Mentoring opportunities for students: don’t miss out!

As students prepare to take their knowledge and skills into the job market, finding a mentor to provide guidance and advice can mean the difference between frustration and success.

A mentor can give a clearer picture of employer expectations and job responsibilities, highlight emerging areas of need in their fields, provide tips on resume-building, and offer specific advice about getting hired.  Each school year, the Career Services department at Capitol works to pair students with experienced professionals via the university’s Career Mentor Program – and the deadline for 2016-2017 is coming up!

“The program is designed to pair students with professionals who have been in their fields for at least five years,” explained Sarah Alspaw, assistant director of career services and graduate student support. “Generally, these professionals are individuals we’ve built relationships with via the Alumni Association and the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), a leading professional association in the field of cybersecurity.”

The program is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors; to be eligible, a student must have a GPA of 2.5 or better. The number of slots is limited, with preference given to students who have clearly identified their career goals.

“We’re looking more for students who have a pretty good grasp of what they want to do with their career, as opposed to students who have absolutely no idea,” Alspaw said. “That way, it’s easier to pair the student with an appropriate mentor and it also means they will receive better feedback from the mentor.”

Students accepted into the program must commit to meeting twice a month for a total of at least six meetings over the course of the semester. They must also attend interview, orientation and kick-off events and be willing to serve on the Career Services Advisory board, which meets once a semester.

What can a student expect from his or her mentor? According to Alspaw, the advice offered can cover the entire spectrum of job-related questions, from how to communicate effectively during an interview to what should and should not be included on a resume. One mentor, she said, even took a student out clothes shopping.

“The mentor gave the student recommendations on buying a suit and on what stores he should be looking at for professional attire,” Alspaw said. Other mentors have conducted resume reviews, job shadowing and other activities designed to help a student make the transition to professional life.

Participation in the mentorship program is a valuable asset for any student who is looking ahead to the career building process – but you’ll need to act fast. The application deadline for the 2016-17 school year is March 31, by noon. Applications can be picked up from the Career Services department; for more information, contact the department at careers@captechu.edu.