Through the Mentor Match program, alumni (mentors) can provide guidance and support to students (mentees) by interacting with them, exchanging ideas, and sharing their experiences and knowledge of career paths.
Mentors may be contacted by current students to serve as a one-time resource for topics such as exploring majors, resume reviews and interview questions or to provide long-term career and professional advice/activities. Mentors serve as role models and leaders as they help students reach their career goals.
For additional information email Jennifer Rhoades, jlrhoades@usi.edu.
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It was good to be reminded of what it was like to be that 20 year old graduate and that career progression isn't linear. It's not exactly like I'd forgotten what my own career pathing looked like, but it was nice to reflect back on it and the ups and downs and it was fun to think about how different their opinions of me might have been vs the different jobs I had in my career. Analyst -> Manager of Analytics -> Sr. Manager -> Director -> unemployed/laid-off -> VP. It was good for perspective. 2) I felt like it was useful, for me at least, to evaluate the perspective of AI from the position of a soon-to-be college grad. It's impactful, but if you frame it right, there's an optimism there. One of the things I've seen is that companies aren't necessarily not hiring because of AI (at least the ones I work with) but they are changing who they hire (in favor of those with AI skills).
I recently joined USI’s Mentor Match program because I wanted to be a resource for students in a way I did not have as an undergraduate. The program makes it easy to connect with students and share real world career insight through conversations, resume feedback, or ongoing mentorship. My first experience was incredibly rewarding as I connected with a student nearing graduation and provided guidance on his resume and job search strategy. That conversation led to real opportunities within my own organization, showing how impactful even a single connection can be. I would strongly encourage fellow alumni to get involved, as it is a simple way to give back and make a lasting impact on a student’s career journey.
I wanted to meet new people and have someone to turn to in case I wasn't sure what to do. Through Mentor Match, I improved my communication skills and learned more about the options I have for my career path.
I signed up for Mentor Match my senior year because I wanted to speak with people who had experience and could help me navigate the job market. I got to ask questions about navigating job applications as a senior/recent graduate, hear tips on career growth and gain LinkedIn & networking advice. A connection with a Mentor lasts even after the semester's "mentorship." Growth doesn't just stop after graduation.