Am I eligible to join?
Applications are open to any Malaysian resident who is:
• Currently in secondary school (between Form 4-5)
• Recent secondary school graduates
• First-year college students
What is mentorship? How can it help me?
A mentor is an experienced person who is also your trusted adviser.
Mentorships allow you to receive advice and guidance from someone else. They share their experiences and mistakes with you so that you can learn from them. There are many topics that you can discuss with your mentor such as college choices, career choices, out-of-school interests, etc.
How much does it cost to participate in the program?
It costs absolutely nothing. Bondfire was founded to pay it forward in the Malaysian community and we want to make sure that it is accessible to everyone and anyone whom we can help.
Does my application guarantee me a spot in the program?
Most of the time – we review every application and want to give everyone the opportunity to be matched to a mentor. However, we want to make sure we are able to find a mentor who can appropriately meet your needs and if we are not able to do so, we will communicate your options directly with you.
How long is the program?
We are accepting applications for the 2023 program which will span 4 months. While the official program will only last for that duration, you are welcome to remain in contact with your mentor, and the program organizers to ask questions or for feedback in the future!
How will I be matched with a mentor?
We do our best to match mentees up with mentors who can best help them achieve their goals and bring out the best in them. Mentors will be assigned based on a variety of criteria and on the information provided in the application form. Some of the matching criteria are as follows:
• Educational Track
• General Interests
• Extra-Curricular Activities
• Current Plans for the Future
• Reasons for Mentorship
What are the program focuses?
The 3 program focuses were created to help students think about what’s most important to them now. College, Career, and Personal Development are all essential parts of the mentorship program, and choosing a focus does not mean that you cannot discuss the others with your mentor.
What can I talk to my mentor about?
You are free to discuss anythig with your mentor. A few examples of topics are:
• University Choices/Campus Life
• Scholarships/Financial Aid
• STEM/Major or Degree Choices
• Studying Abroad
• Networking/Socializing
• Internships
• Resume Review/Career Advice
• Anything & Everything else!
How will I communicate with my mentor?
Our mentors and mentees are not only from all over Malaysia but from other parts of the world as well. That is why Bondfire is a virtual program where you will communicate with your mentor online or via mobile means.
What happens when the program ends?
When the program ends, it just means that you are officially done with your term. However, it doesn’t mean that you can no longer ask more questions, get more feedback, or attend more events.
When your program is over, you will still be a part of the Bondfire Community and you are always welcome to keep in touch with your mentor, other mentors, and the program organizers. Events will always be open to you as well!
Why is the program virtual, and how will safety be prioritized?
Many reasons! One is that virtual collaboration is becoming a norm in the workplace, and it calls for new challenges and working styles. Exposure to this medium will allow students to grow as these technologies continue to grow.
Another reason is that our mentors are all around the world, which gives you a chance to hear each of their unique journeys, regardless of where they are in the world.
We understand that digital safety and privacy are a concern for many, and let it be noted that our mentors and founders share this same concern. Here are just a few ways we will mitigate this concern:
- We verify the identity and agenda of each mentee and mentor before accepting them into the program.
- Mentees and mentors are encouraged to keep a journal of their 1-on-1 discussions for reflection at the end of the program.
- There are standard procedures in place for both mentees and mentors to express their concerns during the program to the organizing team so that swift action can be taken, if necessary.
- The founders’ contacts and personal information are easily accessible to all parents, mentees, and mentors at all times.
- Parents are always welcome to join any of the online sessions if they feel necessary. At the same time, we want to make sure that mentees answer their own questions, form their own opinions, and learn on their own time.
How can I become a mentor?
We love that you’re interested in becoming a mentor! You can get more information about mentoring and submit an interest form here.