“Guiding, supporting, and empowering the next generation of mechanical engineers.”

The Mechdrinas Mentorship Program is a cornerstone initiative by the Association of Females in Mechanical Engineering (AFIM) at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM).

Built to support our community of 83+ members, the program bridges the gap between academia and industry by pairing advanced-year mentors with incoming or lower-level students (“prepas”). We create a secure, data-driven environment focused on technical preparedness, leadership, and long-term retention in engineering.

Beyond peer support, Mechdrinas functions as a targeted professional readiness pipeline. Program events and pairings are strategically aligned with upcoming job fairs to give mentees a competitive edge:

• Targeted Mentorship Pairing: Each mentor (“Mechdrina”) is paired with a mentee (“prepa”) based on aligned academic goals and career interests.
• Specialized Skills Training: Participants engage in hands-on workshops, technical training, resume reviews, and rigorous interview preparation.
• Industry-Led Insights: Sessions feature guest speakers and industry professionals who bring direct hiring trends and workplace expectations straight to our members.

The program aims to create a strong and collaborative support network where participants can get:

• Professional Readiness: Equip members with the practical tools, communication skills, and confidence required by competitive employers
• Career Acceleration: Provide direct guidance on navigating internships, co-op opportunities, research positions, and corporate networking.
• Academic Retention: Increase departmental retention and ensure students step into career scenarios fully job-ready.
• Community & Leadership: Build a robust, collaborative support network that fosters leadership and professional responsibility among young industrialists.

Each mentorship relationship aims for participants to grow together, both academically and personally, promoting sisterhood and a sense of community within the department.

The Mechdrinas Mentorship Program has proven essential in increasing female enrollment, retention, and leadership confidence within the UPRM Mechanical Engineering Department. By combining peer guidance with corporate-aligned training, we ensure our members make a lasting impression on potential employers.

More than a program, it is a community of support and friendship that drives women to reach their full potential.