1. You will learn what it’s really like to work in a specific career field or for a particular company. You can (and should) research online to understand what a typical day for a high school teacher is like or what it would feel like to spend 12 hours a day working at a top law firm; however, speaking with someone who has that job or works for that company is the best way to get the real scoop on a career field and to determine whether or not you would enjoy it.
2. Learn what it takes to be a success. Having a mentor allows you to hear the personal stories of how people succeeded in the exact career field that you are hoping to enter. These stories allow you to move beyond the generic “Desired Qualifications” listed on job descriptions and see what skills it really takes to be a success in a specific field.
3. It really works. As mentioned before, mentoring is NOT about asking for a job or internship. However, many opportunities are filled by candidates who heard about positions from “word of mouth” – not a job board. So the more you network, the more likely you will benefit from these “word of mouth” opportunities.

Searching the site, you may use several criteria including:

• Departmental Major
• Professional/Graduate Degree
• Geographic location
• Career field

After identifying those people you would like to contact, the next step is reaching out to them. Please note the individual’s preferred method of contact. Do not call someone who prefers contact via e-mail!

• Follow up on all leads and contacts. If your original contact referred you to someone else or another resource, make sure to follow up on those leads quickly. It is important to show your original contact that you value his or her advice by acting on it promptly.
• Keep in touch with contacts. Make sure to keep in touch with your networking contacts even after the initial conversation – let them know how the suggestions and leads they provided work out for you. Give your contacts updates as your job or internship search progresses – networking contacts are sincerely interested in what happens to you and your career.
• Say “Thank you!” It is important to thank each alumnus/a who has assisted you in any way. Be sure to send a thank-you e-mail/card shortly after your initial contact.

Conclusion: Please be respectful of the information provided on this site and of the privacy of those individuals who have agreed to provide you with their time and guidance.

In the case that the College hears any report of misuse of the system by a student or alumnus/a, that individual will instantly be denied access to the Online Community and the BAM Network.

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