FAQ

Mentoring, in the context of AMP, is the development of a voluntary, long-term, one-on-one relationship between a student and alumnus/a. The relationship is characterized by:

* Respect and a conscious effort toward personal growth

* Mutual exchange

*Interpersonal support

Whereas networking is about developing professional contacts to tap for informational interviews and job leads, mentoring is about an alumnus/a and student developing a close-knit, long-term relationship covering all aspects of career development.

AMP is unique in that it focuses on creating more long-term mentoring relationships between students and alumni. While the career center is an excellent resource for one-time informational interviewing/networking and career advice, AMP strives to provide students with personal, long-term alumni support for both career and personal interests.

Alumni: You can participate in AMP by clicking the "BECOME A MENTOR" button on the sidebar of this website. Fill out and submit our online mentoring information form. You will receive an e-mail with your username, password, and instructions and then you can build your profile.

Students: Visit www.portland.experience.com and login. Once you have logged in click on the Mentor tab and you can begin your search.

After students enter their mentor preferences (industry, personal interests, location, etc.), the software's matching engine presents students with a list of alumni sorted according to how closely the alumnus/a matches the students' criteria. Students can then request a potential mentor from this list, who then has the opportunity to confirm the match.

Activities are determined by mutual agreement between the alumni mentor and the student mentee. They can include anything from helping to look over a resume to providing insights on how to maintain a good work-life balance. AMP is designed as a resource for helping similar-minded students and alumni to find each other. The actual nature of the mentoring relationship, however, will be up to students and alumni to determine and develop individually.

After alumni and students are matched, AMP will provide an extensive tips sheet for both parties to assist them in making the most of their relationship. For instance, AMP will provide tips on how to initiate and foster the mentoring relationship. In addition, AMP will also send out email reminders to make sure that both parties are in touch. Above all, alumni and students should mutually determine what kind of mentoring relationship they would like to develop, and take concrete steps towards creating a meaningful relationship.

Time commitment is very flexible and can range from a few hours per month to several hours per week, depending on the preferences of both the mentee and the mentor. It is up to the student and the mentor to decide together what works best for them.

AMP's goal is to develop relationships between mentors and mentees. It is between the mentor and the student mentee on how long the mentorship will be.

AMP hopes to develop long-term mentoring relationships between students and alumni. To allow you to concentrate and make the most of your mentoring experience, we allow mentees to be matched with five mentors per month.

Any relationship takes time and effort to develop. We strongly encourage a mentor and mentee to make a consistent and sincere effort to get to know each other. However, we also understand that a particular pairing may not be the best fit and that students may develop new academic and career interests that require them to seek a different mentor. If you wish to end the mentoring pair please notify the AMP team so that we can suggest possible solutions and, if necessary, discontinue the relationship.

Contact the PSU Alumni Mentor Program: alumment@pdx.edu

Be sure to provide your name, phone number and your preferred e-mail address.