COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS ALUMNI SOCIETY MENTORING PROGRAM

Suggestions for pairs

Relationship Development:

• Agree to a schedule to meet, whether by phone, e-mail or in person -- At least once a month to talk about resolution of previous opportunities and issues, as well as new ones
• Meet more frequently as required/desired
• Meet in person at least once a semester
• Mentor to tell student when he/she is going to be on campus
• Student to tell mentor when he/she is going to be in mentor's home area
• Have lunch or breakfast when both in same area

Intellectual & Professional Development:

• Mentor relates practical experiences: anecdotes on professional experience, including techniques, realistic expectations, "political" situations
• Emphasize personal accountability
• Emphasize preference for cooperative/team approach to work
• Provide shadowing experience for a day or two

• Conduct mock interviews
• Resume review & suggestions for improvement
• Cover letter review as they are sent out to employers with suggestions on how to strengthen the letter
• Role play telephone skills in anticipation of phone interviews
• Observe client meetings
• Observe staff meetings
• Observe internal strategy meetings
• Observe business meal

• Portfolio, clipping, tape critique & review
• Assist student in developing a career plan
• Attend a relevant conference together
• Investigate volunteer opportunities to gain professional experience
• Keep each other alerted to networking events in their industry
• Exchange, review and discuss examples of excellent work in the field, whether it's a book, magazine article or case study
• Exchange articles via e-mail about key developments in the industry
• Alert each other to new web sites for finding jobs
• Critique past examples of work