Research Mentorships
Purpose
The BE Together Research Mentorship Program provides sophomores with valuable hands-on experience beyond the classroom. Participants work and are mentored in a faculty-led research laboratory with their student research team.
Who can apply?
Upcoming Sophomores
During Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 semesters, students need to attend both semesters and be enrolled in 200-level College of Engineering courses in at least one of those semesters. The application is open March 1–30.
WHAT ARE THE WORK REQUIREMENTS AND COMPENSATION?
This program is a paid, on-campus research position within the College of Engineering. Participants earn $14 per hour and work 5 hours per week during the Fall and Winter semesters, to complete 150 hours of work. If all hours are not completed after the two semesters, students may, with permission from their faculty mentor, continue to work through spring and summer terms to complete the hours.
As part of the Research Mentorship Program, you will attend two workshops and complete three short report surveys.
How do I get paid?
Students are hired by one of their department secretaries and can download the Workday app to clock in and out and track their hours worked for each pay period. For more information regarding Workday, please refer to workday.byu.edu.
What is the Orientation Dinner?
The orientation dinner is an opportunity to eat free delicious food; meet and get to know the Research Mentorship staff, your faculty mentor, and other students in the program; learn how to be hired; receive guidance about how to have a successful mentorship; and ask any questions. This dinner happens at the beginning of fall semester.
When are reports due?
There are three short, mandatory reports: one in September, December, and April. Each report link will be emailed to you with its deadline. These reports provide you with the opportunity to reflect on what you have learned or are learning, ask any questions, and give us feedback.
How many workshops do I attend?
There are two one-hour workshops you will attend: Recognize and Reduce Unconscious Bias and Creating Collaborative Environments. These workshops teach you best practices for working effectively in diverse teams and environments and improving your communication skills. They count as training, so you will clock in and out when attending each one. These workshops are also part of the Weidman Center Leadership Workshop series. See the schedule here.
When does the Research Mentorship end?
Students will be terminated when they have worked all 150 hours, whether in the Fall or Winter semesters. Students, with permission from their faculty mentor, may continue working during Spring or Summer terms to complete hours.
Any students remaining in the program at the end of summer term will be terminated even if all hours are not completed.
Who do I contact with questions?
For questions regarding your time card and pay, see your department secretary. For questions regarding your work in the lab, see your mentoring professor or lab supervisor. For any other questions regarding the Research Mentorship program, email be.together@byu.edu.
Arianna Kee
"My favorite part of the mentorship is the field work,” Arianna explained. “I really like flying the drones and just being outside. I have made so many good friends through this mentorship and it just makes research so much fun,”
To future Research Mentees, Arianna urges, "Jump into projects immediately. When I started, I always felt so unqualified. It took me a little bit to learn that I should not be limiting my options to only what I know. Instead, I need to branch out and learn new things because that’s kind of what the research mentorship is about."