Infosys has a rigorous mentor selection process to ensure that students are paired with mentors that can provide high-quality guidance and support for their capstone projects. The goal of the capstone project is for students to complete a substantial software development project from initiation to deployment that demonstrates their technical and professional skills learned throughout their program. Having knowledgeable and experienced mentors is key to students’ success.
The mentor selection process begins well in advance of each new capstone term. Infosys maintains a database of potential mentors culled from senior software engineers and architects within the company who have expressed interest in mentoring. To be considered, individuals must have a minimum of 8-10 years of industry experience and a proven track record of technical leadership on comparable projects. Additional criteria include strong communication and guidance skills, as well as a passion for developing the next generation of technology talent.
A committee comprised of senior program managers and academic staff review the pool of potential mentors using detailed profiles that outline their technical qualifications, background, strengths, and preferences for types of projects. The committee works to ensure a diversity of technical backgrounds and experiences are represented amongst the pool of mentors. Individual mentors may also provide feedback on the number of students they feel they can support effectively to ensure quality guidance.
Once capstone project topics are finalized in collaboration with Infosys partners and industry advisors, the matching process between mentors and student teams begins. Detailed profiles are compiled for each project outlining its scope, technologies involved, skills required, and desired outcomes. Committee members strategically match mentors to projects based on technical alignment between the mentor’s expertise and the project requirements. They also consider mentor location preferences and bandwidth to take on additional students remotely.
The committee then reviews the initial matches and solicits input from the mentors. Mentors are provided the student team member profiles and asked to flag any potential compatibility issues. Some considerations may include prior working relationships, personality fit, communication preferences, and learning styles. The committee makes adjustments as needed to balance technical and soft skills alignment.
Once a final match is made, the mentor and students engage in an onboarding session facilitated by committee members. This allows for introductions, setting of expectations, discussion of roles and responsibilities, and establishment of a communication plan. It is a chance for any further refinements to be made to ensure a strong foundation for the working relationship.
Throughout the capstone term, the committee conducts periodic check-ins with mentors and students to monitor progress and address any issues that arise. Successful projects are more likely when mentor and student needs are continuously supported. At the conclusion, feedback is gathered from all participants to evaluate the mentor and continuously improve the matching process. Mentors who receive high marks are prioritized for future capstone opportunities.
Overall, Infosys undertakes a methodical, multi-step process to thoughtfully pair qualified mentors with capstone student teams. Care is taken to consider technical skills, learning and communication styles, and soft skills alignment. The goal is to strategically match mentors who have the ideal experience and abilities to guide their teams to successful outcomes. Regular communication further ensures strong working relationships and optimal mentor support throughout each capstone project term. This comprehensive, feedback-driven approach helps maximize the impact of mentors on students’ overall capstone experience and development.
Andrew Stroud