Mentor giving advice to mentee.

Accelerate Students' Careers!

Welcome to USG's Mentoring Program, where you design your own mentor experience. Lend your passion and expertise while guiding students through educational and professional exploration. Connect with students in a way that fits your schedule and the level of involvement you want. 

 BECOME A MENTOR

Benefits & Rewards of Being a Mentor:

  • Share your professional experiences and insights.
  • Expand your own professional network and connect with the USG Community.
  • Discover talent that you could bring into your company or organization.
  • Feel a sense of achievement and satisfaction from contributing to the success of future and current students at USG (If they see it, they can be it).
  • Refine your interpersonal and leadership skills.
  • Shape and influence future talent.

Mentor Expectations:

  • Be open and honest with your communication.
  • Keep strict confidentiality. The relationship must be built on trust. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact the Program Manager or emergency personnel.
  • Be sensitive to your mentee's circumstances, issues, or questions.
  • Follow through on your commitments.
  • Be engaged. Give your mentee your full attention.
  • Guide, do not lead. You are amazing but so is your mentee - show them how to shine.
  • Be trustworthy. Again, a strong mentor-mentee relationship is built on trust.
Mentoring Options

You can sign up for one, two, or all of the options below. Design your own mentor experience that will bring your best to USG students.

Traditional Mentoring

  • Meet with your mentee for at least three, one-hour sessions a semester on professional and personal development.

Career Insight Session (Flash Mentoring)

  • An hour session on informational interviews, mock interviews, general career consultation, or guidance on building their network.

Mentor Circles

  • Be a subject-matter expert on career-ready topics in an hour seminar setting. 
Mentoring Program Materials, Documents and Resources

The following documents and materials are available to get you started:

  • Mentor Handbook
  • Myths About Mentoring
  • Start the Conversation
  • Rebekah's Learning Library
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Mentorship Agreement (Traditional Mentoring only)
  • Meeting Notes Template
  • Career Competency Self-Assessment - Students can use this as a starting point for the mentoring relationship.
  • SMART Goals Setting Guide 
  • Career Exploration Guide
  • Hire U - Overview of Hire U at USG and the core competencies associated with workplace success today.

Contact Rebekah Taravella at rtaravel@umd.edu for more information.

Mentor Training Video

Coming Soon!

CONTACT
Rebekah Taravella
Mentoring Program Manager
(301) 738-6306
It's a meaningful way to give back while helping students navigate their academic and professional paths. The structure is flexible, and the relationships built through the program are genuinely rewarding. I've really enjoyed mentoring my mentee, L., over multiple semesters - it's been incredibly fulfilling to watch her grow and to build a stronger, more trusting relationship over time. We've learned so much from each other along the way.
Stefanie W.