ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan will participate this fall in MentorNet, an innovative electronic mentoring service for women pursuing careers in engineering and the sciences. The nonprofit program, founded in spring 1998, is believed to be the first of its kind offered nationwide.

MentorNet uses cyberspace to link students and mentors, who communicate by e-mail. “There is compelling evidence that mentoring can make a big difference in a student’s success in college as well as after graduation,” said Carol Muller, MentorNet founder and executive director. “Because MentorNet uses e-mail and other electronic technologies, it can link many more students and mentors than traditional mentoring programs relying on face-to-face meetings.”

In addition to easing the mentoring process, MentorNet helps level the playing field between women and men planning for careers in engineering and other sciences, Muller said. Although women account for 46 percent of the U.S. work force, they are seriously underrepresented in many scientific areas, particularly engineering.

“Women account for less than 10 percent of the nation’s engineers,” Muller noted. “MentorNet links students with professionals who can help them overcome gender-related obstacles women face while in college and later in the work force.”

During this past school year, MentorNet linked 539 female engineering and science majors from 26 U.S. universities with volunteer mentors working in private industry. The number of students served is expected to grow to several thousand over the next few years.

MentorNet, a partnership effort involving universities, corporations and professional societies, is headquartered at San Jose State University. AT&T, Intel, IBM, Ford Motor Company, and the U.S. Department of Education provide major project funding.

Potential mentors should visit MentorNet’s Web site, www.mentornet.net.

AT&Twww.mentornet.net