How have you communicated with your mentor/mentee since being paired together?

"Glo and I primarily communicate via FaceTime. However, we text and email in between for questions, encouragement, and setting up our FaceTime chats." - Melina

What did your first conversation together look like? What topics did you talk about? Was it more building rapport or Student Glo Koniecznystraight to the point internship/job search advice?

"The first conversation was over email to set things up and the first real one was over FaceTime, it was mostly getting to know one another and discussing what we wanted out of the relationship with some discussion on internships and being in the program. Once she even set up a whole mock interview with some individuals she worked with to give me more practice! It was so helpful." - Glo

How has your relationship evolved since your first conversation?

"After our first conversation, we emailed back and forth to get to know one another on a more personal level. Our FaceTime chats have been an opportunity to discuss where Glo is at in the CSP program and in preparation for her internship/job search. The last time we connected, two of my colleagues and I facilitated a mock interview for Glo. We provided her with feedback so that she can feel confident when interviewing for summer internships. She already did a great job, but the more practice, the better!" - Melina

Where do you see your relationship going in the future?

"I definitely see our friendship growing in the future. Using her as a resource for job searching and someone to lean on as I finish the program!" - Glo

"I can see us continuing to stay in touch. Glo and I are both alumni of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and, eventually, Western Illinois University. When Glo talks about what she is doing in her assistantship, I understand, because I was also the graduate assistant for the University Union Board. It is nice to connect with someone who is walking a similar path, and I hope that I can continue to be a resource for a fellow student affairs professional." -Melina

Learn more about being a career coach to a current CSP student!

How have you communicated with your mentor/mentee since being paired together?

"We've mixed it up based on needs. We talk on the phone around every 2-3 weeks and between those chats, we text and email as needed. I let my mentee know that I'm always here, so she could feel free to let me know what she needed when! Our communication became more frequent as the job search process went on since we had more to talk about." - Brook

What did your first conversation together look like? What topics did you talk about? Was it more building rapport or Student Hayley Remmelstraight to the point internship/job search advice?

"I was so excited about our first conversation! I enjoy talking with CSP alumni as I am able to use lingo associated with the program. During our FaceTime, we shared hobbies, interests inside and outside of student affairs, talked about our experiences, and my goals and outcomes I was hoping for from our relationship." - Hayley

How has your relationship evolved since your first conversation?

"Since then, we still start our chats with a general "What's going on, what have we been up to, etc." I'd say we spend about 15 minutes at the beginning of our talks not related to the job search process. As an alumni, I enjoy this time just hearing about what is going on at WIU/CSP and to hear from a current student in the program. It also makes it seem much less business like, which I appreciate! We then spend some time talking about whatever is going on in her job search process and advice/words of encouragement she may need from me." - Brook

Where do you see your relationship going in the future?

"I see our relationship continuing past the Job Search Alumni Mentoring Program. Even though we have not met face to face person, if the opportunity presented itself for us to meet in person, I would hop on that right away! I hope that I can continue to use Brook as a resource moving into the field as a entry level professional." - Hayley

"Well, hopefully this matches my mentees answer (if not, awkward...), but I would love to keep being a mentor as long as she wants me to be! I definitely don't see our relationship ending just because she graduates from the program and has her first job. I think we're building a good relationship that can be beneficial past the job search process, especially during the first year or two of professional world! I know during my first couple years out of grad school, I relied heavily on friends who had been in the field longer than me for advice and ideas, and I would love to be one of those people for my mentee!" - Brook