Alumni Mentor Program takes off
Since its inception in 2007, the Eberly College of Science’s Alumni Mentor Program has been helping students build professional relationships that enhance their career prospects by opening the door to internships, research opportunities, study abroad experiences, and even recruitment by their mentors’ companies and institutions
“Competition for the best jobs is fierce and often occurs at a global scale,” said Dawn Ebbs, the program’s coordinator. “Students must develop skills that set them apart and foster inside connections more than ever before to be successful.”
Last year, Ebbs successfully paired 98 students in the college with alumni mentors, nearly double the number paired the previous year. These alumnistudent pairings continue on a rolling basis.
“Mentors share their professional expertise, values, and skills with our students,” she said. “They help students make the connections that are necessary to navigate the inside track.”
Specifically, mentors provide students assistance with résumé building, networking, and career planning and also offer academic advice and emotional support. In return, mentors are provided opportunities to influence the next generation of scientists and medical professionals and to draw closer ties to the University community they cherish. Once in a while, they even find themselves in a position to recruit top-performing employees to their organizations.
To participate in the college’s mentoring program, both mentors and mentees must agree to attend a dinner and workshop, communicate regularly by phone or email, ask questions and listen, discuss issues and current events in the field, offer and take advantage of opportunities to network, and visit workplaces when feasible.
“The mentoring program helps mentors and mentees alike by forging meaningful and mutually benefi cial relationships that can last a lifetime,” Ebbs said. “Our goal is for every student in the college to participate in the mentoring program.”
For more information on becoming a mentor or mentee, contact science.alumni@psu.edu.
