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Get Better Prepared for Employment by Joining a Mentoring Program

Cecile Peterkin -- While hard work and determination are key to career success, getting the necessary help is also beneficial. Here's how you can make sure that you are following the right career pathways and increase your chances for a successful job search.

Mentoring is an excellent extracurricular opportunity that many colleges and universities are now offering both current and incoming students. Joining a mentoring program is also seen as an effective means for students to meet alumni to gain more knowledge, support, and even networking opportunities. This is why college students are encouraged to have a mentor as they start preparing for employment.

Below are some of the long term benefits that schools get from offering mentoring programs, which students should also be aware of and take advantage of.

Increased job placement rates

College students are often the ones who suffer a great deal when the economy struggles. What many colleges and universities are doing to prevent this is develop their students, and even their alumni, by offering mentoring programs.

Through mentoring programs, a student’s networks are enhanced, and this can help them significantly with their job search. Also, by giving students appropriate mentors in their field, students form a deeper understanding of what career path they should pursue and how they can get to it. Students are also lucky enough to receive advice on how to create a powerful resume and cover letter.

More alumni involvement

Being offered to become mentors to younger people is an opportunity that most alumni cannot pass up. In most cases, these alumni have spent several years in their respective fields, which means that they have vast experience to share with their mentees. College students who are about to graduate don’t have the experience that could teach them what to do and what not to do when it comes to planning their careers and getting a decent job.

Students can definitely learn a lot from a mentor, especially if he or she has a career in a field that a student also wishes to be successful in. Mentors can share useful tips for job hunting, for instance. Of course, they have already been through the process of hunting for a job, so they know what could possibly hinder a graduate from getting a good job.

Better college experience for students

Mentoring programs allow students and alumni to work together to reach a goal. It is through this kind of connection that alumni and students are able to create a culture that is engaged and rewarding. Also, these programs make sure that students receive all kinds of support needed to excel as students and professionals in the future. And, aside from making a student’s college life more purposeful, mentoring also helps students transition from being unemployed to becoming fully employed.

Conclusion

You go to college and get a degree so that you may be well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in your chosen field. While hard work and determination are key to success, getting the necessary help would also be beneficial. Thus, to make sure that you are following the right career pathways and to increase your chances for a successful job search, joining a mentoring program is what you should seriously consider doing.

Cecile Peterkin is a certified career and retirement coach, and a registered member of the Career Professionals of Canada and the International Coach Federation. She is also the Founder and Senior Career Strategist at Cosmic Coaching Center, provider of career and life management services for middle managers and mid-career professionals across Canada, United States and Europe..

© 2014 Cecile Peterkin

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The views and opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect those of College Central Network, Inc. or its affiliates. Reference to any company, organization, product, or service does not constitute endorsement by College Central Network, Inc., its affiliates or associated companies. The information provided is not intended to replace the advice or guidance of your legal, financial, or medical professional.