Interested in Becoming a Mentor or Mentee?
The final date to submit an application has passed. For those who have already submitted an application, please anticipate receiving notice of your match on or around December 5, 2025
What Drives Our Mentorship Program
Mission Statement
The Alumni Mentorship Program at the Illinois Institute of Technology seeks to empower and inspire current generations of students by connecting them with experienced alumni, fostering academic success, professional development, and personal growth.
Goals
- Guide students through academic/professional decisions and transitions
- Enhance professional development and networking skills
- Form meaningful connections within the Illinois Tech community
Overview
- Personalized Mentorship Connections:
- Students will be matched to a compatible Alumni Mentor based on shared factors, such as major/field of study, career/industry interests, and personal background (e.g., gender identity, domestic vs. international status)
- Based on the information collected from the survey, mentors and mentees will be matched using evidence-based techniques in mentorship and professional development to ensure alignment in values, goals, and interests
- Regular and Consistent Communication:
- Alumni Mentors and Mentees are expected to connect every 2 to 4 weeks during the program
- Meetings may take place virtually or in person, depending on the match’s availability and preferences
- Collaborative Goal-Setting:
- Each mentorship pair will work together to establish clear academic, professional, and/or personal development goals
- Throughout the program, the mentorship pair will collaboratively identify relevant activities such as resume reviews, interview prep, career planning, and more
- This program strives to create a mutually respectful and trusting environment that fosters self-improvement between both the mentor and mentee
What Mentors & Mentees Work On…
Hands-On Activities
In the past, our mentors have partnered with their mentees on a variety of interactive exercises, such as:
- Conducting mock interviews to boost confidence and preparedness
- Hosting informational interviews to explore career paths
- Coordinating job shadowing opportunities for real-world exposure
- Reviewing and refining resumes and cover letters
- Providing introductions to professionals within their personal networks
- Practicing salary negotiation conversations
- Role-playing difficult workplace situations
- Brainstorming strategies to stand out in internship and job applications
Thoughtful Guidance and Discussion Topics
Our mentors support their mentees through meaningful conversations on topics, such as:
- Exploring career paths and industry options
- Navigating academic decisions and graduate school applications
- Building strong time management habits
- Developing effective networking strategies
- Knowing how and when to follow up after an interview
- Evaluating company culture and workplace fit
- Identifying personal values and professional non-negotiables
- Communicating effectively with managers and supervisors
- Understanding what hiring managers look for in top candidates
Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 Program Information
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES
- STUDENT REQUIREMENT: Mentorship Orientation & Training (MANDATORY)
- *** Please register for the Student Orientation/Training here ***
Monday – 10/27/2025 @ 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (VIRTUAL)Tuesday – 10/28/2025 @ 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (VIRTUAL)Wednesday – 10/29/2025 @ 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (IN PERSON @ PS 121)Monday – 11/3/2025 @ 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (VIRTUAL)Wednesday – 11/5/2025 @ 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (VIRTUAL)Thursday – 11/6/2025 @ 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (PS 121)- Monday – 12/1/2025 @ 12 PM: https://iit.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1867862
- Monday – 12/1/2025 @ 4 PM: https://iit.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1867863
- *** Please register for the Student Orientation/Training here ***
- APPLICATION DUE DATE: This will be the final date that mentorship program applications will be accepted
November 7, 2025 @ 11:59 PM
- MENTORSHIP MATCHING PERIOD: We will work on finding you the perfect mentorship match during this time frame
- November 7, 2025 to December 5, 2025
- MENTORSHIP MATCH NOTIFICATION: You will receive a notification of your mentorship match ON or BEFORE the following date
- December 5, 2025
- FINAL DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS TO INITIATE CONTACT WITH MENTORS: Students will be expected to reach out to their mentors ON or BEFORE the following date
- December 12, 2025
- MENTORSHIP END DATE: This will be the end date of the formal Alumni Mentorship Program for the 2025-2026 year, but we encourage you to maintain your connection with your mentor
- April 24, 2026
Why Join the Illinois Tech Alumni Mentorship Program?
For Students
In today’s professional world, who you know can be just as important as what you know. Your network is truly your net worth. Yet, building that network—especially early in your academic or professional journey—can feel overwhelming. It’s completely normal to feel uncertain or intimidated when it comes to exploring career pathways, reaching out for advice, or even knowing where to start.
This program is designed to bridge that gap by connecting current students with alumni who have walked in your shoes. These mentors understand the challenges you’re facing because they have been there themselves—and they’re eager to help. From exploring different career paths and industries to reviewing your resume, preparing for interviews, or offering encouragement when you’re feeling stuck, our alumni mentors offer real-world guidance, support, and insight you cannot find in a textbook.
Through one-on-one conversations and ongoing mentorship, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and connections that can help shape your future. Whether you’re just starting to think about your career or preparing to enter the job market, the Alumni Mentorship Program empowers you to take meaningful steps forward—backed by a community that genuinely wants to see you succeed.
For Mentors
The Illinois Tech Alumni Mentorship Program offers a unique and fulfilling opportunity for alumni to give back by sharing their personal experiences, career insights, and life lessons with current students. As a mentor, you will play a vital role in guiding and supporting students as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of academic life, professional development, and personal growth.
Whether it’s offering advice on resume building, interview preparation, networking strategies, or simply being a trusted confidant, your mentorship can make a lasting impact on a student’s journey.
This is more than just a volunteer opportunity—it’s a chance to shape the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Alumni volunteers often describe the experience as deeply rewarding and mutually enriching, fostering meaningful connections and a stronger sense of community within the Illinois Tech network. By mentoring, you not only help students succeed, but you also continue your own growth as a leader and lifelong learner.
Testimonials
What Students are Saying…
“The guidance I received is what I was looking for especially outside academics. Really helped me forge a path and direction I want to move in my career. This is the most standout thing in my entire master’s I’d say.”
“I am so happy about the program because of the dedication of my mentor and his intellectual support to me for the past two months. The choice of mentors the program offers spans across many academic backgrounds which was helpful to my having a mentor with the same academic background as me.”
“It bridges the gap between current students and alumni.”
What Alumni Mentors are Saying…
“My mentee is a student from a similar background, so we can relate to a number of situations and experiences. I get a chance to learn about what is going on in Chicago and at Illinois Tech. I am able to fulfill my passion of giving back to my institution and the community.”
“One of my most valuable experiences with my mentee was seeing their confidence grow as they solved real-world problems independently. Watching them turn feedback into real improvement was truly rewarding.“
“Mentorship feels good because giving back to society and young students is meaningful.”
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I join?
The Illinois Tech Alumni Mentorship Program is a great opportunity for Alumni Mentors and Student Mentees to connect, exchanging professional and personal experiences, advice, and insights. As an alumni, you will have the chance to share guidance and expertise to help students prepare for a successful future. As a student, you will be able to ask questions, learn practical skills, and build your professional network for navigating your academic and professional path.
What experience do I need to join as an Alumni Mentor?
We welcome alumni volunteers from all backgrounds and experience levels. We provide guidelines, tips, and advice for our mentors to help them connect with their mentees. Alumni can always reach out at any time.
What experience do I need to join as a Student Mentee?
All currently enrolled Illinois Tech students are welcome to apply! Whether you’re just starting to explore career options or preparing for life post-graduation, the program is designed to support you.
How long does the program last?
The formal mentorship program takes place during the 2025-2026 academic year, beginning at the end of November and ending at the end of April. After the duration of the formal mentorship program, we encourage mentorship matches to stay in touch to further develop the relationship and maintain the professional connection.
How are alumni and students matched?
Alumni and students are matched based on department, major, industry, and/or career interests.
What do I do if I cannot get in touch with my mentor or mentee?
Please contact the program administrators (eginger@illinoistech.edu OR evanichtheeranont@hawk.illinoistech.edu) for assistance.
What if I get too busy?
Life happens. We encourage you to please be upfront with your mentor or mentee if your schedule changes. Communication is key, and short check-ins are better than silence.
Mentorship Spotlight
Raymond Nelson (Mentor) & Mariana Sanchez Badillo (Mentee)
Mentor Name: Raymond Nelson (he/him)
Degree: BSME, Management Minor (Class of 1978)
Current Role: Director, Global Strategy & Lean Operations
Basal Solutions LLC
“Any robust mentor-mentee pairing should ideally be a symbiosis where both receive the benefit of knowledge and experience in different measures. I was able to share my varied experiences that were coupled to Mariana’s questions or needs, often in stories. These allowed me to work on framing them in a relevant, often humorous, way that resonated. I learned a lot about her culture, from sharing my experiences of my various travels to her beautiful native country, and her adding nuances that I had been unaware of. All in all, it has been a delightful experience for me, and I hope for Mariana as well.”
Mentee Name: Mariana Sanchez Badillo (she/her)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2020-2023) and Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering Mechanical at Illinois Institute of Technology (2024-2025).
Current Role: Process Engineer at Lake Cable
“Having Ray as a mentor has been fundamental in navigating my professional journey after college. From mock interviews to résumé reviews, and from practical career advice to honest feedback, Ray has consistently provided guidance that has shaped my growth. My success is, in large part, thanks to Ray’s support. Having a mentor who not only understands my struggles but has personally gone through similar challenges has been invaluable. This also created a sense of trust and relatability that made his advice even more impactful. Beyond the professional skills I’ve gained, Ray has encouraged me to be more confident, resilient, and to have a proactive mindset, all of which have carried over into my personal life as well. His mentorship has been more than guidance; it has been a partnership that has genuinely changed the way I see opportunities, challenges, and my potential.”
Aybige Tek (Mentor) & Anu Singh (Mentee)
Mentor Name: Aybige Tek (she/her)
Degree: MArch – Architecture
Current Role: Architect & Lecturer
“Anu is a dedicated and proactive student with a solid academic foundation. Her focus on an MS in Computer Science from a reputable program like the College of Computing at IIT in Chicago showcases a strong commitment to the field. She shows a high level of responsibility and reliability by attending every meeting, which has also been a motivation for my own work as her mentor. Her skills in machine learning and all her study topics will be a great asset to solving our world’s problems. I am confident in her creative problem-solving skills. We came a long way, from the first meeting to the last meeting, and she gave me the confidence that she truly understands that lifelong learning and skill-building are the keys to success.”
Mentee Name: Anu Singh (she/her)
Degree: MS – Computer Science
Current Role: Graduate Student at Illinois Institute of Technology
“My mentorship with Aybige Tek has been truly empowering, helping me gain confidence in starting conversations and connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn. She also taught me how to stand out in seminars and workshops by asking thoughtful questions and engaging meaningfully with speakers. Aybige’s encouragement, guidance, and belief in my potential have made a lasting impact on my growth. These skills and insights have strengthened my networking abilities, expanded my professional presence, and boosted both my personal and professional confidence.”
