Mentor Program
What is the Mentor Program?
The purpose of the EVE University Mentor Program is to help new players in EVE to understand the game better and more rapidly, by teaming them with more experienced players who can provide practical advice and coaching. EVE University Mentors help their assigned novices to:
- Better understand the fundamentals of EVE
- Find the right resources, from both E-UNI and other places, where appropriate
- Learn how to have more fun in playing EVE
Mentors are volunteers, who want to give back to EVE University by helping new players get off to a good start in EVE. They are experienced players who have been selected based on their qualifications and ability. Mentors assist their assigned charges through EVE mail exchanges, online chats, Mumble discussions, or in-game exercises where appropriate.
Mentors are assigned procedurally to applicants based on:
- Compatible times of play, to make it easier to connect in the game
- Similar areas of interest and experience in the game for the mentee and Mentor, respectively
- Availability of Mentors relative to the number of applicants
Once begun, mentorships last for a period of three months, unless extended by mutual agreement of both the Mentor and their mentee.
This program is administered by the current Mentor Manager, Haxxi, and by his Mentor Program Assistants: Polarina.
How do I request a Mentor?
First, check if you are qualified to apply for a Mentor. This program is reserved for:
- EVE University members in good standing. You must be a full member of the UNI when you apply for a Mentor. Please note that if you drop from the UNI later for wartime or other purposes, you may continue to interact with your mentor while you are out of corp, if you mutually decide to do so, for the term of the mentorship period.
- Players with less than four (4) months total experience in EVE. This includes aggregate experience with alternate characters, or prior characters that have been discontinued.
- Characters with less than six million (6,000,000) skill points.
- Exceptions can be made for former EVE players who dropped out and recently rejoined after a year or more of inactivity, and who want help in reorienting themselves in the game.
If you meet these qualifications, please follow this link and fill out the web form. The Mentor Program staff will review your application and put you in touch with a suitable Mentor, usually within a week.
If you have any questions, please send an EVE mail to the Mentor Manager or one of the able Mentor Program Assistants. You can also find UNI Mentors hanging out in the Chat.E-UNI channel on our Mumble server - in particular, Seamus Donohue (a.k.a., "Encyclopedia Donohue", known for his broad knowledge of EVE) and other UNI Mentors dispense their expertise and answer questions there, on an informal basis.
I want to help! How do I become a Mentor?
First, check these qualifications for becoming a Mentor:
- E-UNI Graduate title earned - or comparable demonstrated prior experience in EVE and in the UNI, to be evaluated by the Mentor Program staff on a case-by-case basis
- Willingness to help - a genuine desire to coach and assist new players in EVE University - you may be assigned to up to four mentorship relationships, though we can adjust this maximum depending on your ability
- Availability: able to devote a few hours per week on mentoring others
- Current UNI membership - rare exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis for some former UNIs, but will require more detailed review of your background
- An understanding of the essential mechanics and fundamentals of EVE - you don't have to be an absolute expert, but we do expect Mentors to know about the basics of skill training, ship fitting, missioning, trading, mining, hauling, exploration, fleet operations, accessing UNI resources, and complying with UNI policies, as well as how to use essential EVE tools such as EveMon and EFT.
To apply to be a Mentor, please follow this link and fill out the web form. You should receive a response within a week.
Why would I want to be a Mentor?
Becoming an official UNI Mentor includes several benefits and advantages, including:
- Receiving the official UNI "Mentor" title
- Access to the UNI education staff chat room in-game
- Access to the UNI Mentor discussion forum
- The opportunity to interact closely with and learn from other experienced EVE players
- The satisfaction from helping new EVE players to overcome the game's steep learning curve
- The opportunity to give back something highly valued and appreciated by the EVE University community
- Most importantly, working with other EVE players who are eager to learn from your experience is FUN!