Mentoring program advances student professionalism

The Alumni Career Mentoring program can be a great way for undergraduate students to network with professionals in the working world, according to Stephanie Hollis, a counselor at the student placement center in the UC.Hollis said the program pairs students with UTC alumni who volunteer to provide guidance and mentoring.

"The program is designed to help students who are interested in career exploration," Hollis said. "They can match themselves with an alum who agrees to be a career mentor."

Hollis said there are almost 200 alums from a wide variety of majors since the program started in January 2007.

Hollis said the benefits of the program depend on how much both parties put into it. "Some review resumes or do mock interviews," Hollis said. "Some have volunteered to help students find job shadow opportunities in their organization.

"Whether you're a freshman deciding a major, or a senior looking for a way to network, it's a great tool to use," Hollis said. "It helps [students] in planning for future coursework to make them more marketable for their future career fields."

According to Hollis, the program includes alumni from across the country, including contacts in California, Illinois, New Jersey, Florida and as far as Canada.

Suzanne Bidek, director of recruiting and development at Northwestern Mutual Financial Services, volunteered for the mentoring program after she graduated.

Bidek said she has mentored two UTC students since joining the program.

"I answered questions they had," Bidek said. "I spent at least an hour with both of them."

Bidek said networking with mentors can give students an advantage in finding careers.

"When you get out into the real world it's extremely different," Bidek said. "It's up to you to be thinking ahead and going above and beyond what you're employer wants."

Bidek said she spoke with mentors and did mock job interviews before getting her current job.

"It gave me a leg up because I learned what kind of questions to ask," Bidek said. "I think it made [my employer] realize I was doing my homework."

Timothy Blythe, a senior from Memphis, said he has participated in the mentoring program.

Blythe said he has spoken with mentors from Unum Provident and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

According to Blythe, his experience has been very valuable for networking in Chattanooga.

"Unum, Cigna and Blue Cross are all connected in a way," Blythe said. "People that work at one have often worked at the other companies."

Blythe said he recommended the program for students interested in any field.

"If you're a college student and you're unsure of what you want to do, this is a good way to figure it out," Blythe said. "It takes care of the uncertainty you go through before graduation.

"It's a good way to get your name out there," Blythe said. "A lot of people don't get to talk to companies about entry-level jobs."

Students can register for the program online. For more information, visit http://www.utc.edu/Administration/PlacementAndStudentEmployment/AlumniMentor.php.