Mentorship program details
For students
The Department of Communication is pleased to offer a program that matches current Communication majors with volunteer alumni mentors. A mentor can be a great help to you as you explore career interests, grow your professional network, and think about workplace preferences and challenges.
All Communication majors are eligible to apply. Matches will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, please visit the mentorship program page in the communication major open course on Canvas.
*We have a limited number of alumni mentors, so if we cannot match you right away, we'll put you on a waiting list. If you cannot access the Canvas course page, please contact Leanne Cunningham.
For alumni
Mentoring is a positive, supportive relationship in which a more experienced individual shares their knowledge, skills, and life experience to guide a less experienced individual toward reaching their full potential. Whether you’ve had a lot of experience or you’re at the beginning of your professional career, you can be a big help to an undergraduate student just by sharing your experience and insights. Our program matches undergraduate Communication majors with department alumni to help students navigate the transition between college and the professional world.
Program goals
- Help student mentees to explore professional goals, career interests, workplace preferences, and issues of identity and inclusion
- Support mentees in developing their professional and personal networks
- Provide informational and social support to reduce mentees' anxiety as they make plans for their post-college futures
- Help mentees gain insight into the value and practical use of their education
- Provide a meaningful opportunity for alumni mentors to connect with students
- Offer alumni mentors an opportunity to hone their leadership and coaching skills
- Strengthen relationships between alumni mentors and the Department of Communication
Mentor responsibilities
- Meet with your student mentee via video conference
(Zoom/Teams), telephone, or in person if convenient - Listen to your student mentee
- Share your experiences and views
- Help your mentee clarify their interests and goals
- Help your mentee see connections between their college
coursework and the professional world - Maintain appropriate confidentiality
- Provide support, encouragement, and positive
reinforcement
Questions?
Contact the program director, Leanne Cunningham, for more information or to sign up to be a mentor.
Sign up to be a mentee
Are you a current communication major interested in finding a mentor? Visit the mentorship program Canvas page or email Leanne Cunningham for more information.