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Liberty Mentorship Program

Program Overview

William Charlton Engineering LLC offers a mentorship program focused on leadership development, software and electrical engineering, and making solutions for life on planet Earth and beyond. Mentees will engage in project-based learning, including hands-on prototyping and solution development.

The Liberty Mentorship Program is a six-month, hands-on mentorship experience focused on guiding young men in technology, leadership, and innovation. This program empowers mentees to imagine, design, and build projects that align with their interests while receiving guidance from an experienced mentor.

Rather than focusing solely on tools and programming languages, this mentorship encourages big-picture thinking—starting with what's possible, then narrowing it down to what’s feasible within the program's timeframe.

Technology Focus Areas

Mentees will explore and work within one or more of the following broad fields:

  • Software Development
  • Microcontrollers & Embedded Linux
  • Cloud & On-Premise Computing
  • Blockchains & Smart Contracts
  • Static Websites & Web Applications
  • 3D Modeling & Printing
  • Wireless Communications & IoT
  • Mechatronics & Electronics
  • Product Prototyping
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

If there's something not in this list that you'd like to include, no matter how far fetched it might seem at first, please bring it up. Anything is possible.

Preparing for the First Meeting

Before the first mentorship session, mentees should take some time to explore and gather their thoughts. The goal is to come in with a broad sense of interest and curiosity so we can refine ideas together. To get started, mentees should:

  • Review the 14 Leadership Traits and 11 Leadership Principles of the U.S. Marine Corps to understand the leadership foundation of the program.
  • Spend at least 30 minutes reading Hackaday, a site filled with innovative projects and engineering solutions.
  • Browse through Adafruit and SparkFun to see what kind of electronics and prototyping components are available.
  • Make a list of personal interests—whether technical or non-technical—that could help shape your project idea.
  • Bring any ideas you already have, no matter how vague or ambitious.
  • Come in with the mindset that you will be leading your project, but your mentor will be there to provide guidance and support along the way.

Reference Materials

Expanding Your Imagination: What’s Possible?

The Liberty Mentorship Program isn’t just about learning technology—it’s about pushing the limits of what you think is possible, taking ownership of your vision, and leading yourself and others to a solution. Whether your project is small-scale or something truly ambitious, the goal is to think big first, then narrow it down to what’s achievable.

To inspire your ideas, take some time before the first meeting to explore projects from engineers, hobbyists, and pioneers in various fields. Here are some places to start:

1. Space & High-Tech Innovation

2. Hardware & Electronics

3. Software, AI & Infrastructure

4. Futuristic & Wild Ideas

Choosing a Project

By the second meeting, each mentee must declare a chosen project or technology focus based on discussions, exploration, and personal interests. There is no predefined list of projects—mentees are encouraged to imagine what’s possible first, then work with the mentor to refine it into something achievable.

Mentees may choose to work individually or in a team, but all collaborations must be voluntary. If a mentee knows someone who might be a good collaborator, they are encouraged to invite them to apply. However, the mentor has final say on team formations based on project complexity and mentee compatibility.

Project Scope & Expectations

  • Projects should be manageable within six months unless special exceptions are granted.
  • Mentees are expected to attend bi-weekly meetings, work on their project independently, and seek guidance when needed.
  • AI-assisted development tools are welcome, but mentees must still demonstrate understanding and problem-solving skills beyond just using AI-generated solutions.

Failure: The Most Powerful Teacher

In the Liberty Mentorship Program, failure is not just tolerated—it is embraced. As the Stoic philosopher Seneca said, "Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body." Every mistake, miscalculation, or unexpected result is a lesson that brings you closer to mastery. True innovation is built on persistence, adaptation, and learning from failure. You are here to experiment, struggle, and grow—not to play it safe.

  • "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." – Marcus Aurelius
    (Obstacles and failures are not roadblocks; they are the path to mastery.)

  • "Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body." – Seneca
    (Struggles and failures make us stronger, just as physical exercise strengthens the body.)

  • "If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable." – Seneca
    (Without direction, even success is meaningless. Failures clarify our path.)

  • "Show me a man who was never put to the test, and I will show you a man who never learned." – Seneca
    (The untested life is a life without growth.)

  • "You must expect great battles. Know that it is no easy task which you have taken upon yourself." – Epictetus
    (Big goals come with big challenges, and failure is part of that process.)

  • "Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." – Henry Ford
    (Each failure teaches us something new, making us better than before.)

  • "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." – Thomas Edison
    (Success is built on repeated trial and error—failure is part of the process.)

  • "Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out." – Benjamin Franklin
    (Fear of failure holds you back more than failure itself.)

  • "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston Churchill
    (Both failure and success are temporary states; perseverance is what matters.)

  • "The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win." – Kobe Bryant
    (Failure only defines you if you stop trying.)

Next Steps

Before proceeding to the design phase, please take 15-30 minutes to read and complete the following list of onboarding materials and acknowledgements:

Preparation

  1. Explore different technology areas and brainstorm possible project ideas.
  2. Attend the first mentorship sessions to discuss ideas with the mentor.
  3. By the second meeting, declare a project or focus area to work on.
  4. Begin designing, prototyping, and building your project!