Interested in Becoming a Mentor or Mentee?
Join the Illinois Tech Connect portal and complete the Mentorship Registration Form using the link below!
Please note: Formal mentorship is currently closed for this fiscal year and will reopen in September 2025. In the meantime, students are encouraged to connect informally with alumni through the Illinois Tech Connect platform.
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:
- The Alumni Mentorship Program allows students to request an Alumni Mentor based on key shared factors, such as major/field of study, career/industry interests, shared background (e.g., gender identity, domestic vs. international status, etc.)
- This ensures that each student is matched with an Alumni Mentor who best understands their goals, experiences, and aspirations
- 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 determine clear academic, professional, 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 (TBD)
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES
1) Student Requirement: Mentorship Orientation & Training
All students must attend one orientation session and register on Handshake in order to be eligible for the Alumni Mentorship Program. Currently, we are working to confirm the specific dates and times of our orientation sessions for the Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 program.
Mentorship orientation is projected to occur on the following dates (TBD; Awaiting Confirmation on Timeline):
9/9/25 12:50pm to 1:40 pm (In Person)
9/11/25 4pm to 5pm (Virtual)
9/16/25 12:50pm to 1:40 pm (In Person)
9/18/25 12:50pm to 1:40 pm Virtual
2) Mentor Requests Open
Students can begin requesting Alumni Mentors during the following time period on our online platform:
9/22/25 to 10/3/25 (TBD; Awaiting Confirmation on Timeline)
3) Mentor Match Acceptance Deadline: 10/10/25 (TBD; Awaiting Confirmation on Timeline)
The final date that Alumni Mentors may review and accept requests from potential mentors.
4) Mentorship Relationships Begin: 10/13/25 (TBD; Awaiting Confirmation on Timeline)
5) Final Deadline for Student Outreach: 10/24/25 (TBD; Awaiting Confirmation on Timeline)
Students must initiate contact with their mentor by this date to remain in the program. If contact is not made by this date, then the mentorship match will expire
6) Mentorship Program Conclusion: 5/1/26 (TBD; Awaiting Confirmation on Timeline)
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.”
Mentorship Spotlight
Mentor Name: Emily Ginger (she/her)
Degree: M.S. Psychology (Graduated May 2021)
Current Role: Senior Career Development Coach
“I do not doubt that Emmy will be a fantastic addition to any team and will excel in a clinical
mental health counseling internship. I am confident she will make a significant and positive impact wherever she goes.”
Mentee Name: Emmy Vanichtheeranont (she/her)
Degree: M.S. Rehabilitation & Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Expected 2026)
Current Role: Clinical Intern at Clarity Clinic
“I am so grateful to have been mentored by Emily. We worked on interviewing skills, resume review, and job shadowing. This opportunity has been invaluable for my professional and personal development, and I am so happy we were able to build a strong mentorship connection.”
Resources
Resources for Students:
Resources for Alumni Mentors:
