CBT Professional Mentorship Program

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College of Business and Technology Professional Mentorship Program

Overview

The College of Business and Technology (CBT) Professional Mentorship program offers a dynamic mentorship experience designed to connect our students with seasoned professionals in their respective fields who can offer guidance, advice, and support as they navigate the transition from student life to the workforce. The program carefully matches mentors and student mentees based on compatibility and shared interests, ensuring meaningful connections that align with students' academic and career goals. By fostering these mentorship relationships, we aim to enhance our students' career readiness and cultivate a strong sense of community within our academic and professional networks.

Benefits

As a student mentee, you'll benefit by:

Connecting with professionals for insights and guidance on essential career tools (writing resumes, crafting cover letters, navigating the job search process, mastering the interview process, etc.).
Cultivating meaningful and effective relationships and expanding your professional network.
Honing your professional communication skills through consistent interactions with your mentor.
Exploring career paths, organizations, and opportunities through firsthand knowledge and experiences shared by your mentor.
Receiving expertise and advice from someone who has successfully navigated the professional landscape.
Developing and enhancing professional communication skills.
Seizing new networking and collaboration opportunities, opening doors to potential partnerships, projects, and collaborations to enhance your professional growth and development.

As a mentor, you'll benefit by:

Sharing your talents, real-world experiences, and professional wisdom.
Gaining valuable insights into the perspectives and aspirations of the next generation, fostering a deeper understanding of their wants and needs.
Strengthening your leadership and coaching skills, honing your abilities to inspire, guide, and empower others to reach their full potential.
Cultivating meaningful connections within the college and building a collaborative network of professionals committed to advancing our students' academic and professional development.
Giving back to the college by serving as a mentor to students striving to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Serving as a role model for aspiring professionals with similar educational and career aspirations.
Making a lasting impact on the lives of aspiring professionals and empowering them to succeed and thrive in their careers.

Program Expectations

To have a fulfilling and rewarding experience, you must meet the following expectations.

For student mentees:

Attend the half-an-hour orientation session at the beginning of the semester.
Meet the mentor consistently, at least twice a semester for approximately one hour (for example, grab a coffee with them, talk over video chat or phone call at the start and end of each semester). The actual schedule will be determined by the mentor and the student mentee.
The first connection must be initiated by the mentees and done face-to-face through video chat or in person. This helps mentors and students get to know each other better.
Be receptive and internalize changes associated with constructive feedback.
Follow through on all commitments made particularly concerning the scheduling and length of mentoring sessions.
Complete end-of-semester program evaluation.
Assume responsibility for your professional growth and development. The focus of the program is professional development, not obtaining a job.

For mentors:

Meet with your mentee(s) consistently, at least twice a semester for approximately one hour (for example, grab a coffee with them, talk over a video chat or phone call at the start and end of each semester).
The first connection must be done face-to-face through video chat or in person. This helps mentors and students get to know each other better.
Strive to develop a good rapport with your mentee(s).
Respond promptly when your mentee reaches out to you.
Encourage your mentee(s) to grow and advocate for themselves.
Provide advice and guidance within the scope of your personal experience and knowledge.
Complete end-of-semester program evaluation.

How to Apply

For the Fall 2024 Cohort of the CBT Professional Mentorship Program, click the appropriate application link below and fill it out. The questions you answer will allow the program director to find the best match for you.

*While we will do our best to provide every applicant with a match, completing an application does not guarantee a spot in the program.