Mentorship for industrial engineers at UW–Madison
ISyE Connections pairs Industrial & Systems Engineering students with alumni, industry professionals, and fellow students based on their interests.
Four ways to take part
Student mentor
Serve as a peer-advisor and resource for other students in ISyE.
Student mentee
Connect with an experienced student in the industrial engineering program to get advice.
Alumni or professional mentor
Serve as a peer-advisor for upperclassmen ISyE students or younger alumni.
Alumni or professional mentee
Get guidance, an additional perspective, or a great conversation with an experienced ISyE alum.
How it works
Fill out the form
Five minutes. Tell us who you are and which areas you'd like to talk about.
We pair you
The board matches mentors and mentees throughout the semester based on shared interests.
You get an email
Your pairing notification includes your match's name, email address, and the interests they picked.
You meet
ISyE Connections facilitates one 30-minute virtual or in-person meeting up to the pair's discretion. The pair can decide if they'd like to meet past that. Mentors will reach out first.
Signups are open for Fall 2026
Join us to connect, grow, and give back to UW–Madison’s Industrial Engineering community.
Sign up for Fall 2026Frequently asked questions
Who can join ISyE Connections?
Current UW–Madison students (ISyE or not), ISyE alumni, and industry professionals connected to the program.
Do I need to have declared Industrial Engineering to sign up?
No, but you should be considering ISyE.
How does matching work?
We match on the interests and topics you select in the form, plus seniority rules (mentees are paired with someone further along than they are). A board member reviews every proposed match before it's finalized.
How long does signup take?
About five minutes.
How will I know I've been matched?
Mentors will get an email with your mentee's name, email address, and the interests you both selected. Mentees will be reached out to by their assigned mentor.
How many times do we meet?
We facilitate one 30-minute meeting (virtual or in-person). Whether you meet again after that is up to you.
Can I choose who I'm matched with?
Not directly, but your stated interests and preferences (e.g. wanting an alumni vs. student mentor) steer who you're paired with.
What if I'm not matched right away?
You stay in the pool and are reconsidered in the next matching cycle rather than being dropped.
When do signups open?
At the start of each semester.
What if I don't hear from my mentor?
If you haven't heard back in two weeks, reach out to connections@ie.wisc.edu.
Any other concerns not listed?
Reach out to connections@ie.wisc.edu.