Students

Building success in today's business climate requires more than scholarly academic pursuits. It also requires knowledge of the business environment and the ability to negotiate within it. Seattle University has been greatly effective in building leaders who meet these criteria. A vital element in this success has been the Albers Mentor Program. By involving high level executives with our students, we provide an opportunity to meld the "real world" with that of the classroom.
Student Orientation

The Mentor Program at a Glance

Each year, Puget Sound business executives volunteer their time to mentor Albers students. From October to June, mentor groups (a mentor and a small group of students) meet to discuss business issues, career paths, personal concerns and professional experiences. Samples of mentor group activities include presenting true-to-life case studies, inviting students to strategy meetings, providing an overview of a company, arranging meetings with company executives, etc. The time committed is flexible, but the groups generally meet every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the year with each group setting its own agenda and goals.

Who Can Participate?

All graduate-level business students and senior undergraduate business students are invited to participate. It is expected that graduate and undergraduates will be grouped separately.

Student Involvement

As in most endeavors, the more you put into the program, the more you get out. Students are usually asked at their first meeting to identify their goals and objectives for the program (completing the Student Profile can be helpful for this discussion). This is done as a group and the more focused the group, the better the experience. This sometimes involves compromise since group members may have different objectives. In addition to defining learning objectives, students are responsible for making all contacts with the mentor and setting up all meetings.

Since the inception of the Mentor Program in the 1990-91 school year, over 1,000 business leaders and 4,000 students have participated.

Getting Involved

A list of mentors will be available in mid-September, along with the current date/time of this year's Mentor Fair. We recommend that you read more information about the mentors to decide which mentors might be most helpful to you for your interests and future goals.

• Mentor List

Everyone who wishes to participate in the program should attend the Mentor Fair, which is usually on the first Friday evening of October. At this event you can visit with the mentors and get to know them before submitting your Mentor Selection Form. Refreshments will be provided.  Check out this brief Mentor Fair Video to learn more about the event.

A Student Orientation session is offered just prior to the Mentor Fair.  Students are encouraged to attend to gain more details about the structure and expectations of the Mentor Program.  If a student is not able to attend, a Make-Up Student Orientations will be offered after the Fair.  A recording of the student orientation will also be available.  

To officially join the program, submit a Mentor Selection Form (see below) online. Please submit this no later than the due date provided. If you are not able to submit your form in time, you will have to wait to join the Mentor Program until the next fall.

• Grad Mentor Selection Form 
• Undergrad Senior Mentor Selection Form

Approximately 2-3 weeks after the Mentor Fair, you will receive via e-mail your mentor group assignment including the contact information of your mentor and other members of your group. The mentor group then arranges their first meeting time for November or December to start to get to know each other and make plans for the year.  From that point on it is up to your group and your mentor how you will proceed.

As you participate in this program, please keep in mind the Mentor Program is a career builder activity - it is not a job placement activity. While discussions of your career, various career strategies and concerns, and what it's like to work in various industries are pertinent and appropriate for meetings, your mentor is not expected to provide you a job.

If you need some ideas for what to do with your mentor, check out this resource: Mentoring Activities & Discussion Topics.

We wish each student and mentor group to have a great experience. If you encounter problems with getting the group together or have other concerns, please contact our office as soon as possible at (206) 296-5687 or acc@seattleu.edu.

• Frequently Asked Questions