The Career Connections Mentoring Program is a collaborative effort between Sage’s Alumni Relations, Annual Fund, and Career Planning Offices that pairs current students with Sage-affiliated professionals working in career fields of interest.  The goal of this program is to provide Sage students with professional contacts that can help them reach their career goals.

What makes a great mentor?

The right mix of knowledge, passion and rapport makes a great mentor. A mentor is someone who connects with the students in a way that demonstrates a sincere desire to help, and a commitment to helping student reach their career goals.   

Requirements and Guidelines for Mentors

Although you and a Sage student will ultimately decide what form your mentorship takes, the following minimal requirements for participation will ensure a successful experience for both you and your mentee:

• Informational Interview – You should receive an email from a Sage Student looking to arrange an Information Interview meeting to discuss your background and career history.  The meeting will likely be between 15 and 30 minutes, and will set the platform for future dialogue between you and your mentee.  
• Career & Job Search Advise – Share your career history and advise your mentee on how to succeed in his or her chosen career field.  Offer advice on targeting and securing internship/volunteer opportunities of potential interest, and guide the student in where/how to look for relevant opportunities.  
• Networking – Explain to your mentee the importance of effective networking, and (if you're comfortable doing so) refer your mentee to professional contacts that may be of assistance.  Discuss appropriate professional correspondence and networking etiquette within your chosen career field.  
• Transportation – Although meeting face to face with your mentee isn't a requirement, it is strongly recommended.  If and when you set-up meetings, both you and your mentee will be responsible for transporting yourselves to and from mutually convenient locations.  
• Maintaining Correspondence - In the interest of eliciting student participation and NOT establishing unenforceable guidelines, we've kept the requirements for participating students quite minimal.  Participating students are simply required to attend a Mandatory Program Information Session and need to complete an informational interview with their mentor.   Given this, we're encouraging you as a mentor to regularly “check-in” with the student to see how they're doing and offer support.  It's our hope that your mentorship evolves into a mutually beneficial professional relationship.  

What determines who will be shadowing me?

George Tiggle, Director of Sage Partner Programs, will work with Alumni Relations and Annual Giving to pair you with a Sage student in your target career field. The matching process will take place in late October, and you will be informed of your match by early November.

If you have any questions or concerns before participating in the mentoring program don't hesitate to contact George Tiggle, Director of Sage Partner Programs.