Alumni Mentor Program Engineering Career Services Events GE Distinguished Alumni Award GE Placement System Guest Speaker Opportunities Links to UIUC alumni webpages Newsletter

Alumni Mentor Program

Dear General Engineering Alumni,

Thank you for expressing interest in the General Engineering Mentor Program. The purpose of the program is to give General Engineering students an additional resource in planning their education and career. The program, run primarily by General Engineering alumni, connects a current General Engineering student with a General Engineering graduate. The program provides an opportunity for students to seek professional input and graduates to have more interaction with the University. Ultimately, the program seeks to provide professional "real world" guidance to students, resulting in more marketable, prepared, and aware General Engineering graduates.

The mentor will make initial contact with the student; however, once initial contact is made, the participants can decide together how they would like to interact. The mentor should:

Mentor:

A mentor is an experienced resource who helps students advance their education and careers by teaching, coaching, and counseling.

Characteristics of a good mentor:

People oriented
Values his/her career and has a good work ethic
Has confidence
Cares about others
Is non-judgmental and accepts others' differences
Is able to establish a comfortable environment for discussion
Enjoys watching students progress
Demonstrates sensitivity to student needs
Trusts others and can be trusted


Characteristics of a good mentor-student relationship:

Both participants demonstrate flexibility by being open to change, showing a willingness to explore possibilities, and showing a willingness to help and to learn.
Both participants gain professional and personal satisfaction from the relationship.
Both participants make a commitment to advancing professional development.
Both participants agree to confront problems and conflicts and to resolve them constructively.
A student can identify and articulate the mentor's effect on their professional growth and development.
A mentor assists a student, identifying their strengths and improvement opportunities so that potential can be maximized.
A student gains increased knowledge and confidence.


Possible questions from Mentees:

What was your first job like? How did you know which offer to take?
Do you like working for a big or small company? Positives/Negatives?
What additional college courses did you take or do you wish you had taken?
How do you remain current in your field?
Do you work in project teams? Do you supervise others, and if so, how many?
What are some of the most important skills that you use to be successful in your job?
Does your job require travel? Do you like that? What is it like?
Do you think membership in professional societies/organizations is important?
How do I get information about professional associations/organizations?
Do you work much overtime? Do you have a flexible schedule? What is your work environment like?
What was your Secondary Field of Concentration? Do you use it in your current job? Previous job?
How did you describe General Engineering to recruiters?
What do you think are the most useful/beneficial aspects of the General Engineering Degree?