MENTORSHIP AND NETWORKING
Through one-on-one mentorship pairings and networking opportunities, the Office for Professional Development supports students as they build meaningful connections.
PEER CAREER COACHING
The Peer Career Coaching program offers peer-to-peer career, internship and professional development support to College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students. Our coaches meet students where they are on their college-to-career journey and offer personalized guidance to support students as they strive to achieve their professional development goals.
The Peer Career Coaching Program aspires to empower all College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students to chart their own unique paths. Our coaches aim to partner with all CLAS students to make their educational and professional goals a reality.
The team offers a wide variety of appointments, including in-person/virtual and 30-minute/60-minute options. Current CLAS students should log into Handshake and then follow these prompts to schedule an appointment:
- Select CLAS Professional Development as your appointment type.
- Choose a 30-minute or a 60-minte appointment.
- Select the date, time and coach that is available.
- After you make your appointment, you'll receive a confirmation e-mail from Handshake with all the details.
BRIDGE SOCIETY
The BRIDGE Society in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences builds relationships between students and alumni—inspiring both student professional development and alumni engagement and providing a forum for students to gain the experiences necessary to forge their future careers.
- Provide CLAS students opportunities to explore potential career paths and meet alumni and employers in their fields of interest.
- Host numerous mentoring and networking events throughout the academic year to help students learn about a wide variety of careers.
- Provide an opportunity for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to identify with the College, in addition to their major.
- Create opportunities for student leadership within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
CLAS ALUMNI-STUDENT MENTORING PROGRAM
The Office for Professional Development is delighted to offer to alumni and students the opportunity to be matched one-to-one in an alum-student mentorship pairing.
Mentoring consists of a long-term relationship focused on supporting the academic and professional growth and development of the mentee. The goal is to provide mentees with a supportive network that they can depend upon to seek guidance, develop professional skills and receive recommendations that will prepare them for the future.
By participating in this program, alumni mentors:
- Gain joy in sharing knowledge and experiences with students.
- Achieve personal fulfillment through meaningful connections.
- Grow more familiar with the new generation entering the workforce.
- Strengthen active listening and communications skills.
- Build enhanced leadership skills by developing their abilities to motivate, guide, and encourage.
- Give back to the University in a very meaningful way.
By participating in this program, student mentees:
- Develop valuable skills in communication, critical thinking and professionalism.
- Learn how to accept and grow from mentor feedback.
- Expand their professional network.
- Get firsthand knowledge of an industry, department and role.
- Gain an advocate who will encourage career exploration and goal achievement.
Get Involved
Alum-student pairings are created each semester: August (for the fall semester) and January (for the spring semester). You’ll receive an email message to confirm your participation and to introduce you to your alumni mentor or your student mentee. We strive to match all interested alumni and students, but sometimes we are unable to honor all requests.
If you have any questions, please contact Kate Szumanski, Director of Professional Development.