How to mentor a Penn College student

Mentor Carlene Cabot ’92, ’11 meets with physical therapist assistant student Griffin Dunn in the college’s Center for Career Design.

Penn College Magazine Spring 2025, Volume 34, Number 1

by

Provided by the Penn College Center for Career Design

The Wildcat Alumni Career Mentor Program was created to help connect Penn College students and alumni, providing students with opportunities to interact with industry professionals, grow their knowledge of potential career paths, and develop professional networks. 

The program is available through the Center for Career Design, located in the Madigan Library Suite 321. Alumni interested in formally joining the program can contact careerservices@pct.edu. 

However, you don’t have to be a part of this program – or even be an alum – to mentor a current student. Anyone can be a mentor and serve as a role model to someone with similar educational and professional goals.

Set Expectations

  • Work with a student mentee to develop a meeting schedule that works for you both.
  • Be open to answering all types of professional questions.
  • Establish the goals of your student mentee and develop an action plan. 

Consider the variety of needs a current student may have as they prepare to enter the workforce.

Best Practices for Mentors

  • Share your talents, real-word experiences and professional wisdom.
  • Teach and advise a student on how best to make professional connections and contacts.
  • Serve as a resource for career readiness questions.
  • Provide feedback on resumes and cover letters.
  • Help students practice answering interview questions. 

You can go above and beyond in your mentorship approach by engaging in additional professional development practices to help prepare your student mentee to enter the workforce.

Suggested Mentorship Activities

  • Watch the same webinar or LinkedIn Learning video and discuss afterwards.
  • Create a list of potential professional organizations to join and discuss the pros and cons of joining.
  • Have your student mentee job shadow you.
  • Discuss books to read to prepare for the real world.
  • Discuss the soft skills needed in the workplace and how to handle difficult situations.
  • Explore a job-seeking search engine (such as Indeed) together; discuss potential job possibilities and the skills needed for each.
  • Attend campus activities together, such as Etiquette Dinners, Career Fair, etc.
MagazineSpring 2025, Volume 34, Number 1REMOVE

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