Simpkins Family COMPASS Program

Coaching and Mentoring for Professional and Student Success (COMPASS) will help you chart a course for your undergraduate years. Our goal is to help you thrive personally and professionally. Three sections of COMPASS (ENGRG 1152) are being offered in Spring 2025. COMPASS is an initiative of the Selander Center for Engineering Leadership.
seven students hold a rope as part of a group activity
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Three components of the COMPASS experience

  1. ENGRG 1152: Coaching and Mentoring for Professional and Student Success

    The foundation of COMPASS is a two-credit course, which may count as a faculty advisor-approved elective. In it, you’ll learn critical thinking and decision-making tools so you can be intentional about which opportunities to seek and which to forego, based on your goals, values, and competing commitments. You’ll also get guidance on the professional skills of networking, time management, and communication.

  2. Alumni Mentors

    Regular meetings with one of our Cornell Engineering alumni mentors give an experienced engineer’s perspective on the teamwork and leadership skills you should focus on now.

  3. Peer Mentors

    Peer mentors help you practice professional skills as well as offer insight into the challenges and benefits of Cornell Engineering life.

     

Is COMPASS Right For You?

COMPASS is for engineering students early in their undergraduate career who want to be intentional about their personal and professional development.

The program is for those who:

  • Want to expand their personal and professional network
  • Want to invest in teamwork and leadership skills development
  • Often sacrifice their physical and mental well-being just to keep up
  • Have trouble choosing among clubs, classes, and other activities that all sound interesting

Does that sound like you? If so, COMPASS may be a good fit.

COMPASS is not about finding a job or internship. Instead, we help you see the bigger picture by connecting you with your core values, sense of purpose, and aspirations. Then we’ll give you the tools to design your undergraduate years to achieve your goals.

If you want to learn more about the program, email COMPASS Program Manager Dan Toronto at dkt33@cornell.edu.

Perspectives on the COMPASS Experience

Former undergraduate Ali Taha shares why joining COMPASS was one of the best decisions he made as a student.
Dan Simpkins shares what he gets out of mentoring Cornell Engineering students through COMPASS.

Ready to get started?

To join COMPASS, register for ENGRG 1152: Coaching and Mentoring for Professional and Student Success. No permissions are required. For more information, contact COMPASS Program Manager Dan Toronto at dkt33@cornell.edu.