patterns, and best practices
  • Familiarity with collaborative development tools and methodologies
  • Knowledge of current industry trends and emerging technologies
Leadership and Communication
  • Demonstrated ability to guide and mentor junior developers
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders
  • Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly
  • Patience and enthusiasm for teaching and knowledge sharing
Commitment and Availability
  • Genuine interest in student development and education
  • Ability to commit to multi-semester partnerships
  • Flexibility to attend regular in-person events on campus
  • Responsiveness to student needs and program requirements
  • Alignment with program values and educational mission

What Fellows Provide​

Industry Fellows commit to meaningful engagement through both in-person and online mentorship activities:

  • Attend a minimum of two evening events per semester on SLU campus
  • Participate in orientation and mentorship training
  • Maintain regular online engagement with matched student teams through check-ins, code reviews, and technical guidance
  • Contribute to program development through peer learning sessions and feedback processes

What Fellows Receive​

University Affiliation and Benefits
  • University ID cards
  • Professional @slu.edu email address
  • Library access to research databases and collections
  • Co-working space privileges on campus
Professional Development and Recognition
  • Mentorship training that supports leadership and communication skills
  • Networking opportunities with industry professionals and university faculty
  • Recognition through program certificates, LinkedIn designations, and university-endorsed reference letters
  • Personal fulfillment from impacting student success
  • Exposure to student projects and academic research
  • Continued connections with program graduates
Talent Pipeline Insights
  • Direct exposure to emerging software development talent before they enter the job market
  • Firsthand view of how students approach real-world problems, collaborate, and grow
  • Relationships with graduates who enter the workforce with proven open source experience
  • Early awareness of the skills, tools, and practices the next generation of developers brings

Ready to apply? See Application Process for how it works, Key Dates for the current timeline, or go directly to Apply.