Alumni Mentor Program

Alumni Mentors are Critical to Student Success

Whether you recently graduated or you are retired, you can share your insights with a student who is just starting to figure it all out. Access to successful alumni truly has a positive impact on students’ academic, personal, and career success. See how alumni have contributed to our students’ success.

Mentoring can be one-on-one or as part of career events such as our mentor luncheons, networking nights, virtual sessions, and company visits.

Past alumni mentors have come from organizations such as Accenture, AT&T, CBS This Morning, Citi, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, HBO, MTV, NBC, New York City Department of Education, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Target, the United Nations, and Weill Cornell Medical College.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does It Mean to Be a Mentor?

• Alumni mentors are essential for guidance, ranging from helping students prepare for upcoming interviews to answering questions about their career.
• Mentors are encouraged to provide advice, invite students to attend meetings or career-related events, and/or allow mentees to shadow on-site.

How Do I Become a Mentor?

For more information about this program or if you have any questions, contact us via e-mail or by telephone at 718.951.5696.

What Kind of Preparation Do Mentees Receive?

Students interested in gaining a mentor will receive a Building Professional Relationships presentation which goes into detail about how to make the most of a mentorship.

The presentation will provide email templates for contacting a mentor, cover topics that can be discussed, in addition to sharing best practices to stay in touch.

In person and/or virtual Building Professional Relationships workshops may be given throughout the academic year.

What are some expectations for Mentors?

Be sure to check out our Alumni Mentor Policy.

How Will I Be Introduced to My Mentee?

Meeting students who want to be mentored mainly happens during one of our events such as career mentor luncheons, virtual career exploration sessions, networking nights, or company visits.

At times, a career coach might identify that a student can benefit from speaking with a Brooklyn College alumnus for topics ranging from interview tips to career insight. When that happens, an associate from the Magner Career Center will be in touch to potentially make a pairing.

After the pairing or event, students are responsible for following up with the alumnus by utilizing the tips and techniques in the Building Professional Relationships guide.

How Will I Be Contacted?

• After matching a student and alumni, an associate from the Magner Career Center will contact alumni on behalf of the student.
• Student mentee candidates are encouraged to establish first contact to set up additional conversations.

Feedback About the Alumni-Mentor Program

Michael Joseph ’94, M.P.H.

Interim Chair and Assistant Professor

“I serve as a mentor/speaker because I did not become successful by myself. When I look back into the rearview mirror of my educational journey, I’ve been blessed to have several mentors who encouraged me along the way. Thus, I have a deep desire to be a blessing by giving back and continuing a cycle of mentorship. It is gratifying to know that my words of wisdom and inspiration often lead to my students’ growth and development, both academically and personally.”