Alumni mentorship program
Partnership with LSU New Orleans's Office of Career Services
Program Overview
LSU New Orleans Alumni Association mentorship program was designed to support the need for student mentoring and to satisfy the desire of alumni to connect and give back to our current students. Our program is run through the LSU New Orleans MATRIX, our online platform designed to facilitate connecting and networking among all Privateers and to provide professional resources for job searches and career advancement.
The Office of Alumni Affairs will match, monitor, and support the mentor/mentee relationships. The first step to becoming a mentor is to join LSU New Orleans MATRIX and select the mentoring programs you wish to participate in.
> Your preferences can be updated anytime by accessing your profile settings.
Before each semester, the Office of Alumni Affairs will send out an email asking interested alumni to confirm participation for the upcoming session. Once the new semester begins you will receive notification of your match via email.
> Please verify that your email address is current on LSU New Orleans MATRIX.
All participants will sign participation agreements and receive mentor/mentee guides and a timeline to assist in developing the goals and relationship for the mentor/ mentee pairing. The mentor/mentee will decide when, where, and how often they want to meet, write, or talk with respect to the timeline established by the Office of Alumni Affairs.
> Given the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Office Alumni Relations suggests you utilize the Video Chat feature housed on LSU New Orleans MATRIX platform for your scheduled meetings.
For the Spring 2021 semester, the program will begin January 11th and will run for 12 weeks ending on March 29, 2021. Alumni and students will receive email notifications about their match and links to all documents and forms needed to begin the mentor/mentee relationship.
There will be three check-in points throughout the semester when we ask you to review your mentor/mentee relationship: upon initial discussion, midway through the program, and at the end of the 12 weeks. We will provide worksheets to offer some guidance and important aspects to consider and discuss at each stage.
Mentor/mentee relationships will end each semester unless you request to continue your current pairing.
Beginning: The Partnership Agreement
The partnership agreement is designed to assist the mentor/mentees with initial conversations on setting appropriate goals and establishing preferred frequency and method of communication.
GETTING STARTED GUIDE -MENTOR GETTING STARTED GUIDE - MENTEe
Middle: The Mid-Cycle Check-In
This guide will help facilitate a discussion about the progress students are making towards their goals and if any changes should occur.
You will receive an email survey mid-cycle to give us feedback and information on the amount of time you have met, the areas of focus, and to check off any program milestones you have reached.
End: Closure Plan
Ending a mentoring relationship does not need to feel awkward or like a break-up. The Closure Plan helps to evaluate outcomes for student goals, as well as end the relationship in the same way a regular class or program ends each semester. It guides a discussion that will allow the mentor to give the mentee feedback and takeaways to work on independently.
CLOSING SURVEY - MENTOR CLOSING SURVEY - MENTEe
Students greatly benefit from the wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience that our many accomplished alumni possess. Alumni get personal satisfaction giving back to our current students. There is a tremendous feeling of pride and accomplishment when you can help someone navigate their way from college into the professional workforce, knowing that you've played a role in helping them achieve long-term success.