Jordan Fierst, second from right, with fellow Roosevelt students on a private tour of Soldier Field.
One of the best student-support services offered at Roosevelt University is the Professional Mentoring Program where Roosevelt students are matched with a professional currently working in their field of interest in the greater Chicago area. After my first year in the Professional Mentoring Program at Roosevelt, I could not be more appreciative of my experience within this program and I encourage all Roosevelt students to consider joining this program for the five reasons I list below.
1. It forces you to step outside of your comfort zone (an essential tool moving forward in the professional world) and eventually feel comfortable doing so!
Upon applying for the Professional Mentoring Program and soon after finding out I was matched with a mentor, I remember feeling excited. However, that excitement soon morphed into nervousness when I realized I would have to actually meet this person and form a professional relationship with him over the course of the year. As someone who is very shy, I thought: What am I going to say to him? How do I act around someone I admire and whose experience is so impressive that it is somewhat intimidating to me as a college student? But after our first meeting for coffee, I realized that my mentor was a person, just like me. We had a great conversation and my mentor truly took the time to listen to what I had to say. Had I not had the courage to step outside of my comfort zone when I first applied for the program, the unrivaled skills and experiences I gained from my involvement in the program would never have happened.
2. Through hands-on learning and experience, you are able to learn about the diverse array of professional opportunities available to you upon graduation.
After getting over the fear of meeting my mentor for the first time, we were able to come up with a list of goals for the year. One of the main goals we discussed was the opportunity for me to learn more about potential jobs I could hold once I graduated from Roosevelt with my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Sustainability Studies. Since the Professional Mentoring Program matches you with a mentor whose experience matches what you hope to do, this goal was easily met over the course of the year. My mentor is the Director of Strategy and Sustainability at the Chicago Park District, so I was able to attend numerous sustainability meetings at Chicago’s City Hall as well as receive a private tour of Soldier Field to learn about the sustainable initiatives taking place there. Having the opportunity to attend these meetings reaffirmed my decision to become a Sustainability Studies double major earlier this year. Hearing about environmental and sustainable issues throughout the city from a diverse array of organizations, truly opened up my eyes to all the routes my double major could take me to after graduation. Had I not attended a City Hall meeting focused on the accessibility and safety of bike routes throughout Chicago, I may never have found out that I was genuinely interested in making the city more accessible to bikers through the development of new bike routes. These experiential learning opportunities truly aided me in delving more into what post-graduation life might look like for me.
3. Membership in the Professional Mentoring Program will help you expand your professional network and connect you with professionals you may not have had an opportunity to meet.
Perhaps one of the biggest assets of being matched with a mentor through Roosevelt’s Professional Mentoring Program is all of the people your mentor will be able to connect you with. Before and after the meetings at City Hall, my mentor always introduced me to his colleagues. My mentor went out of his way to make sure I met these professionals and provided me with the space to engage them in conversation and to ask them questions. And not only that, but when I told my mentor I was thinking about going to law school after graduating from Roosevelt, he put me in touch with a colleague who recently graduated from law school and who also happens to be the Director of Operations at Soldier Field. Establishing these connections before I graduate is crucial, as they may help me when I start applying for jobs and law school after I graduate.
4. Your mentor will provide you with a new perspective and truly cares about you and wants to help you succeed in any way.
In addition to the many wonderful services provided by Roosevelt’s Career Development Center, a professional mentor can also provide resume and interview advice and can discuss career options. My mentor’s perspective has given me a new outlook on my own future, and the professional relationship with my mentor is one I anticipate will extend beyond graduation. It is so great to have someone who supports me in my professional endeavors and who is willing to guide me towards success.
5. This is a relatively small commitment with a massive reward.
The Professional Mentoring Program at Roosevelt is very flexible and understanding of a student’s busy schedule during the academic year. In order to be a student mentee, you are expected to meet with your mentor for just an hour every month. As someone who is president of two clubs on campus, a member of the women’s basketball team, and who works during the school year, I promise you that this is doable. And it is so worth it! This experience has opened so many doors for me and is, in my opinion, one of the most worthwhile opportunities offered to Roosevelt students. Professionally, I’ve grown to feel more comfortable embarking on post-graduation life because I have had these experiences and have formed these connections through the Professional Mentoring Program.
Roosevelt students may apply for the Professional Mentoring Program by September 13. For more information, contact Kristy Kotek, Director of Professional Mentoring, at kkotek@roosevelt.edu.
By: Jordan Fierst