In just five years, Business Week’s Mentor Program has tripled in size. Given the record-breaking number of mentor applications, this year is on track to surpass that number.
Mentor Program Coordinators Brett Gilbert, a junior entrepreneurship and human resources double major, and Allie Bray, a senior marketing major, indicated that the tremendous growth is due in part to a sizable freshman class. But they say the key factor is that students are realizing the benefits of a relationship between a freshman and an upperclassman.
“You have a resource to reach out to regarding questions about school, work, life—post-college as well,” said Gilbert, who remains in contact with his mentor-turned-friend from freshman year.
“You have a resource to reach out to regarding questions about school, work, life—post-college as well.”
One of the original facilitators of the program, Eric Hoss, MBA ’90, states that this kind of advice is precisely why it was established.
“Freshmen need to prepare for the job they want as a senior while they are still a freshman,” said Hoss. “Thus came the Mentor Program.”
Along with fellow State Farm employee Tim Pantaleone ’07, Hoss offers advice to the mentors and mentees from a business standpoint.
Mentors and mentees go through a training class to learn the most effective ways to take advantage of their relationship.
The students’ leadership and work-related training development does not end there.
“The end of the year is a recap on what we do to make this better, which occurs in the business world,” Pantaleone said.
Together, Hoss and Pantaleone hold a series of meetings with the coordinators to run through goals and changes to improve the program.
Hoss concluded that he has “a real passion for ISU students to get jobs. I look at what’s going on in the business industry and tweak the program to stay relevant.” With this sentiment at the forefront, the Mentor Program continues to grow and to achieve, as do its mentors and mentees.
The Business Week Team is taking mentee applications for the Business Week 2016 Mentor Program from November 3–20.
