Mentorship at Barrier Breakers®
Guidance that lasts beyond acceptance.
At Barrier Breakers®, mentorship is not a one-off program or a short-term match. It is a core part of how we support students — alongside admissions advising and continued support during college — as they grow into confident, capable professionals.
Our mentors help students navigate academic decisions, career exploration, identity, and transitions, especially at moments when first-generation students often feel most alone.
What Mentorship Looks Like
Barrier Breakers mentors provide consistent, relationship-based support, tailored to each student’s goals and stage of life. Mentors meet with students for 1 hour per month for 12 months.
Mentorship may include:
Career exploration and professional guidance
Navigating college life as a first-generation student
Support during key transitions (starting college, internships, graduation)
Building confidence, self-advocacy, and professional identity
Exposure to career paths and industries students may not otherwise access
Mentorship is designed to complement — not replace — academic advising and wellness support.
Who Our Mentors Are
Our mentors are professionals across a range of industries, including law, healthcare, business, STEM, public service, and sustainability. Many are first-generation graduates themselves and understand the challenges our students face firsthand.
Mentors may engage as:
Individual mentors to current students
Industry mentors connected to specific career pathways
Corporate partners supporting internship and early-career exposure
All mentors are supported by Barrier Breakers staff and clear program expectations.
Who Mentorship Is For
Mentorship supports students at multiple stages, including:
High school students exploring future careers
College students navigating academic and professional decisions
Recent graduates preparing for next steps
Mentorship is available to students regardless of whether they are in a paid or pro bono advising program.
“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!
Why Mentorship Matters
First-generation students are more likely to leave college not because of academic ability, but because of isolation, uncertainty, and lack of guidance.
Mentorship helps close that gap by ensuring students:
Have someone to turn to
Feel seen and supported
Understand the unwritten rules of higher education and careers
This is how we move students not just into college — but through college and into careers.
Become a Mentor
If you are interested in supporting first-generation students through mentorship, we invite you to get involved.
Mentorship at Barrier Breakers® is part of our broader commitment to long-term student success — from high school through college and beyond.