Alumni Mentoring Program

Cal State LA Alumni Associaiton

The Alumni Association is proud to provide the Cal State LA Alumni Mentoring Program, which officially launched in Fall 2019.  The mission of the Alumni Mentoring Program is to empower the Cal State LA community through career mentorship between alumni and students.  The program provides alumni-to-alumni networking as well as the opportunity to coach current students and recent graduates on professional development, career options, goal setting, and more.

"It's really a joy for me to work with the students at Cal State LA and to find ways to help them persist because I think everything that you can do to help them succeed will bring enrichment to your own life." Quote from Linda Wah, Class of 1985 and 1989

Alumni have had a tremendous impact on student career success.  The Alumni Mentoring Program provides a space to increase connections where personalized advice, referrals to professional opportunities, and meaningful career conversations can take place based on shared interests and affiliations.  In addition to networking within the Cal State LA Community, as an alum or industry professional you can fulfill the key role of a mentor to students or young alumni who aspire to be where you are.

The Alumni Mentoring Program offers two different components of mentoring that can work with any schedule or level of commitment:

FLASH MENTORING

Flash mentoring is one-time or short-term mentoring.  Instead of a relationship that lasts months, flash mentoring is centered around tactical one-time, in-person or online meetings that provide knowledge or skills when mentees need them.  With this convenient format, mentees can learn from a variety of mentors with expertise in varying subjects.  As an alum, you have the option to specify how frequently you would like to be contacted each month.
 
  • Flash Mentoring is open to:
    • Degreed alumni*
    • Industry professionals*
    • Cal State LA faculty and staff
  • Connect with current students, recent graduates, and other experienced alumni from all fields and majors, both online and in-person.**
  • Perfect for those with busy schedules who are unable to commit to a traditional, long-term mentoring relationship.

TRADITIONAL MENTORING

Please note: The Traditional Mentoring component has been paused for the 2022-23 academic year.

The Traditional Mentoring component pairs qualified students and recent graduates with experienced alumni, industry professionals, or faculty/staff that most closely matches their interests and career goals.  Mentee and mentor work together one-on-one towards a mentee's career goals over a span of two semesters.  Participants are able to join the Traditional Program in addition to the Flash Mentoring component.
 
  • Traditional Mentoring is open to:
    • Degreed alumni*
    • Industry professionals*
    • Cal State LA faculty and staff
  • Must have at least three years of professional industry experience to be a mentor.
  • Share your expertise and provide guidance to current students and recent graduates from any field or major.
  • Work one-on-one with your mentee throughout the duration of the academic year, both online and in-person.
  • Option to work with more than one mentee.
To learn more and register as a mentor, please click the button below.  For additional questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (323) 343-2586.  

LEARN MORE

*Alumni and industry accounts may go through an approval review before platform access is permitted.

This was my first time going through a formal mentorship program and the first meeting calmed my my nerves. Working with my mentor has motivated and inspired me. She's always there to say 'everything will be okay' and we're able to work through anything."

Currently enrolled students and recent graduates have the opportunity to receive expert advice from alumni, industry professionals, and faculty/staff of the University.  As a current student or recent graduate, you are empowered to search for and connect with experienced alumni from any major or industry to facilitate career networking, mentorship, and job shadowing opportunities.  This can range from brief 30-minute conversations to developing long-term mentoring relationships.

The Alumni Mentoring Program offers two different components of mentoring that can work with any schedule or level of commitment:

FLASH MENTORING

Have a question about a certain company or industry?  Need someone to review your resume or graduate school application?  Flash Mentoring is for you!  Flash Mentoring is one-time or short-term mentoring and is perfect for individuals who may not have the time to commit to a long-term mentoring relationship.  As a student or recent graduate, you have the option to connect with as many alumni as you'd like with any career-related questions you may have.
 
  • Flash Mentoring is open to:
    • All currently enrolled Cal State LA students
    • Recent graduates (Classes of 2019 - 2022)
  • Select and connect with experienced alumni and industry professionals from all fields and majors, both online and in-person.
  • Perfect for those with busy schedules who are unable to commit to a traditional, long-term mentoring relationship.

TRADITIONAL MENTORING

Please note: The Traditional Mentoring component has been paused for the 2022-23 academic year.

Your alumni mentor is here to support you in your professional development over two semesters.  The Traditional Mentoring component pairs qualified students and recent graduates with experienced alumni, industry professionals, or faculty/staff that most closely matches their interests and career goals.  Mentee and mentor work together one-on-one towards a mentee's career goals throughout the academic year.  Participants are able to join the Traditional Program in addition to the Flash Mentoring component.
 
  • Traditional Mentoring is open to:
    • Undergraduate students with sophomore standing and above (at least 30 units completed) and minimum 2.5 GPA.
    • Graduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Recent graduates (Classes of 2020-2023)
  • Select and connect with an experienced alum or industry professional from any field or major.
  • Work one-on-one with your chosen alumni mentor throughout the duration of the academic year, both online and in-person.
  • Access to additional online resources to assist with career exploration and professional development.

To learn more and register as a mentee, please click the button below.  For additional questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (323) 343-2586.  

LEARN MORE