Alumni/Student Mentoring Program
Alumni mentoring provides the opportunity for Williamson students to gain invaluable skills from alumni, as they prepare for their future career.
Alumni mentoring provides the opportunity for Williamson students to gain invaluable skills from alumni, as they prepare for their future career. In turn, alumni have the opportunity to support Williamson students in a meaningful way while building their own network. The program offers a variety of opportunities for alumni and students to engage in mentoring events and initiatives.
For Alumni
About the Program
- One-to-One Career Coaches – Williamson alumni mentors will be paired with a student (or students) during a structured evening program to offer practical advice related to maximizing their Williamson education experience, navigating career paths, creating work/life balance and other related topics.
- First Year Coaches – Williamson alumni mentors attend the freshmen First Year Experience barbecue to welcome freshmen and provide advice on successfully transitioning to on-campus life at Williamson.
- Senior Capstone Coaches – Williamson alumni mentors attend an off-campus dinner with graduating seniors to discuss post-graduation experiences and the importance of the Williamson Core Values.
Other alumni volunteer opportunities include:
- “Second Semester Kick-off” Cornhole Tournament – The tournament provides an opportunity for alumni to connect with students in a relaxed and fun setting while providing advice and encouragement as they begin the spring semester.
- Trade Talk Roundtable Discussions –Trade Talk Roundtables provide a platform for alumni to lead discussions around trends within their trade/industry. Alumni leaders will also share about their Williamson experience and career path.
- Assembly Speakers – Throughout the year, there are opportunities for alumni to present at student assemblies, Chapel service or other school events.
Benefits of Participation
- Strengthen your alumni network connections through interactions with students and fellow alumni mentors.
- Strengthen your engagement with Williamson by experiencing the daily life of the Williamson through interaction with current students.
Alumni Expectations
- Be committed and fully participate in assigned mentoring opportunities by ‘showing-up’ for students and fully engaging.
- Be willing to develop a respectful relationship with the students participating in the programs and be a source of encouragement.
- Be willing to get to know the students on a personal level to make interactions rewarding and beneficial for both the mentor and student.
- Be open to sharing the challenges and doubts you faced while making your 1,000-day journey.
- Be a responsive mentor by responding to student outreach in a timely manner and sharing meaningful resources and connections, as appropriate.
- Be a positive ambassador for the College and its programs.
- Comply with all college policies and codes of conduct as agreed to in the Volunteer Code of Conduct Agreement and the policies and guidelines listed on the Williamson website under Consumer Information.
- Assist the College in continuing to improve the mentor experience by sharing feedback at the end of the academic year through a post-program survey and the end of year wrap up meeting (in personal or virtual).
For Students
About the Program
- There are several opportunities to connect with alumni mentors throughout the year.
- Alumni volunteers who have graduated from Williamson will connect with students to offer practical advice related to maximizing their Williamson education experience, navigating career paths, creating work/life balance and other related topics.
- Alumni/Student meetings may take place virtually via Zoom or similar online platforms or in person.
- Sessions may be focused on a particular topic or skill or may be an open discussion to meet the needs of the participating students.
Benefits of Participation
- Build and utilize your Williamson network both during your time at Williamson and in your professional career.
- Gain valuable information and applicable skills from meaningful interactions with successful alumni working in relevant careers.
Build and utilize your Williamson network both during your time at Williamson and in your professional career.
Gain valuable information and applicable skills from meaningful interactions with successful alumni working in relevant careers.
Student Expectations
- Be committed to fully participate in the sessions/events at which you are attending.
- Be willing to develop a respectful relationship with your alumni mentors participating in the program.
- Be prepared to discuss career and work/life questions and be open to learning from your alumni mentors.
- Be open to sharing your challenges or doubts with your alumni mentors – they too have made the 1,000 day journey at Williamson.
- Assist the College in continuing to improve the student experience by sharing feedback at the end of the academic year through a post-program survey.
Interested students must contact the Office of Alumni Relations to register or stop by the office on 1st Floor Rowan Hall (just past President Round’s Office.)
