What is the Mentor Connection?
Mentor Connection is a partnership between a UCA young alumnus and a current student, enabling relationships that provide a learning experience for students and a leadership opportunity for the alumni. Mentor Connection provides a personal development relationship for everyone involved.
Mentor Connection benefits not only the mentor and mentee, but also provides a unique employee development and recruiting opportunity for organizations that employ the mentors.
Benefits for Mentor:
Mentors are selected on the basis that they possess the skills and knowledge to be mastered by a mentee. The Mentor exemplifies the ideal model expected of the mentee.
- The satisfaction of helping in the development of another person who may carry on his or her own work
- Ideas for feedback about his or her own projects from a junior person who is eager to learn and commit to the project’s success
- A network of former students who can collaborate on projects, increasing the mentor’s stature and visibility
- Becoming part of an expanded network of colleagues
- A letter of recognition sent to the Mentor’s employer highlighting his or her leadership and volunteerism
Benefits for Mentee:
Mentees have the opportunity of exposure to the workplace that can’t be received within the classroom. The mentee will be challenged and motivated by the model set by the Mentor.
- Individual recognition and encouragement
- Honest criticism and informal feedback
- Advice on how to balance education, career, and extracurricular activities
- Skills for showcasing one’s own work and setting professional priorities
- An understanding of how to build a circle of friends and contacts both within and outside one’s institutionA perspective on long-term career planning
Requirements & Expectations:
Mentors:
- Must be a UCA alumnus
- Must have approval by their manager and/or employer
- Must have at least one year of experience in the specific field they wish to mentor
- Communicate with your mentee at least once every two weeks
- Must be willing to commit to Mentor Connection for the specified period of time
- Attend the Kick-off event
Students:
- Must be a full-time or part-time student in good standing
- Must have completed at least 9 hours in the specific field they wish to pursue a degree
- Must complete a mentee application
- Communicate with your mentor at least once every two weeks
- Must be willing to commit to Mentor Connection for the specified period of time
- Attend the Kick-off event
Click on the Mentor Connection Handbook to learn more about the Mentor Connection Program.
Important Dates:
Dates will be posted August 2013
The Mentor Connection is a 7 week program
Mentor (Alumni) Enrollment Deadline – TBA
Mentee (Student) Enrollment Deadline – TBA
Mentor Connection Kick-off – TBA
Mentor Connection Closing Reception – TBA
How to Apply:
To Become a MENTOR fill out the online application by 4:30 p.m., TBA
To Become a MENTEE download a Mentee Application 2013 or pick one up at the Student Center Info desk. Deadline 4:30 p.m., TBA
All participants will be contacted by TBA