CEHD Mentor Program: Overview

The CEHD Mentor Program gives alumni and friends of the college the opportunity to share career experiences and knowledge with CEHD students. Through this mentoring relationship students gain an inside perspective on their chosen careers, on how various organizations work, how professionals balance life and career, and how to better prepare for the working world.

The program is available for juniors and seniors in the areas of business and marketing education (sales and marketing focus); family social science; human resource development; kinesiology; recreation, park, and leisure studies; and sport management. Mentors are alumni or friends of the college who are working professionals in the above-mentioned fields.

Students and their mentors are asked to meet 2-4 hours each month (November-April). The program begins with an initial meeting at the mentor orientation dinner where students meet their mentors, and ends with a formal program in April. Other optional professional and social activities are available throughout the program.

The goals of the CEHD Mentor Program are to:

• Provide experienced and knowledgeable role models for undergraduate students seeking careers in the above-mentioned fields.
• Provide informal advice and counsel for students seeking to clarify their career directions.
• Provide coaching on the skills and attitudes which will improve students’ success in their chosen career.
• Increase understanding of the breadth and depth of the field.
• Help students connect with professional associations or explore other career development opportunities.

Timeline

Applications will be reviewed and matches selected in October. The first meeting between mentors and students will be at the mentor orientation dinner. The orientation dinner will facilitate the mentors and students getting acquainted. We hope this meeting will help to get the relationship off to a good start. The mentoring activity occurs during fall and spring semesters concluding in April. During the course of the program, mentors and students will also receive information about events and activities especially appropriate for mentor participants.

Mentor eligibility

In order to be eligible for the 2007-2008 CEHD Mentor Program, you must:

• Be an alumni or friend of the College of Education and Human Development who is a working professional in the areas of business and marketing education (sales and marketing focus); family social science; human resource development; kinesiology; recreation, park, and leisure studies; or sport management.
• Have the ability to maintain contact with your student at least 2-4 hours per month throughout the program (November – April).
• If possible, be able to attend the mentor orientation dinner to meet your student or attend a separate facilitated meeting.

Expectations

• Maintain regular contact with your student via phone, e-mail, and/or meetings. The expectation is 2-4 hours per month from November through April.
• Return your student’s calls and e-mails promptly.
• Complete a brief evaluation form at the end of the program.
• Contact the college alumni relations office and your student immediately if circumstances require you to stop participating in the program.
• Notify college alumni relations office if your student is not fulfilling his or her responsibilities.

Suggested activities

• General career advice
• Resume review
• Job shadow at mentor’s workplace
• Informational interviews with others in the field
• Networking opportunities and advice
• Mock (practice) interview
• Tour of mentor’s place of employment, if appropriate
• Opportunity to attend a professional association meeting or activity with the mentor
• Note: There is no expectation that internships or employment opportunities will result from this mentoring relationship

Every effort will be made to match volunteer mentors with students. However, we can not guarantee a match in every situation. Mentors are matched based on student’s and mentor’s preferences. All matches will be made by mid-October. If a mentor is not matched initially, they may remain in the mentor pool for a future mentoring opportunity.

How to apply to the program