Mentoring Program Links Alumni to Students and Recent Graduates

SIPA’s mentoring program, which links SIPA alumni volunteers to current students and recent graduates, began modestly in 2009 with just 15 mentor-advisee pairs. Now in its seventh year, it has grown to encompass about 600 participants overall.

“The growth is a testament to the strong interest from students and alumni alike,” says Jeffrey Levine MPA ’05, an alumnus who oversees the successful program as co-chair (with Mike Benz MPA ’10) of the SIPA Alumni Association’s careers and mentoring committee. “We’ve seen mentors come back year after year.”

In addition to developing a relationship with an alumnus or alumna in their field of interest, advisees get technical advice on interviewing and résumé-writing along with career guidance to help them envision a career trajectory and manage career transitions.

Donald Rawling MPA ’15, who graduated last year, was matched with an alumni mentor in the energy sector, where he was focusing his job search.

“We spoke about job opportunities, strategies for the job search, and professional development,” Rawling says. “My mentor connected me with some of his contacts and provided me with professional recommendations regarding my résumé and job applications.”

“I would highly recommend signing up for the program,” he said. “Your mentor can be an incredible resource when it comes to networking, searching for job opportunities, or just making a new friend.”

Levine agrees, underscoring  that alumni want to provide advice to students and adding that the mentoring program also provides alumni with an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and goals while giving back to the SIPA community.

Levine, who is a senior financial analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is himself a living example of how the program helps bring alumni back to SIPA. He had not been an active alumnus, he says, but a friend convinced him to take part in the mentoring program. From there he continued to become more engaged each year—progressing from being a mentor to joining the alumni committee and then the executive committee.

“It’s been good to find out what my mentees are trying to achieve, to play a role in their transition from graduate school, and to see them get a job,” Levine said. “It’s also a great way to vicariously reconnect with what is happening on campus at SIPA.”

In past years, there had been a few events per year in New York City and Washington. This year, mentors and mentees can look forward to more events that will bring them together with each other and fellow participants—including career lectures, career panels, and receptions.

The program recently expanded to involve alumni who were interested in engaging with students and recent graduates but unable to commit to attending events or lengthy meetings in person. Since last year, busy alumni have engaged with mentees via email, telephone calls, and brief in-person meetings—allowing more students to have mentors and more alumni to get and stay involved.

“Our goal is to engage as many alumni as possible,” Levine says.

This year, students and recent alumni can apply by October 26 to be part of the mentor program and they will be individually matched with alumni based on their backgrounds and interest.

“If you are matched with a mentor,” Rawling advises, “reach out to them as soon as possible. Introduce yourself and tell them about your background and future career goals. Schedule a time to meet up with your mentor if they are in your area, or set up a phone call.”

Says Levine, “We are always looking for alumni mentors!”

For more information about the mentoring program, contact Susan Storms, Director of Alumni Affairs.

— Kristen Grennan MPA ’16