What is Mentoring?
Mentoring can be both structured and unstructured in nature. For the Raiders Connect program, mentoring is a structured, one-on-one relationship that focuses on the professional development needs of the mentee. Professional development can be done by:
- Building caring and supportive relationships
- Encouraging individuals to learn and grow
- Assisting an individual in developing his or her own vision of the future
The role of the mentor is to provide insight and guidance for the mentee based on personal experience in career and academic pursuits.
Responsibilities of a Mentor
- Meet face to face or via video conference with your mentee at least once per year.
- Scheduled regular phone meetings at least four times per year (more often is encouraged).
- Set monthly goals with Mentee, a list of suggestions is provided within RC program in SHIP Connects.
- Be available for questions via phone and email.
- Discuss career goals and coach on professionalism in the workplace.
- Introduce mentee to people and organizational resources in his or her career field
The Raiders Connect Mentoring Program will run throughout the academic school year starting in October and going through to April. The Career Center will match mentors and students for optimal fit and will provide professional development resources for mentees and mentors to discuss in person, on the phone or via video conference. After the initial pairing process, mentees and mentors will meet at a minimum of three times within the length of the program.
The purpose of this program is to:
- Provide learning experiences to expand and enhance participants current skills and abilities
- Enable those who want to further develop their leadership abilities to gain experience from a mentor, who, as an established alumni or industry employer helps to shape the daily momentum on campus and moves us forward
- Give participants an opportunity for professional development in the workplace, career guidance and networking are shared.
- Give mentees a chance to make connections and network with alumni and professionals in the students chosen career field.
Our Mission
To support, connect and educate current SHIP students about careers and professional development by fostering mentoring relationships between students and alumni/employers.
Benefits
Through mentoring, there is a mutual way of learning and allowing both participants to develop transferable skills to add to their respective experiences. Effective mentoring advances your mentee by spending time and know-how with an employee or an alumnus. The mentor/mentee relationship is one of the most rewarding experiences in which students, alumni and employers can be involved.
Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
If you are interested in becoming a Mentor to one of our students, please reach out to the Career Center at (717) 477-1484 or career@ship.edu .
