Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES)

Mentors

Mentor applications for PIPES 2025 programming are now open and will close on the Māhealani moon of Kaulua (14 February 2025).

Mentors are an essential part of the PIPES programs’ success. It is through their commitment and excellent mentorship that our interns find the inspiration and guidance needed to continue their academic and career aspirations. Mahalo to all of our past and present mentors!

What is expected as a Mentor

  • Commit to mentoring a full-time intern for the duration of the internship, including developing a mentoring relationship that fosters routine check-ins, project guidance, teamwork in trouble-shooting and feedback for intern improvement
  • Create a safe space for the intern to learn
  • Identify a project within the scope of the intern's interests
  • Assist with and participate in the intern's project
  • Incorporate the intern into your organization's overall activities and treat them as part of the team
  • Facilitate interns participation in PIPES activities and provide input for interns to submit PIPES assignments in a timely manner
  • Provide necessary support for the intern's project (transportation when applicable, equipment, work space, literature/background information related to project, etc.)
  • Attend PIPES Mentor Orientation (on Zoom or in-person, ~1hr)
  • Attend Intern Mentor Hoʻolauna Session during Intern Orientation (in-person if possible)
  • Host PIPES staff for a Site Visit during weeks 5, 6 or 7 of internship
  • Attend the intern's presentation during the PIPES Student Symposium at the end of internship

What is expected of Interns

  • Fully engage in PIPES programming and internship work and project duties
  • Represent PIPES and the internship organization through the summer and behave accordingly
  • Write a Personal Internship Development Plan which outlines personal, academic, and project goals and objectives for the summer
  • Attend and participate fully in the mandatory 4-day Orientation, including meeting with their mentor(s) during the Intern Mentor Hoʻolauna Session
  • Report to internship work site on time and through the end of the work day
  • Keep frequent and clear communication between mentor(s), intern, and PIPES staff when applicable
  • Submit regular Progress Reports to PIPES staff when they are due
  • Participate in Māhuahua meetings, Huakaʻi, HCC (off-island travel), and Reflection Camp
  • Present the summer project and experiences to a live audience in the Student Symposium at the end of programming

If you have any questions, please contact us at uhintern@hawaii.edu or (808) 932-7984.