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Become an Industry Mentor
Industry Mentors are matched one-on-one with a student for a 12-month commitment. Mentors meet with their student for one hour per month to share career paths, lessons learned, and encouragement as students explore life after college or graduate school.
Barrier Breakers exists to close the access and earnings gap for first-generation and low incone students through higher education and consistent guidance into their early career. While academic advising opens doors, consistent relationships help students stay, persist, and thrive.
Volunteers play a critical role in that journey.
Whether you’re a professional looking to mentor the next generation or someone who wants to support students through regular check-ins, volunteering with Barrier Breakers is a meaningful way to walk alongside students as they navigate college and beyond.
What our Students Say
“I didn’t grow up around any lawyers. I’m a first-generation professional student. I knew having someone who would help me along that journey would be extremely helpful and Sydney did just that.”
Hear more from Aisha, one of our clients who is currently attending Notre Dame Law School!
Career exposure. Professional insight. Encouragement.
Commitment
1 hour per month
12-month commitment
One student per mentor
What mentors do
Share professional experiences and industry insights
Encourage students as they navigate decisions and challenges
Help students reflect on goals and opportunities
What mentors are not
Therapists or counselors
Academic or admissions advisors
Financial or legal advisors
Support & Training
Barrier Breakers is committed to ensuring that volunteers are supported and never asked to navigate challenging situations alone.
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All volunteers receive:
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A structured orientation
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Clear role expectations and boundaries
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Guidance on when and how to escalate concerns
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Ongoing staff support
Volunteers are not expected to solve crises — our staff team handles escalation and resource coordination.
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Questions? Email hello@barrier-breakers.org
​Why Volunteer With Barrier Breakers®?
Make a tangible impact in a student’s educational journey
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Build meaningful relationships across generations
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Share knowledge, encouragement, and perspective
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Join a community committed to educational equity and access
Many volunteers later choose to deepen their involvement through advocacy, referrals, or philanthropic support — but volunteering always stands on its own.
All mentors are supported by Barrier Breakers staff and guided by clear program expectations.
Mentorship at Barrier Breakers® is part of our broader commitment to long-term student success — from high school through college and beyond.
Ready to Get Involved?
If you’re interested in volunteering with Barrier Breakers, we’d love to learn more about you. If now is not a good time to volunteer, we welcome you to stay involved, join our newsletter, and consider making a donation to support a student!
After submitting the form, our team will review your form and follow up with the next steps, including background screening and orientation. Any questions? Email hello@barrier-breakers.org.
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