Join our Mentorship Movement
Our global community of mentors sets us apart from the rest and sets our students up for success. If you find fulfillment in guiding others towards a creative and connected career, we’re ready when you are.
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The Power of Professional Mentorship
Imagine knowing what you do now when you were starting out. In an industry as dynamic as design, your real insights and experience can help clear the path forward for others. And with so many Designlab graduates returning to become mentors themselves, your work as a Designlab mentor could be the catalyst for countless opportunities.
Create value from what you already know – and on your schedule. Get paid to share your expertise through feedback on assignments and weekly video calls.
Network with talented designers from top organizations on our mentor Discord server and at exclusive events.
Earn income while giving back
Create value from what you already know – and on your schedule. Get paid to share your expertise through feedback on assignments and weekly video calls.
Collaborate and connect
In addition to vetting mentors’ backgrounds and portfolios, we also have prospective mentors complete an exercise testing their ability to communicate and give useful, actionable, feedback.
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"I've had the privilege of mentoring some incredibly talented students. One of my most memorable moments was when one secured their first major client even before making their final submission – a testament to both their dedication and the quality of education at Designlab. I am incredibly proud of their achievements."
“Connecting with students and actually seeing that my work is positively impacting their careers and life is very rewarding. Also, getting messages of gratitude from students, or hearing that they were able to get a job or accepted into UX Academy is an awesome feeling.”
"There comes a moment where you reflect and want to give back to the design community who helped raise you. Mentoring at Designlab allows me a fantastic opportunity to work with a range of design professionals at the start of their career."
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“I feel fulfilled to watch my mentees and others achieve their goals and objectives through Designlab and it's mentors. I've also met a lot of bright minds through this platform, and learnt a lot from them as well.”
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"There comes a moment where you reflect and want to give back to the design community who helped raise you. Mentoring at Designlab allows me a fantastic opportunity to work with a range of design professionals at the start of their career."
"I've had the privilege of mentoring some incredibly talented students. One of my most memorable moments was when one secured their first major client even before making their final submission – a testament to both their dedication and the quality of education at Designlab. I am incredibly proud of their achievements."
“I feel fulfilled to watch my mentees and others achieve their goals and objectives through Designlab and it's mentors. I've also met a lot of bright minds through this platform, and learnt a lot from them as well.”
Our Students, Alumni, and Mentors Work at Top Companies Around the World
Frequently Asked Questions
A Designlab mentor, or career coach, fosters a positive and constructive learning environment, provides guidance, and offers actionable feedback. We value effective communication, commitment, and a willingness to invest time in your student’s growth and success. You’ll be playing a crucial role in inspiring and empowering your students to achieve their goals.
Being a Designlab mentor involves championing our curriculum alongside your student, sharing your knowledge and experiences to guide and support your student and providing accountability for their progress. To do this you’ll be meeting in face-to-face video calls with each of your students for 1 hour each week. During these calls, you’ll be guiding their design decisions while they move through the course curriculum, and sharing insights from your lived professional experience. Outside of the calls, you’re expected to spend about 10-15 minutes per student per week on written feedback.
Designlab mentorship is available to design professionals who’ve worked in a professional UX/UI design role for at least 3 years. This period of time does not include freelance roles. If you’re a Designlab alumni, then you’re welcome to apply after 2 years of professional experience. If you’re applying to be a Career Coach, we’re looking for 2 years of hiring manager experience and the ability to provide industry guidance and an insider's perspective of the hiring market.
We’re proud to say that we accept less than 10% of our mentor applicants. As well as professional experience, we also look for mentors that are patient, empathetic, have strong listening and communication skills, are encouraging, constructive, can provide accountability and acknowledge and celebrate differences.
In your application we’ll ask you to showcase your professional experience, skills and portfolio. If your application is selected, we’ll meet you on a video interview where you’ll take part in a mock mentorship scenario. Our team will then conduct a final review to evaluate the scenario, and we’ll get back to you with our final decision.
Mentoring at Designlab is a rewarding experience in more than one way. It not only provides a means to earn an honorarium while giving back, but also hands-on personal growth and development of your soft skills, and fulfillment through contributing towards the success of others. Our mentor community network has mentors from more than 50 different countries, and there is open opportunity to work with us for publishing and event collaborations.
How To Apply
fill out the application
Tell us about your professional experience and mentoring preferences. A link to your portfolio is required. (10-15 minutes)
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Complete The Assessment
If your application is successful, we’ll send you our mentoring agreement to sign, and you'll go through onboarding, where you’ll learn how everything works.
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Start Mentoring
Once you’ve completed our onboarding, you’ll be assigned your first student.
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Mentors are the Designlab difference
Join hundreds of top designers from around the world and share your expertise to help students achieve their full potential.
