St. Cloud State University

Mentoring Program

Email the Alumni Relations Office if you would like us to alert you when 2008-2009 Mentoring Program registration is available.

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in the SCSU Alumni Mentoring Program. Many, if not all, of us at some point in our lives will need a mentor to help guide us. The Alumni Mentoring Program connects SCSU alumni with current students to facilitate the exchange of career advice and to promote professional networking. The SCSU Alumni Association is pleased to provide this opportunity for your personal and professional growth. Below is information on the program for both students and alumni, along with links to program registration forms.

Program Purpose

The purpose of the SCSU Alumni Mentoring program is twofold. It is meant to provide students with opportunities to benefit from the experiences of SCSU alumni and to give alumni an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to current students and the university.

What is Mentoring?

It is the building of a mutually beneficial, interactive relationship between an alumni mentor and a student mentee, leading to greater success in life and a stronger connection to SCSU for both participants.

Benefits of Participation

Benefits for the Mentee:

Benefits for the Mentor:

Receive career information and advice

Job search strategies and advice

Networking opportunities

Informational interviews

Establish relationship that facilitates better career decision-making and career network development

Making the transition from school to work

Opportunity for professional development

Receive advice on selection of relevant courses

Connection to the history and tradition of the university

Opportunity to share experiences and wisdom with current students

Meaningful way to give back to students and the university

Access to a pool of potential future employees

The satisfaction of nurturing the potential of a talented, committed future leader

Reacquaint with college, department and program offerings

A fresh personal connection to the university

Participation Requirements

Mentee:

Mentor:

Need to be in their junior or senior year

Admission to major program is preferred

An idea of your desired career field would be beneficial

Attendance at a kickoff event which will provide an opportunity to meet your mentor in person and learn more about the program

Attendance at a wrap-up event with the mentor

A willingness to share time, knowledge and experiences from your perspectives both as a student and as an alumnus/a

Attendance at kickoff and wrap-up events with the student mentee

Ability to communicate with student mentee at a business telephone number or through e-mail

The Process

The first step is to register as either a mentor or a mentee. Once all registrations have been received, alumni mentors will be matched with student mentees. Registrants will be notified whether or not they were able to be matched with a mentorship partner and if so, the contact information for their partner will be shared. They will also receive information to register for the Mentorship kickoff event. From that point, until the wrap-up event is held in late April, it is up to the mentor and mentee to coordinate their schedules to participate in additional face-to-face activities. There will be opportunities to attend various campus events, but pairs are encouraged to also include the mentor's workplace as a potential location for meetings. E-mail messages and other correspondence will also be sent to participants during this time, notifying them of events of interest.

Suggested Activities

Sample Discussion Topics

Networking

Interviewing and Resumes

Leaders in the field

Industry articles

Graduate School

Professional Organizations

Face-to-face contact is the most beneficial, but it wouldn't be realistic to expect that all interaction take place in person. Telephone and e-mail correspondence are also good ways to supplement your interaction, but should not serve as a complete substitute to personal interaction.

Workplace visits and job shadowing
Attend events hosted by Career Services
Attend business or service club luncheons
Exchange of resumes
Attend campus social events and cultural nights
Attend athletic events

Expectations

The biggest expectation for participants is that they be open to learning from one another, sharing experiences with each other, and that they make every effort to attend the required program events and meet in person at other times.

Costs

There are no fees to participate in the program. Meals will be provided for all alumni and student participants at Alumni Mentoring activities.

Do's and Don'ts
Your time is valuable and we don't want to waste it. The following tips will help ensure that participants get the most out of the program and enter the program for the right reasons.
Do:	Don't:
Be committed to seeing the program through to the end. Make an honest assessment of your available time to commit to meeting with your mentor or mentees at times in addition to the kickoff and wrap-up events. Notify the Alumni Office of any problems that you encounter, especially if they affect your ability to continue in the program Provide evaluation and feedback at any time during the program.	Enter the program with the intent of using it as a mechanism to obtain a job or internship Enter the program unless you are sure you can commit yourself fully to participating in a meaningful way.

Mentoring Activities

Please mark the following dates on your calendar.

April 24, 2008
Alumni Mentoring Program spring activity
6:30 - 8 p.m. program and dinner
Atwood Memorial Center, SCSU

How do I get involved?

If you have questions or need more information, contact:

Marisa Adler Vette
Interim Director of Alumni Relations
St. Cloud State University
(320) 308-4242
1-866-464-8759
mavette@stcloudstate.edu

If you are interested in participating in the 2007-2008 academic year Mentoring Program, please register by clicking one of the links below:
Alumni Registration	Student Registration

The Alumni Mentoring Program is maintained and supported by:

SCSU Alumni Association
Alumni Relations and Foundation Office
Career Services

Questions or concerns please contact mavette@stcloudstate.edu