Program offers ways for college students to gain mentorship and volunteers to make a difference in their communities
The Rising Tide Network is here. The mentorship program and community network includes a six-month opportunity to grow your confidence, expand your connections, and be part of a community committed to equity and impact.
Are you a college student or recent graduate navigating next steps and looking for mentorship? Are you a professional ready to give back and make a difference? Does this opportunity align with your company’s volunteer, social responsibility, or talent goals? This is your moment to join a network built on lived experience, shared strength, and rising potential.
What is the Rising Tide Network?
It’s a structured mentorship experience pairing college students and recent grads from Making Waves’ college and career success program with professionals and alumni who have walked similar paths and can provide insights and connections.
- Through monthly one-on-one meetings, students gain social capital and real-world insight.
- Mentors provide guidance and encouragement to help students navigate college and career challenges and take their next big step.
- All participants are a part of the Making Waves community guided by core values to promote equity, drive impact, build community, learn and grow, and do hard things.
When is the Rising Tide Network launching?
The first pilot is set to run October 2025 – April 2026. Be a part of the first mentorship cohort!
Benefits for mentees
You bring your questions and curiosity. We bring the people who’ve been there and can lend insights. Apply if you want to:
- Set goals and reflect on your next steps
- Get honest advice from professionals who can support your college and career journey
- Learn how to approach resumes, internship and job interviews, and job searches
- Build social capital, make meaningful connections, and grow your network
- Attend optional community-building events in the Bay Area
“The relationships you build early on can sometimes matter more than your resume when landing that first job,” shared Jon Siapno (he/him), VP of impact and experience at Making Waves Education Foundation.
“With 35% of Wave-Makers expressing interest in making connections and growth their networks, it’s clear that investing in genuine connections is more important than ever – they’re the bridges to opportunities you can’t even see yet.”
Benefits for mentors
Your experience, knowledge, and insights can make a huge difference. Share your time and expertise with someone early in their career. Become a volunteer mentor if you want to:
- Support a student navigating the challenges of the education and employment journey
- Provide insights from your own college and career path and knowledge from your role and industry
- Offer feedback on resumes and internship and job interviews
- Build a relationship rooted in encouragement and trust
- Join a mission-driven community of professionals and alumni
“We launched the Rising Tide Network because we know that young people are seeking guidance, advice, and connection as they navigate their career and life journey,” shared Allison Holton (she/her), chief external affairs officer at Making Waves.
“We’re excited for professionals and Making Waves alumni to have an opportunity to give back in a very personal and tangible way. I’m hopeful that mentees will walk away with newfound insights, knowledge, and confidence to pursue their dreams,” she shared.
What does the timeline and commitment look like?
With support from Making Waves, you’ll build skills, confidence, and community together. Here is the schedule at a glance:
- Applications due: September 10, 2025
- Mentorship runs: October 2025 – April 2026
- Expect 6 meetings (30–45 minutes each), with guidance on topics and prompts and with flexibility to engage more from there
- Attend optional community events and complete three brief check-ins
“Relationships built through mentorship can be one of the most impactful ways to learn and grow for both mentors and mentees,” shared Kaitlyn Endo (she/her), senior manager of career coaching at Making Waves.
“Whether it’s gaining hiring insight from a seasoned professional, or a college student sharing their perspective of what they value in an employer, having someone in your corner, eager to offer support, feedback, and advice can provide both parties with huge advantages for both professional and personal growth. It’s not always about the quantity, but the quality of the connections when growing your network; this mentor program offers an opportunity to invest in your community and build quality relationships.”
Ready to rise, together?
This is your invitation to join a network where everyone lifts – and gets lifted. Are you ready to rise, together?
