Fordham Mentoring Program Application Date

APPLY ONLINE by August 17th

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Want more info? Contact: Christie Welch - cwelch3@fordham.edu

WELCOME

The Fordham Mentoring Program pairs motivated students with experienced alumni who share professional and personal expertise and guidance through a one-on-one year-long mentorship. Mentors and mentees take part in Fordham-hosted events and workshops, regular engagement surveys, mock interviews, resume reviews, and other networking opportunities to establish a meaningful relationship of value to both partners.

The program allows mentors to partner with Fordham faculty and staff in preparing students for successful and fulfilling lives as global leaders, enabling them to live out the charge of St. Ignatius to "go forth and set the world on fire!" 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

After applications are carefully reviewed and mentors and mentees are matched based off commonalities in their person-professional profiles, participants receive a notification informing them of their pairing and providing more information on their mentor or mentee. Throughout the year-long program, mentors and mentees meet and communicate regularly based off the agreed-upon terms of the Mentor-Mentee Covenant. Pairs are required to attend four Fordham-hosted Milestone events and check in regularly by completing scheduled Checkpoint surveys.

THE MENTEE

Mentees benefit from the partnership by working with an experienced and supportive professional. They learn to define their goals, express themselves professionally, and gain exposure to new ideas, perspectives, and environments. Mentee professionalism and commitment is central to the success of the Fordham Mentoring Program.

(FAQs)

Who are the mentees?

The mentees are upperclassmen undergraduate students from the Gabelli School of Business, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and Fordham College at Rose Hill. Applicants are among Fordham's most motivated students. To be admitted to the program, the student's application must be reviewed and approved by the Fordham Mentoring Team and he or she must complete a prerequisite training session in the Office of Career Services.

Who are the mentors?

Mentors may be alumni from any of Fordham's undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional schools. Mentors may also be friends of the University or parents of Fordham students. Each mentor thus has a unique understanding of the Fordham experience and a commitment to helping students achieve success.

Mentors must be at least three (3) years out from graduation but otherwise range in age, experience, and realm of expertise. Mentor professions include architects, lawyers, physicians, finance professionals, marketing executives, publishers—the list goes on! 

What if my mentor is not a perfect match?

As stated in the Match Notification Message, the golden rule of mentoring is that the experience is what you make of it. Students, your mentor may not have your "dream job" or be an identical match. Realize that as an experienced professional, your mentor has a breadth of advice – personal and professional – to share. The keys to success are not necessarily career-specific secrets but general skills, characteristics, and best practices.
So, be open-minded, curious, responsive, and remember the major thing you both have in common: your Fordham experience!

What are Milestone Events?

The offices of Alumni Relations and Career Services host four events each year to provide an opportunity for matched pairs to meet and for participants to engage the larger group. The focus and structure of these events varies. 

The first event, the Meet & Greet, welcomes participants, and provides an introduction and general overview of the program. The event allows mentors and mentees the opportunity to meet and discuss, and agree upon the terms and expectations of their mentoring relationship in the Mentor-Mentee Covenant Form.

The skills development workshop takes various forms, is held before the holiday break and typically focuses on the development of several important professional competencies. The event begins with a formal presentation on the topic by an industry expert and then groups have the opportunity to network and engage one another as part of a relevant workshop exercise. This typically means speed networking or resume reviews.

At the third event, held in the beginning of the spring semester, mentors and mentees are invited to network over a pre-game lunch before attending a Men’s Basketball home game. During the luncheon, a Fordham alumnus will present on any of several various topics. The concluding event, normally held in the spring before final exams, is the Mentor Appreciation Dinner. At this event, participants acknowledge the contributions of their partners, and in a particular way students and the university staff express their appreciation for the time and service of the program’s mentors. Participants dine at industry-focused tables, allowing for themed professional discussions.

What if I have to miss a milestone event?

Pairs are strongly encouraged to attend all four milestone events, however sometimes other commitments may present scheduling conflicts. As long as notice of the need to reschedule is provided in advance of the event and the pair makes plans to meet in lieu of the event, he or she may be excused from attending. Note that the full program schedule is posted on the program’s website in advance.

What is considered an appropriate mentoring relationship?

As a mentor, it is critical to remember that you are a role model. Though a trusting friendship may (and should) be the foundation of a mentorship, remember your mentee is not your peer. Appropriate meeting places include your place of business (job shadowing), a public place, or one of Fordham's campuses, while inappropriate meeting places include bars, malls, residences, and dorm rooms. Consuming alcohol with or buying alcohol for your mentee is strictly prohibited.

May a mentor-mentee pair remain matched after the end of the program, or renew their through next academic year?

When the student graduates, it is up to the mentor and mentee whether they would like to retain a mentorship and to outline how the nature and terms of this relationship may be different. If a student and mentor are looking to extend the relationship to a second year, they may do so after notifying the Fordham Mentoring Team.

Interested? Apply today!