The Mentor Program at a Glance

Each year Puget Sound business executives volunteer their time to mentor Seattle University students. From October to June the mentor and a small group of students meet to discuss business issues, career paths, personal concerns and professional experiences. Samples of mentor group activities include presenting true-to-life case studies, inviting students to strategy meetings, providing an overview of a company, arranging meetings with company decision makers, and so on. The time committed is flexible but the groups generally meet every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the year with each group setting its own agenda and goals.

Who Can Participate?

All graduate-level business students and senior undergraduate business students are invited to participate.  It is expected that graduate and undergraduates will be grouped separately.

Student Involvement

As in most endeavors, the more you put into the program, the more you get out. Students are asked, at the outset, to identify their goals and objectives for the program. This is done as a group and the more focused the group, the better the experience. This sometimes involves compromise since group members may have different objectives. In addition to defining learning objectives, students are responsible for making all contacts with the mentor and setting up all meetings. An orientation session may be offered prior to the event.

Since the inception of the Mentor Program in the 1990-91 school year, over 300 business leaders and 1000 students have participated. Numbers alone do not tell the story. Comments from both mentors and students provide insight into the program's success:

"Thanks to her spending the time to get us involved, this has been the most rewarding experience I’ve had as part of the MBA program."

"The students I had were exciting, inquisitive and intelligent - they were fun to be with."

Getting Involved

A list of mentors will be available in mid-September, along with the current date/time of this year's Mentor Fair.  We recommend that you read more information about the mentors to decide which mentors might be most helpful to you for your interests and future goals.

Information on Participating Mentors

Grad Students: Notification about the program will be given out by e-mail through the asbe-grad listserv.  To register for the listserv, click here.

Everyone who wishes to participate in the program should attend the Mentor Fair, which is usually at the beginning of October. On this night you can visit with the mentors and submit your Mentor Selection Form. Refreshments will be provided.

If you cannot attend, please submit a Mentor Selection Form (see below) to the Albers Placement Center at pc-asbe@seattleu.edu or Pigott 331.  Please send this no later than the Friday after the Mentor Fair.  If you are not able to submit your form in time, you will have to wait to join the Mentor Program next fall.

Undergrad Senior Mentor Selection Form - click here
Grad Mentor Selection Form - click here

Approximately two weeks later, by e-mail, you will receive your mentor group assignment and receive the e-mail addresses of the other members of your group for the first time. This allows your group to arrange a meeting at a time convenient for everyone, identify a leader, discuss your group goals and set a preferred meeting time schedule. From that point on it is up to your group and your mentor how you proceed.

As you participate in this program, please keep in mind the Mentor Program is a career builder activity -  it is not a job placement activity. While discussions of your career, various career strategies and concerns, and what it's like to work in various industries are pertinent and appropriate for meetings, your mentor is not expected to provide you a job.

We wish each student and mentor group to have a great experience. If you experience problems with getting the group together or have other concerns, please contact our office as soon as possible.

Newsletter for Mentors and Students