In an effort to broaden Michigan State’s national reach and foster the experiences and networks of students and alumni alike, I would like to reach out to you requesting your participation.  For the past several months, members of the MSU Alumni Club of Metro Chicago have been working conjointly with MSU Career Services in an attempt to perpetuate the growing relationships between students and alumni as well as the alumni body as a whole.  The intent of this email is to unveil an MSU initiative and capture feedback and participation from our Chicago MSU alumni community.
 
First I would like to disclose to you the Chicago MSUAA Mentor Program:
 
With continued growth of MSU students interning and finding careers in Chicago, we would like to offer MSU alumni the opportunity to help students network and acclimate to their new surroundings.  Students and alumni mentors alike will be invited to special events (e.g., city tours, ball games, mixers, bowling, and free Chicago events) where mentors will help interns connect with MSU alumni and MSU-related summer events in the city.  MSU students will be interning at a business, non-profit entity or governmental agency in Chicago this summer. 

Please refer to the MSUAA Mentor Program description attached herein for full disclosure.

So far we have over a dozen students who will be interning in Chicago this summer and are seeking a mentor relationship.  The Young Alumni of the MSUAA will be hosting a mixer Thursday, June 26th at English from 5:30 to 7:30 where mentors and interns will meet.  After pairings have been established, both mentor and intern can look forward to experiencing other rewarding MSU events throughout the summer.  Please note that you do not have to be a “Young Alumni” member to be a mentor.
 
If you would like to participate as a mentor this summer and leave a legacy, please respond with your name and contact information, profession, and major(s).
 
If you know of any MSU students interning in Chicago that would be interested in this program, please feel free to forward their information as well.
 
For further questions, please contact Jesse Graff at the below correspondence.
 
Thank you for your ongoing support and GO GREEN!
 
 
Jesse Graff
youngalumni@chicagospartans.com (Please type, “Mentorship Program” in the heading title)
Mobile:  312.363.8483
 

Chicago MSUAA Mentor Program

The MSUAA Chicago Mentor Program helps current MSU students combine their outstanding academic experience with exposure to disciplines/alumni in the real world. The MSUAA Chicago Mentor Program offers students the opportunity to learn about the way their disciplines are practiced today under the guidance of alumni in their fields of interest. The program's success is grounded in the close collaboration between MSUAA and Chicago alumni in the various fields of expertise. This partnership is based on mutual interest developing the talents and abilities of our current MSU students. All the students participating are from MSU and are interning in Chicago this summer. Young Alumni representatives from the MSU Alumni Club of Metropolitan Chicago are spearheading this program in conjunction with Michigan State University Alumni Association (MSUAA)…this program will be intertwined with a series of networking events in Chicago for the interns that will launch in June.

Mentor Information

MSUAA Chicago Mentor Program at a glance

As students define their career interests at MSU, they are better prepared to benefit from an ongoing mentoring relationship with MSU alumni. Students participating in the MSUAA Chicago Mentor Program are matched with mentors whose backgrounds and experiences align with the students’ interests and goals. Generally, each mentor is matched with one student. The form and frequency of the interactions between students and the mentors vary, but, at a minimum, contact should be made three or four times over the course of the summer.

Mentor Program Timeline

June: Students are connected to mentors at the first networking event (Thursday, June 19th at English )set up through YA in Chicago; participate in mentor briefing. Students initiate contact with mentors
June-August: Mentors and interns connect

This summer-long program is designed to help students:

• Develop a coaching relationship with a seasoned professional who can share advice and guidance
• Improve networking skills
• Gain knowledge and insight into their disciplines
• Learn how to advance their careers
• Seek advice for how to excel in the job search
• Learn more about Chicago and resident alumni   

Evaluations of student-mentor relationship will be made at the end of the summer to aid in positive collaboration between future students and alumni.

Expectations
The following reflects what is expected from students and mentors who participate in the MSUAA Chicago mentor program:

Students will:

• Initiate dialogue with their mentor and maintain contact throughout out the summer
• Discuss future communication and set schedule with mentor
• Be professional and not miss pre-arranged meetings
• Participate in program evaluation activities
• Not ask their mentor for a job
• Discuss areas of professional interest, strategies for a job search, setting goals, progress in job search, networking

Mentors will:

• Help their student as much as possible – be a local connection to learn more about Chicago
• Participate in program evaluation activities
• Act in an advisory capacity…they will not be expected to hire their student or place them in a job
• Discuss resume and application advice, do’s and don’ts of the job search, personal experiences, contacts that might be useful in a job search
• Offer advice on maximizing the student’s internship experience

Mentoring Benefits

• Mentors meet current and future MSU alumni at networking events
• Mentors offer invaluable insight into a student’s career path and provide an inside view of professional industries
• Alumni connect with bright, engaging MSU students facing difficult challenges
• Students will become familiar with Chicago and the alumni network already in place in the area
• Students can make better career choices and transition smoothly into the real world upon graduation 
• Mentors have the unique opportunity to impart wisdom upon future MSU leaders and leave a legacy

Ingredients of a Successful Mentoring Experience

Find out about the students. Request resumes, biographies or anything you feel will give you a sense of the student with whom you will be meeting.
Share your personal stories. Students are deeply interested in you and your career, not just your company and your industry. Let them know about your struggles and successes.
Tell them how their MSU education can help them. How are MSU graduates employed in your company and industry? What career paths are available? Share what you know.
Be flexible. Offer to meet on-site or for coffee or talk on the phone or through e-mail to offer students advice.

Mentor Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the mentors participating in the program?
A: The mentors are MSU alumni in Chicago, representing diverse functions, companies and industries.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: As a MSUAA Chicago mentor, your time commitment to this program can vary widely. However, students are warned not to monopolize too much of your time. Generally you will be in contact with your mentee a minimum 3 to 4 times throughout the summer.
Q: What if the mentor match does not prove to be a good match in terms of personality or career interest?
A: In rare cases where students and mentors are not compatible, meetings may be terminated after a couple of sessions.
Q: When will I hear from my mentee?
A: Students will be matched with mentors at a networking event in Chicago in June. You should hear from them shortly after. If you do not, or you have any questions, please contact Jesse Graff
Q: I have more questions!
A: Please contact Jesse Graff
youngalumni@chicagospartans.com (Please type, “Mentorship Program” in the heading title)
(312) 363-8483