UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Meghan Stouter, a junior in labor and employment relations, was nervous when she filled out her application for the Alumni Mentor Program sponsored by the Career Enrichment Network in the College of the Liberal Arts at Penn State. But at the introductory luncheon, she clicked immediately with mentor Lynn Flayhart, a liberal arts and counseling graduate, and current consultant in the Washington, D.C., area.

''I could tell that she was just as enthused to be a mentor as I was to be a mentee,'' she said. ''Lynn truly has a vested interest in what I am doing here at school, as well as what I plan to do in my future. I have turned to her for loads of advice ranging from what classes I should schedule to how to make my resume more competitive. She has so much knowledge and experience that she graciously shares with me, and I really value her advice.''

The Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program is a valuable resource for students in the College of the Liberal Arts who are interested in connecting with Penn State alumni. As of this fall semester, there are more than 300 pairs of alumni and students working together, and talking and sharing information in person or electronically. Each student in the program is matched with an alumnus or alumna who helps with a range of career preparation subjects: resume review, internship and career exploration, job shadowing, interview preparation, skills assessment, networking and career advice.

The program is designed for all students enrolled in the College of the Liberal Arts. Students are required to have completed at least one semester of college before applying. Applications for spring 2015 are due on Dec. 15. To be eligible for the program, students must have at least one major in the Liberal Arts, create a Network Simplicity account, complete an application and complete an online orientation session.

What does a mentor do? That depends on what the student wants from the mentor relationship. Heather Baruch-Bueter, the student and alumni relations coordinator in the Career Enrichment Network, said, ''Having a mentor allows students to hear from someone who has been in their shoes and might work in a field in which they are interested. Mentors help students work toward their goals and achieve them. ''

Students should be open-minded and authentic on their application. ''If students are not sure about their goals, they can say that,'' said Baruch-Bueter. ''We have many mentors who enjoy helping students think about what they might want to do during college and after graduation.''

How to apply and succeed

As part of the application process, students are required to complete an online orientation session, where they learn about the responsibilities and expectations of being in the program and how to effectively communicate with their mentor. Students receive a handbook, which has sample emails, communication tips, networking strategies and other tools to help enhance their rapport with their mentor, as well as tips and suggestions for networking and internship and job searching. Once a student is matched with a mentor, they are introduced formally via email.

In order to form a good relationship with their mentor, it is crucial for mentees to communicate effectively. Baruch-Bueter advises that mentees speak to their mentors at least twice a month, but most students in the program connect more often. Monthly emails are also sent to students and mentors in the program to keep the mentors and mentees on track and to make sure things are going smoothly. The more effectively students communicate with their mentors, the stronger their relationship will be and the more students will get out of the program. 

Ensuring student success

Although the program is geared for juniors and seniors, freshmen and sophomores can benefit from the mentor program and discuss career goals and resume building with an alumnus.

Jordan Klavans, a junior majoring in economics and political science, applied to the program as a second-semester freshman after hearing about positive experiences from juniors and seniors. His mentor lives near the University Park campus, enabling them to meet in person regularly. 

Klavans said, "Mentors are extremely beneficial because they work for you. A mentor is there for whatever reason you need them whether it is finding an internship, pursuing a career, practicing for an interview or networking. They strive to set you up for success after college."

In another example, Kelsey Patterson, a senior majoring in English and Spanish, and her mentor were matched during Patterson’s spring semester of her sophomore year. A huge part of Patterson’s relationship with her mentor is discussing how to best market her English degree.

''We mostly talk via email about how I can best present and prepare myself for finding an internship, along with how to use technology to aid me in this search,'' she said. 

Patterson reinforces the idea that students must create a rapport with their mentors to get the most out of the program. "As you build a relationship, your mentor is able to give you much more specific help. Taking part in the mentor program can only put a student at an advantage, whether by giving them insight into a field they are interested in or connecting them with someone who they can ask even the stupidest questions and still get a good response,'' she said.

Patterson added, “These mentors want to help and they want to hear about what is happening in their student’s life. Even the mentors who sit at the top of their fields after years of working can still remember what it's like being a student, and they will want to ease the process through graduation as much as possible."

Many students continue their mentor relationship after graduation and well into their careers. Indeed, the program has potential for creating lifelong mentor relationships and networking opportunities. Whether a student knows exactly what they want to do with their liberal arts degree or if they are looking for advice from a professional in their major, the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program creates a support network for students who are striving to reach their career goals.

As Stouter noted, "I think the program is an excellent way to network and build relationships, which can play a huge role in finding an internship or a career. I am really glad I decided to apply for the program, and it has been an absolute pleasure talking with and learning from my mentor, Lynn."