Get Involved with CLA
Be a Guide to the Professional World for a CLA Student
Often students talk about life after graduation as joining the real world. If you were visiting a new world, wouldn't you appreciate having someone to show you around?
Through the CLA Mentor Program, you can give a current CLA student an introduction to the professional world.
Read about the experiences of some alumni who have participated in the CLA Alumni Mentor Program:
Karen Althen became an invaluable resource to international student Jeanne d’Arc Gomis.
Bob Salisbury’s relationship with sophomore Ted Meinhover developed beyond career advising into a strong friendship.
Robert Ngwu’s advice for junior Kolyn Jones better prepared her to enter the job market after graduation.
How it Works
You, a Twin Cities professional, are matched with a CLA undergraduate student based on your mutual career and educational interests.
You and your mentee are encouraged to communicate at least once a month and to meet at least three times during the academic year (October-April).
Your mentee benefits from what you've learned in your professional and educational experiences. You can help your CLA student:
- gain valuable insights on careers and avocations;
- develop networking skills;
- learn about interviewing, resume writing, and workplace etiquette; and
- explore ways to use his/her liberal arts education after graduation.
You get the satisfaction of helping a young person prepare for life after graduation. You are not expected to be a counselor or to give a student a job—just to share what you have learned with someone who's just getting started.
This year, mentoring pairs will be matched by mid-October. We will have a kickoff dinner and training on October 25, 2006, at Coffman Memorial Union.
For more information or to register as a mentor visit: http://careerservices.class.umn.edu/students/mentor/
You may also contact Meaghan VanderSanden in CLA’s Career and Community Learning Center at mvandersanden@class.cla.umn.edu or 612-626-4482