The Makers + Mentors Network (MMN), a STEM initiative of Citizen Schools, is partnering with community colleges, nonprofits, school districts, and minority serving institutions to run the Maker Fellows program. This position is located in Pittsburgh, PA and is hosted by BNY Mellon Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center.

This Maker Fellow position will specifically support the Mentors in the Making (MitM) program, a 1:1 mentoring program that has been running since 2017. The program is open to economically disadvantaged Pittsburgh-area youth, ages 13–18, who lack a clear path to post-secondary educational opportunities. MitM has a career focus, allowing students to work alongside mentors who work in the tech, healthcare, and manufacturing industries of Pittsburgh. Together, through maker-centered learning, they tackle complex projects using experimentation, problem-solving, and collaboration.

The Maker Fellow VISTA will prioritize partnership outreach strategies to build program capacity. They will research and develop recruitment tools and processes to increase awareness and participation. The Maker Fellow will also prioritize communication with teachers, mentors, students, and families regarding schedules, program information, deadlines, and training. The Science Center will provide digital fabrication machines and materials as well as infrastructure for facilities and organizational structures that will allow the Maker Fellow to support the program. The Maker Fellow will join a cohort of 26 AmeriCorps VISTA members placed at leading organizations across the country and participate in a year-long structured and collaborative learning pathway.

Benefits include a living stipend of $13,362.44/year, a $400/month housing stipend, a Segal Education Award of $6,195 upon successful completion or end of year cash stipend of $1,800, healthcare coverage, and child care subsidy. Please visit makersandmentors.org/makerfellows to learn more about this unique opportunity.