Do you remember someone special in your life who believed in you and helped you find the way to your present career? The MBA Mentor Program draws from the Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business MBA/EMBA graduate alumni network of over 6,000 graduates to do just that for our current students. As an alumni mentor, one can serve the role of friend, advisor, and guide for students regarding their careers, professional options in terms of industry and level of position, and on many other issues that face students at this stage of their professional development. Mentors feel rewarded by the impact they have on a student's career and the rewarding connections they forge with the College and its community of faculty, staff, corporate partners, students and alumni.

Program Mission:

Establish ND MBA student and graduate alumni partnerships whenever possible that:

• Are professional in nature
• Share a similar background, geographic location and/or career field
• Help students transition to the work world in their field of interest
• Are focused upon opportunities for professional development, networking and an exchange of ideas between professionals and their mentees
• Are mutually satisfying and beneficial
• Meet program and student/mentor objectives set out in this non-contractual agreement and in other program documentation

What is my time commitment as a mentor?

The time commitment is up to you however, we ask that you complete a series of basic conversation/coaching sessions as much as possible. These can be completed by phone, e-mail or in person to be determined by you so as to be the least interfering with your personal and professional priorities.

General goals for the partnership:
It is hoped that each student and mentor pair would engage (minimally) in several informal exchanges by phone or email. These interactions would help the student be better informed about the industry in which the alumnus (ae) is employed, about the alumnus' career path, and about advice and suggestions about ways the student can prepare for, move into, and/or advance in the industry.

The mentor is asked to complete the following specific conversations with the student:

• Read the student's resume, cover letter and introductory email, react to each and provide candid questions/comments/suggestions for improvement as applicable
• Suggestions on general job search strategy
• Industry overview including opportunities and key trends in field and/or job level targeting advice (if known)
• Information about resources available such as search and recruiting firms, periodicals and websites, helpful conferences, etc.

From there the relationship could grow to include:

• Providing the student with an opportunity to tour your company
• “Job shadowing” you at work
• Introducing your student to those in your professional network
• A “mock” interview

A mentor is a person who provides:

• Advice on career options and fields of interest
• Shared experiences of the realities of a profession
• Guidance and support through the process of researching internships/summer positions and permanent jobs
• Experiences with networking and how make it work for the student most effectively
• Consultation on résumés, cover letters, or certain ways to approach a potential employer
• Preparation for interviews
• Introduction to a variety of information and resources to assist him/ her in preparing for a specific career

Please note:Communicating expectations clearly are an important part of this program. There is no expectation that as a mentor, you will have any responsibility to help the student find a job in your organization or within your personal network or to serve in any type of “headhunter” role. You are being asked to assist in building a skill set necessary to pursue career opportunities. Students are instructed that it is inappropriate to request a job from you. Please notify the program coordinator immediately if this situation arises. If a job opportunity does arise from the situation, that is wonderful, but that is NOT the purpose of this program.

What is expected of me as a mentor?

• Help the student acquire knowledge, information and develop skills that will smooth the student's transition as a Notre Dame business graduate student to the "real world"”
• Assist the student in developing their own professional network
• Offer advice and suggestions to the student to better prepare them for professional challenges
• Complete the basic conversations listed above

What is the reward of being a mentor?

• Personal gratification of helping empower a future Notre Dame alumnus/ae with the skills needed to succeed in his/her new career.
• The opportunity to stay connected with the College in a beneficial way.
• Help a student succeed in his/ her longer term professional aspirations.
• Build the Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business “brand” as one whose graduates are highly desired as recruits within your business community.

As a mentor, what support will I have?

The mentor program is a combined effort of the MBA Program, Graduate Alumni Relations, and the student alumni committee. The MBA Career Development office will assist you with any difficulties you face, challenges you encounter or give further education/ guidance to the mentees. Contact MBA Career Development, at 574-631-8488 or mbacareer@nd.edu.

• The mentor/ mentee relationship should be satisfying and beneficial to both parties. If at any time you feel that this is not the case, contact either office and we will address the situation individually.
• Opportunity to speak with other alumni mentors on their experiences and share ideas/ tips for future encounters.
• A webinar training session in which program details are itemized and an open discussion forum for questions is provided.