Dear undergraduate college student:
You have MENTORS all around you.
Mentors are people in your life that provide you with coaching, advisement, inspiration and motivation. It’s a supporting, professional relationship that develops over time.
Because you are a current student at a college/university, you are already surrounded by professionals and leaders that job is to support your academic, personal, and career development. Here are some examples/titles of who these people are:
Faculty member Orientation leader Club/Organization Staff Advisor
Academic Advisor RA/ Residential Advisor Club/Organization E-Board Member
Peer Mentor/Advisor Career Counselor Former faculty member/professor
Not only do these people provide you (or have previously provided you) with guidance, advice, and opportunities, they can also CONNECT you with OTHERS that can provide the same.
How to get started:
- Identify and reconnect with these individuals in your life. They may be students/staff/faculty members that you are currently engaged with or from a previous semester.
- Set up a meeting. It could be at their office, grab a coffee, or lunch.
- Listen to what they have to say. They may be able to connect you with others. Follow up with their recommendations.
Here are some questions you can ask them to start a conversation:
- Who are the mentors in your life? How did those relationships start? How do you keep in touch?
- I am struggling with __________. How do you think I should move forward?
- I am majoring in __________. What are some career paths that are related to that major?
- Have you attended graduate school? How did you know it was right for your field?
- I am thinking about an internship. What can Career Services offer?
- What are some opportunities/clubs/organizations that I should be involved with?
- What campus events or programs are coming up? Which ones should I attend?
Next steps for success and follow up:
Surround yourself with people that are similar and who you want to become, but also as important, people who are different than you. College is a time to immerse yourself with diversity of thought, culture, experiences, history, skills, and personalities. Be open to learning and expanding your viewpoint about all topics, especially the ones that are very close to you.
Meaningful relationships take time. Be patient. Be persistent. Don’t be annoying.
You cannot get everything from one person. Create many professional relationships in your life that can turn into your personal board of directors.
Pay it forward: be a mentor or role model to others. You too can mentor someone younger or less experienced, be an inspiration to them, share your story and connect them with your network/resources.
The answers that you are seeking in life are all around you. Observe, listen, and take action.
Success,
Maria
Maria Tomaino
Associate Director of Alumni Career Services
Office of Alumni Relations
Florida International University
@mtomain
mltomain@fiu.edu