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Apply to be Matched with an Alumni Mentor
About the Program
Student protégés gain insights into career paths and build their professional networks while mentors experience the satisfaction of guiding the next generation of Penn Staters. This program requires the time commitment of one academic year, however pairs are welcome to continue the relationship beyond the academic year. The Mentoring Program was established in 2009 by Smeal’s Alumni Relations Office and the Smeal Alumni Society Board.
How Students Can Apply
Please read the FAQs about the program and then apply. Your application responses will assist us in the pairing process. Please have the following items ready to upload at the end of the application. Your application will not be considered complete until you upload the following documents:
Your current resume. Do not worry if your resume is not perfect - your mentor will be able to help you make improvements! For resume writing tips, please visit the Smeal Business Career Center website.
A brief statement telling us why you'd like to participate in the Mentoring Program. Please include the following elements when writing your statement:
What are your career goals? If you are unsure, just let us know what your interests are now. If you've had an internship or other professional experience that you have enjoyed or not enjoyed, this is helpful information.
Provide 2-3 specific objectives for your mentoring relationship. These objectives can be ways you'd like a mentor to help you, advice you'd like to receive, or goals you'd like to achieve with their assistance.
Find a Mentor
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is for the following Smeal students:
Undergraduate students in their second, third, or fourth year.
Undergraduate students who are in the Division of Undergraduate studies tracking for Smeal.
Undergraduate students who are at a Commonwealth Campus tracking for Smeal.
Graduate students who are in a One-Year Residential Master's Program.
If a student will be studying abroad or doing a co-op, they are still eligible to apply to the program, however, they should indicate this at the end of their application and alert their mentor of the unique situation when chatting for the first time.
The Mentoring Program provides students with an invaluable complement to their academic coursework and extra-curricular activities. Students apply to the program to learn about building their network, to identify academic and career plans, or to refine certain skills. A mentor can act as a sounding board for decisions and milestones they might experience during their college career. The purpose of the program is not to gain an internship or job. That may be an outcome, but it should not be the main reason a student participates.
Students will be matched with a mentor who is an alum of Smeal. The mentors range from recent graduates to those with many years of working experience and come from various academic programs with experiences and careers in a wide range of industries. Alumni decide to be mentors because they want to give back by sharing their expertise with current students. Mentors serve as role models to the student protégés by providing advice and guidance and sharing personal experiences. Mentors are approachable and willing to give constructive feedback to students, in an effort to help identify goals, develop strategies, and instill confidence.
Some areas where a mentor can be of assistance:
guidance in selecting a major (for undergraduate students)
understanding career paths
discussing a professional area or a specific industry
refining leadership skills
building a professional network, resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn support
interview preparation, negotiating job offers, transition to the workplace, workplace experiences, and considering an advanced degree
The matches are made by the Smeal Alumni Relations Office, based on answers provided in the mentor and student applications. Similarities in a mentor's career expertise and a student's industry interests are the top criteria taken into consideration. Also considered are similarities with each person's academic program, how long since a mentor graduated/student's class year, location, and hobbies. Unfortunately, not all criteria can be matched perfectly, so we ask students to keep an open mind when working with their alumni mentor.
The formal program lasts through one academic year (late August - early May). Each pair determines the time commitment based on their goals for the year. It is important that pairs engage in consistent communication and have mutual expectations for the frequency of interaction (about once a month is recommended). If they choose to, pairs can continue their relationship beyond the school year, outside of the formal program.
Some alumni are able to travel to campus, however, it is not a requirement to participate in the program. The majority of conversations will take place by phone or virtually (email, Zoom, FaceTime, etc.). Technology allows for very successful mentoring relationships to take place!
A Program Guide, which includes some discussion topic ideas.
An email template that can be used to reach out to the mentor for the first time.
Periodic (about monthly) email reminders are sent and typically include a reference to a relevant topic in the Program Guide
Two Mentoring Program Lunches are coordinated throughout the school year if applicable, which offers an optional opportunity for the pair to meet in person.
Last year, there were about 375 pairs participating in the Mentoring Program. We anticipate that the program will continue to serve additional students and involve more alumni over time.