Alumni Connect is designed to help current students cultivate a network of professional contacts in the professional world. The program is a platform for alumni and students to establish a mentor/mentee relationship and provides students with a valuable source of guidance aside from the Dominican University community. This program is not a job placement or internship program.
Mentoring is a one-on-one developmental relationship in which an alumnus provides guidance and advice to students about careers and academics. A mentee is a student who volunteers to be assigned to an alumnus. This relationship empowers the mentee to take a proactive role in their professional and personal development.
Students that sign up for the program are assigned to a participating alumni mentor whose field of study and/or career path is similar to that of the student. The Office of Alumni Relations and the Career Development Center will, whenever possible, pair students with alumni mentors in their designed career areas.
The program is designed to be flexible for alumni and students, with the autonomy to create a schedule based on the availability of the participants. This program allows face-to-face onsite interaction at the mentor’s employer, though some may communicate via email or social media. Some may meet only once, while others may meet more frequently. It’s up to you!
The program begins in October at a Meet & Greet session on campus. Students will be paired with their alumni mentors and meet at this event. At this time, the student will have an opportunity to create a personal overview with their mentor to outline goals and objectives for the year. During the spring semester, mentors and mentees will be invited to the Alumni Connect: Mentor & Shadow Program Dinner and complete the end-of-year evaluation form.
Suggested mentor opportunities include: participating in a professional development workshop, visiting company and facility tour, attending a staff meeting or employee training session, working on a particular project at the company, spending the day shadowing the alumni mentor or other employees at the company, and having lunch together.
This program runs from October – April each academic year. The participants choose dates, times, and activities.
How Do I Apply for the Alumni Connect: Mentor & Shadow Program?
Alumni: Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (845) 848-7426 or email alumni@duny.edu for an application.
Students: Contact Joanne Sorace, Director of Career Development, at (845) 848-7409 or email Joanne.Sorace@duny.edu and schedule an appointment. The Career Development Center is located in Rosary Hall.