Overview
The RecWell Alumni Mentorship Program connects current ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì Recreation and Wellness Services student employees with former RecWell alumni to support career development and professional growth. Through one-on-one*, virtual mentoring via Microsoft Teams, students are paired with alumni based on academic majors and career interests, creating meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom and workplace. *(or two-on-one, depending upon how many mentors that we have)
Mentors will provide guidance, share professional experiences, and help students build confidence as they explore career pathways and academic retention at ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University (KSU). In turn, alumni gain the opportunity to give back, stay connected to the university, and play an active role in preparing the next generation of Golden Flashes for success after graduation.
Goals of the Program
- Support Professional Development: Provide student employees with mentorship that builds career readiness, confidence, and transferable skills.
- Foster Meaningful Connections: Strengthen ties between RecWell alumni and current student employees through shared experiences and career guidance
- Enhance Career Exploration: Connect students with mentors in their intended fields to broaden knowledge of career pathways and opportunities.
- Encourage Alumni Engagement: Offer alumni a meaningful way to give back, remain connected to ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì, and contribute to the growth of future Golden Flashes.
- Promote Lifelong Learning: Cultivate a culture of continuous growth where both mentors and mentees gain perspective and insight through the mentorship relationship.
Program Structure
From January through May each year, mentors and mentees are expected to meet once a month. Pre-selected topics are provided to help guide and structure their conversations.
Topics:
- January: Introductions & Goal Setting
- Reintroduce themselves and share your current or former RecWell student employment position.
- Mentors share their career journey and professional story (personal elements encouraged).
- Mentees share their academic major, academic story, career goals, and 2–3 personal goals for the program.
- Establish norms and expectations for the semester.
- February: Transferable Professional Development Skills
- Review NACE Career Readiness Competencies.
- Discuss essential workplace skills and how the mentor has applied them throughout their career.
- Mentees share how they’ve developed these skills as a ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì student and RecWell employee.
- Mentors provide recommendations for further skill development, including industry-specific skills and resources.
- Complete a mid-semester check-in form.
- March: Career Networking
- Discuss career opportunities related to the mentee’s academic major or field of study.
- Mentees come prepared with questions based on research.
- Mentors share strategies for building a professional network, including involvement in:
- Committees
- Conferences
- Workshops
- Online webinars/resources
- April: Mock Interview & Resume/Cover Letter Review
- Conduct a mock interview and/or review the mentee’s resume/cover letter.
- Mentors provide feedback and suggestions based on industry standards and expectations.
- May: End-of-Semester Presentation & Assessment
- Mentees deliver a 5-minute presentation on Microsoft Teams highlighting what they learned from their mentor.
- Presentations should include future academic and career goals, as well as next steps inspired by the mentorship experience.
- Mentors, RecWell administrative staff, and interested student employees in the program are encouraged to attend.
- Mentors and mentees complete a post – program assessment.