IABC Student Mentoring Program
Students
By participating in the IABC mentoring program, you will:
- Increase your knowledge of the profession and of professional life.
- Pinpoint personal strengths, areas for improvement, interests and goals to help identify potential courses of study and future job possibilities.
- Gain experience and confidence talking to professionals.
- Establish networking opportunities in your field of interest.
Professionals
By mentoring an IABC student member, you can:
- Give back to the profession and help shape its future.
Share your expertise, have fun and make a difference with only a small time commitment.
- Tap into the hidden job market.
Businesses today struggle to recruit qualified candidates. Mentoring can introduce you to a pool of dedicated and knowledgeable students for your company’s internships and entry-level positions.
- Make more money!
According to CNN.com, participants in office mentoring programs were 20 percent more likely to receive raises and six times more likely to be promoted than employees who did not participate.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
After you submit your application to IABC, we will work to match you with the right mentor/student. Please be aware that this process can take 4–6 weeks. We will let you know when we have identified a good match. It is up to the student to make the initial contact. This helps the student practice “cold calling” and networking right from the start.
We recognize that everyone's time is limited. We ask each student and mentor to agree to a 6-month commitment, during which time you should connect a minimum of 4 times. Ideally you will be able to, and want to, meet even more frequently.
You can connect with on the phone, through e-mail, or face-to-face. Meeting in-person is always preferable. Both student and mentor will feel more comfortable, and dialogues will occur more naturally.
At the end of 6 months, a chapter relations staff member will contact you to see how things are going. At that time, you can choose to continue with the same mentor/student; request to be matched with someone new; or let us know that your term as a mentor/mentoree is complete.
GETTING STARTED
It is important for you to set expectations from the beginning so that both parties know what to expect and can follow through on their commitments. How often will you meet? What are your goals? Are there particular activities you are interested in? What topics do you hope to discuss? Write everything down. Remember: this is not a contract. It’s okay if you don’t follow it exactly. The purpose of the document is to serve as a reference, so you can go back to it for a reminder or inspiration anytime.
Mentors: whenever possible, be constructive. Honest and specific feedback and advice is crucial to helping students improve and get ahead. Students want to learn how they can set themselves apart from the masses when they make the transition to professional life. Help them distinguish and diversify their skill set.
SAMPLE DISCUSSION TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES
Career path
- What skills and abilities do you need to succeed in your job? How did you learn them? What are the practical, “real world” applications of the student’s academic work?
- What was your career path? How do you advance in this profession?
- What is the salary range for your position? What did you make when you first started out?
- How do you assert yourself and get ahead without seeming egotistical or pushy?
- How do you get internships? Do you think they are important? Did you ever have an internship?
Current job
- What do you like about your job? What do you dislike about your job?
- What keeps your job interesting?
- How does your job differ from other communication work? (For example, if you do employee communication, how is your job different than if you were doing external relations?)
- Why did you choose communication as your profession?
- Describe a typical day or week at work.
- Describe an unusual project or one that you particularly enjoyed.
Do an office tour. Offer to let the student shadow you at your job for a day if appropriate. Introduce the student to your coworkers and other people in your professional network. Share your corporate literature with the student if possible.
State of the industry
- How is the economy affecting the communication industry?
- Do you foresee this field transforming in the future? How has it changed since you began your career?
- What are some recent trends and “hot topics” in the industry? What trade publications do you read?
Attend an IABC event together and discuss it afterwards.
Job search and professional life
- How do you network?
- How do you prepare for an interview? What are some interview “no-no’s”?
- What is the purpose of an informational interview? How do they work?
- Discuss professional attire, ethics and etiquette.
Give the student a copy of your résumé and your job description. Critique the student’s résumé. Conduct a mock interview. Help the student develop and practice an “elevator pitch.”
FAQ
Q: What is the program's time commitment?
A: We ask you to agree to connect at least 4 times over a period of 6 months. We encourage you to meet more frequently.
Q: Do I have to meet the student in person or can we talk on the phone?
A: We encourage you to connect in person. Face-to-face meetings are often more comfortable and more productive. However, how you connect is ultimately your choice—on the phone, through e-mail, or face-to-face. If you are willing to have (or would prefer) a “virtual” mentorship, please indicate this on your application.
Q: We are going out to lunch. Who should pay?
A: We suggest going dutch (each party pays their own share). If the mentor wants to pay for the student’s share, that’s okay too.
Q: We are running out of things to talk about. Help!
A: Contact IABC chapter relations staff and we’ll help you identify some next steps.
Q: Your guide says that I should talk about salary, but I don’t feel comfortable with that idea.
A: No problem. This guide offers suggestions only. You should not feel pressured to do anything that doesn’t work for you.
Q: The student is behaving unprofessionally. What should I do?
A: Students may be unfamiliar with professional decorum. Offer constructive criticism and be as specific as possible. Use this moment to help them think about what impression they want to make and to begin to familiarize themselves with business etiquette.
Q: What happens if the student asks me something I can’t answer?
A: Great! This is an easy “excuse” to contact someone else in your professional network who can address the topic, and introduce them to the student.
Q: Am I supposed to offer the student a job?
A: No. Students are informed that the purpose of the mentoring program is not to get a job at the end of 6 months. We don’t mind if you do want to hire the student, but it is not required or expected.
Q: I’ve changed jobs/moved/my level of responsibility at work has changed. I am no longer able to fulfill my 6-month commitment. Who should I contact?
A: We understand that unforeseen circumstances can affect your availability. If you feel you are unable to fulfill your commitment, e-mail
as soon as possible and we will work to find a new mentor for the student. You should also contact the student directly to let them know.
Q: I am a working professional and I am looking for a mentor. Can I apply?
A: This program matches students with professionals. Please contact your local chapter president to inquire about a professional-to-professional mentorship.
STAFF CONTACT
Questions? Need help? Contact:
Janna White
Chapter Relations Manager
+1 415.544.4700
TESTIMONIALS
"My mentor, Felicia Shiu, has been great... truly responsive and helpful. She gave me lots of practical and useful advice based on her extensive experience and network of contacts, and never hesitated to introduce other PR practitioners to me. I feel more confident in my job search now."
Emma Huang
IABC Toronto Student Member: 2007-2008
"My mentor is Bob Vivian, a former college professor from my alma mater, California State University, Chico, and a long time IABC member. Not only was he my faculty advisor, but he was the advisor of the student chapter of IABC. Bob helped me land my very first internship, coached me on public relations strategy & tactics and challenged me to always strive to be the best that I could be. To this day, I still keep in contact with him. Although he has since retired and just recently purchased email service for his home (he didn't want to give up his trusty typewriter), he is a true friend and colleague.”
Heidi P.T. Upton
Senior Communications Specialist at Tiffany & Co.
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