Illinois Tech Alumni Mentorship Program
Goal of Mentorship Program:
- Provide a professional resource to help students successfully navigate their academic and career paths.
- Help students build and develop professional skills.
- Provide students with advice and guidance for their academic, professional, and personal development.
Program Overview:
- Students are matched with an alumni mentor based on major, degree, and career interests.
- Students and mentors connect on a regular basis (every 2 to 4 weeks) during the program.
- Mentors and students collaborate to determine goals and activities to work on during the mentorship relationship.
Activities current mentors have done with their students include:
- Mock interviews
- Informational interviews
- Job shadows
- Resume and cover letter review
- Introductions to professionals in mentor’s network
- Mock salary negotiations
- Role-play difficult conversations in the workplace
- Brainstorm ways to stand out in your internship/job applications and interviews
Discussion topics current mentors have provided advice and guidance with include:
- Career options
- Academic and graduate school options
- Time management
- Effective networking
- How to follow-up after an interview
- Assessing workplace environments
- Assessing workplace values/non-negotiables
- Communications in the workplace with managers or supervisors
- What hiring managers are looking for in applicants
Why Join the Illinois Tech Alumni Mentorship Program?
Students
In the professional world, who you know can be important! Understanding your career path options and networking can often be intimidating. You might be unsure about where to start, who to reach out to, or what to say. The Alumni Mentorship Program makes it easy to get advice and network in your field. Illinois Tech alumni are some the greatest resources for understanding career options and finding professional opportunities. Alumni have been in your shoes before want to share their knowledge and advice to help you succeed!
Current Illinois Tech students have found the program helpful for understanding and navigating career options. Current students feel more confident and motivated to apply for internships or jobs, attend career fairs, and take action with other career related endeavors.
“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 masters I’d say.”
Alumni
The Illinois Tech Alumni Mentorship Program allows alumni to share their own personal experiences, advice, guidance, and expertise to help students prepare for a successful future. As a mentor, you will help Illinois Tech students with academic, career, and personal development as they are entering their career. Current alumni volunteers have found the program to be a rewarding and meaningful experience to help students navigate during this phase in their career path.
“My mentee is a student having a similar background like mine so we can relate to a number of situations and experiences. I get a chance to get to know about the current scenario at Chicago in general and IIT in particular. I am able to fulfill my passion of giving back to my institution and the community.”
Important Dates and Deadlines for Spring 2024 (we will send reminders again once matched):
February 2, 2024 Application Deadline
February 2, 2024 Deadline to complete Student Training and Orientation **Students MUST register for training on Handshake**
February 12, 2024 Mentors and students are notified about matching
February 19, 2024 Last day for students to initiate contact with mentor
June 20, 2024 End of Spring 2024 mentorship
Interested in being a mentor or mentee? Apply below and we will be in touch!
**Students MUST also register for a training on Handshake. Search “alumni mentorship” in events.** Training dates: 1/16, 1/18, 1/23, or 1/25
Resources for Students:
