Helping Current Students

University of Rochester alumni frequently give back to the UR community through mentorship, advice and advocacy for UR students. There are a variety of ways this can be done, ranging from attendance at programs to referring candidates for positions within your organization.

Mentoring Options

Mentorship includes giving advice, discussing your career path, answering questions, attending networking events and hosting shadowing opportunities. The emphasis is on giving students more information about your career field and path.

  • Submit an “Alumni Profile”: The Career and Internship Center highlights alumni profiles on our website, allowing students to see career paths and answers to common questions
  • Attend an on- or off-campus networking night: These programs bring current students and alumni together for a night of conversation and advice in a social setting
  • Participate in a “Food for Thought” session: Done in person or via Skype, alumni meet with a small group of students to talk about their career path, employer and advice
  • Conduct “information conversations” on the phone or via email: Students may contact you directly to set up a time to ask questions about your work, career and advice. They may find your information through the Rochester Career Advisory Network, LinkedIn or general internet searches
  • Host Shadowing Opportunities: Students visit your workplace for one or multiple days to get a “sense of the real world” of your work. Host’s information is available to all students through our blog, and set up on an individual basis.
  • Participate in LinkedIn or other online networking platforms: LinkedIn and social networking is becoming a strong tool for mentorship. There are a variety of groups and options.
  • Interact with students through interview preparation sessions: Traditionally set up around our off-campus recruiting events, alumni are a great source of information about specific employers and the interview process. Alumni are contacted directly based on employer’s recruiting activity.

Become a UR Alumni Champion

Alumni champions are active referral agents within their field or organization. This can include hiring students yourself, referring to positions within your company, or connecting the Career and Internship Center with human resources professionals at your employer.

  • On and off campus recruiting: Receive invitations to and information about career fairs, interviewing opportunities and other similar events in Rochester, New York City, Boston, Washington, DC and Los Angeles.
  • Post job and internship openings: Many alumni directly send positions to the Career and Internship Center. Applications can come to you or go to your HR office, and you can determine the level of interactivity you’d like with candidates, ranging from none (just posting the job and sending applicants to a web address or email) to an “Alumni Supported” position (where you include your contact information for questions about the position or employer)
  • Connect us with your company: Identify and regularly update information regarding contact persons in your organization who recruit candidates for internships or entry level jobs
  • Receive resume collections and advocate for UR Candidates: Screen resumes and select qualified candidates to interview for positions or internships with your organization. This can be done via a general industry focused resume collection, or through a specific position listing.

 

If you have questions or are interesting in becoming a mentor or Champion, please email Michelle Marks-Hook, Assistant Director for Alumni and Parent Engagement Programs.