[ Center for Professional Excellence ]

Mentoring Program

The Mission of the Center for Professional Excellence Mentoring Program is development of students through self-formation and early professional preparation, the hallmark of The Elmhurst Experience.

Short-term Career Exploration
Not all professions lend to shadowing experiences, such as family counseling or the medical fields, so in those cases a student can be matched with a professional for an informational interview.  It is recommended that the student meet with the professional at their place of business/practice. Prior to the experience students are advised to research the professional’s job on ECconnect.com and come prepared with a list of questions. An Informational Interview Tips Sheet is provided to assist students in their preparation process. 
 
Shadowing is a “day in the life” experience for students in a career that interests them. This is very beneficial to students as they get to actually experience, alongside a professional, what a typical day in that field/profession is like.To gain maximum benefit from their experience, students are encouraged to research their field of interest prior to the experience on ECconnect.com, as well as arrive prepared with a list of questions. It is also helpful for students to “jot down” any impression(s) they currently have of the profession in order to provide a foundation for later reflection. A Shadowing Tips Sheet is also provided to guide them through the process.

Participation is easy, complete a STCE 2009-10 Request Form and either submit it via email, or print and drop it off in the Center for Professional Excellence, Circle Hall. Once the CPE receives your request, a professional will be located for you to shadow or interview in your interest area and you will be sent their contact information. The CPE even contacts the professional first, so they will be expecting to hear from you!  Once you receive the professional’s contact information, call to set up a date and time that is mutually agreeable and attend your information interview or shadowing experience.  It is that easy!

Long-term Professional Preparation
Although a mentoring relationship is often considered a personal relationship, the CPE Mentoring Program provides structure. First professionals and students must complete and return the necessary forms to be included in the program, such as the Professional Profile and Protégé Profile and the Mentor Agreement and Protégé Agreement. Once the necessary forms are completed, participates attend the appropriate orientation workshop, which is provided at no cost (i.e. Protégé Orientation, Mentor Orientation). The orientations help individuals to understand the different types of career exploration, become familiar with program procedures and individual responsibilities, understand and appreciate the importance of establishing the mentoring relationship, and methods for protégé development. To support protégés and mentors, handbooks have been created, i.e.: (Protégé Handbook and Mentor Handbook), that contain all the tools and information necessary for a mutually rewarding and beneficial mentoring relationship.  It is recommended that the mentor and protégé meet in person at least monthly.  The relationship is monitored through Mentor Activity and Protégé Activity reports that are to be completed after each monthly meeting and forwarded to the mentoring coordinator. 

If you have any questions concerning the mentoring initiatives, contact Julie Nearing at jnearing@elmhurst.edu.