Alumni Mentor Program : Journalism & Mass Communication : U of M

Alumni Mentor Program

With an alumni base of nearly 10,000 members, the SJMC is in a unique position to provide professional assistance to students. One of the ways the School helps students connect with alumni is through a mentoring program sponsored by the SJMC Alumni Society. For the last two decades, the SJMC alumni board has made hundreds of mentoring matches, connecting SJMC juniors, seniors and graduate students with professionals willing to share their experiences.

How does the program work?

First, students attend a mandatory information meeting and fill out an online application. After reviewing students’ interests and expectations, members of the Alumni Society Board start making matches.

We try to find a professional for each student, someone who has the job the student wants. The mentorship isn’t an internship, nor is it intended to lead to a job at the mentor’s workplace. It is simply a chance to talk candidly, to learn about life after college and to begin that transition from college life to the “real world.” When the matchmaking process is complete, mentors and students attend a kick-off event. After that, it’s up to them. Some pairs meet twice a month, others once a month. In most cases, the student will tour the mentor’s workplace. Other popular mentorship activities include resume writing, job search planning, portfolio/tape critiquing and networking. It is not unusual for some relationships to endure as students earn their degrees, seek employment and begin their careers.

The deadline for this year's program has passed. Check back in August 2010 for information on the 2010-2011 application process.