Alumni mentoring have gained popularity over the years because it offers immense benefits. Both the mentors and the students reap the advantages of such programs. Students get the opportunities to visit and talk to the professionals who were formerly students in their shoes. Under the guidance of their mentors, students get the chance to share their career related issues, ask questions, learn about the latest trends, observe the workplace, and much more.
On the other hand, alumni mentors offer career guidance, advice on significant courses and field work, encouragement in academic program, and opportunities to make professional contacts. In addition, students build stronger connections to the institution through interaction with alumni.
Today, majority of students are trying their career in vocational course wherein networking is an important factor in addition to having experience. Here, mentoring offers both of these important opportunities, and many other benefits.
Both students and the alumni members are equally benefited. Mentoring programs offer alumni an opportunity to re-connect with their Alma mater. Being a mentor, universities allow them to get involved in activities, which promote and serve the university. In addition, these programs also provide prospects to those alumni incapable of making substantial financial contributions to give something other than donation to their Alma mater. Not only this, these programs give alumni the opportunity to recruit promising talent to their place of employment.
While the main aim of these programs is to promote development and fundraising activities, it also helps mentors, alumni and the students to build link and increase networking. Without strong alumni relations, the prospect pool of the universities will be significantly reduced. As such, Alumni have the potential to be your most generous and loyal supporters.
Roles and Responsibilities of Alumni Mentorship
Besides offering multiple benefits, Alumni mentorship programs have certain roles and responsibilities which are as follows:
- Scheduling the mentoring sessions wherein the mentees spend time in preparation.
- Allocate time and space in a way that the mentoring session don’t get interrupted.
- Prepare for the session.
- Paying complete attention to the mentee. Listen to them and focusing on their issues. Clear your mind and concentrate on helping the students during the session.
- Keeping the communication and interaction clear. Focus fully on the mentee. Show signs of active verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Share resources with the mentees. Think and collect any resources that might be useful to them.
- Share your experiences. Also, don’t hesitate to share your mistakes and failures and even lessons learned.
- Discuss with the mentees their career goals and coach them on how to attain their goals.
- Sponsor to offer guidance.
- Help increase the mentee’s exposure to innovative experiences.
- Offer a safe and comfortable environment to the mentees in which they can make mistakes without losing credibility.
- Try to boost the self esteem of the mentees through supportive, non-judgmental discussions.
- Be a role model for the mentees to walk the talk and exhibit the behaviors necessary for success.