Overview
The vision of the Alumni Mentorship Program is to provide an opportunity for students to be matched with an industry professional who will assist students as they develop the skills and perspectives necessary to succeed in their careers as well as providing a direct link between the classroom and professional world.
The Alumni Mentorship Program matches senior undergrad and graduate students with an industry professional who serves as a role model while providing guidance and direction to students. Working with an experienced professional can provide added meaning to the classroom experience and as well as enhancing business and career development. A mentor can help students develop perspective and insights while making career plans and choices. Mentors will have the opportunity to reflect on their business/profession through the questions and perspectives of today’s students as well as enjoying the opportunity to give back by working with the next generation of young professionals.
The Alumni Mentorship Program is not a placement program. The intent is not to open doors to specific job opportunities. Rather, it allows students to develop close relationships with prominent individuals who can share some keys to success while providing advice on what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. The mentors work with students in an informal setting to share their thinking and experience.
The goals of the program for students are:
- To establish a collaborative, personal relationship.
- To acquire insight and understanding about a particular career or profession.
- To build a network and enhance career success.
- To become aware of the latest business practices and theories.
The goals of the program for mentors are:
- To create an opportunity to share experiences and impact future leaders.
- To develop personal mentoring and organizational skills.
The program is built on the following principles:
- It is voluntary based on personal commitment.
- Mentors and students are matched on career goals, profession and industry.
- The partnership is sustained by both mentor and student.
- Expectations and benefits are clear to all participants.
The basic qualifications for participation in the program are:
- Defined goals and objectives.
- Commitment to make the collaboration work.
- Willingness to share and allocate time to meet or chat on a regular basis.
- Discipline to listen, understand and reflect.
Requirements for Mentors
Our goal is to build a database of alumni mentors although we would happily accept applications from other professionals referred by alums or other members in the community who would like to volunteer their time and knowledge. Prospective mentors are expected to:
- Have at least two years experience in the professional world.
- Commit to the time and communication requirement as mutually agreed upon between mentor and student (communication can take the form of in-person meetings, phone calls, or email exchanges). At a minimum, there should be one in-person meeting once a semester and monthly phone or email exchanges.
- Attend the group events for the program which include a kick-off breakfast in October and a finale dinner in late April preceding the Alumni Card Exchange.
- Complete survey and feedback forms at various intervals throughout the year.
- Complete a Profile (for matching purposes) of their educational, personal and business background, and reasons for wanting to be a mentor.
- Be a good listener and communicator.
Requirements for Mentees
The student must be enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program within Dodge College and must:
- Be at senior standing or completing their last year in a graduate program.
- Have a 3.0 GPA in the major
- Commit to the time and communication requirement as mutually agreed upon between mentor and student (communication can take the form of in-person meetings, phone calls, or email exchanges). At a minimum, there should be one in-person meeting once a semester and monthly phone or email exchanges.
- Attend the group events for the program which include a kick-off breakfast in October and a finale dinner in late April preceding the Alumni Card Exchange.
- Complete survey and feedback forms at various intervals throughout the year.
- Complete all application materials by the designated deadlines.
The Matching Process
A selection committee comprised of Dodge College representatives, faculty, and alumni will review both student applications and mentor profiles. The “matching” process will be based on career goals/interests of student and the professional experience of mentor.
Dodge College will notify all applicants of the matching results. Students are responsible for making the first contact with their assigned mentor and setting up the initial meeting. In some cases, based on the criteria above and/or a lack of suitable matches, a prospective mentor or mentee may not be matched. Files on prospective mentors or mentees not matched will be reviewed for a match during the next program cycle.
DOWNLOAD THE INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP PROFILE FORM
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