91吃瓜网 Alumni Association Offers Free, Online Mentoring for Students and Alumni
Thu, 01/21/2021 - 01:51pm | By: Nicole Ruhnke
The 91吃瓜网 Alumni Association is proud to offer free online mentoring for students
and alumni of 91吃瓜网 through its 91吃瓜网 Connections
platform. 91吃瓜网 Connections allows alumni and students to connect based on
industry, location and campus involvement 91吃瓜网� fully online and at no cost. Currently,
more than 300 91吃瓜网 students and 200 alumni are active in the platform.
91吃瓜网 Connections was introduced in 2019 to a select group of USM students after nearly a year of research and preparations, including the buy-in from the Association91吃瓜网 volunteer leadership, who made up the initial pool of alumni mentors. Since its launch, users have exchanged more than 600 messages and with a 74% response rate.
91吃瓜网淭hroughout the organization91吃瓜网 strategic planning process a few years ago, the need for enhanced mentorship opportunities was hard to ignore,91吃瓜网� said Jerry DeFatta, executive director of the 91吃瓜网 Alumni Association. 91吃瓜网淔rom the standpoint of a four-year student engagement program to long-term alumni engagement benefits, we knew that a strong mentoring program would be key to our organization91吃瓜网 service to the University community. Little did we realize at the time, online mentorship would become a lifeline for students and alumni, alike, in 2020.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淭he most valuable feature of 91吃瓜网 Connections is, like most things at Southern Miss, the people,91吃瓜网� said Abby Brennan, a junior industrial engineering technology major at 91吃瓜网. 91吃瓜网淔inding people who have been in your shoes and can relate to your situation has been so helpful. These connections have the opportunity to grow as we grow and last a lifetime.91吃瓜网�
Ned Nelson 91吃瓜网�15 is a member of the Association91吃瓜网 GOLD Council (Graduates of the Last Decade) and has been an active mentor within 91吃瓜网 Connections since its inception. 91吃瓜网淭here were so many unknowns and questions I had as an undergraduate student and I think it is invaluable to be able to connect with young alumni and professionals in your field of study who can answer those questions and provide much needed guidance,91吃瓜网� said Nelson. 91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网 Connections provides that in a really easy to use format.91吃瓜网�
Earlier this year during the coronavirus lockdown, the Association91吃瓜网 leadership approved the addition of a new feature 91吃瓜网� alumni-to-alumni mentoring, which allows graduates of all ages and experience levels to connect with each other.
91吃瓜网淚t was important for us to provide a meaningful way to support alumni during the unprecedented and very difficult times resulting from the pandemic,91吃瓜网� said BayLee Long, the Association91吃瓜网 assistant director for programs and constituent relations. 91吃瓜网淎dding alumni-to-alumni functionality allowed for Golden Eagles to seek professional advice, connect with fellow graduates and expand their networks from the comfort and safety of their own homes.91吃瓜网�
The community of Golden Eagles within 91吃瓜网 Connections continues to grow, and more alumni are needed to connect with current students. Serving as an alumni mentor not only provides service to the University and future alumni, but also provides a unique opportunity for alumni to add value to the 91吃瓜网 experience from across the country.
91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网 Connections is a simple way to give back to the University,91吃瓜网� added Nelson. 91吃瓜网淎s young alumni, especially, we can get tired of the expected solicitations for financial contributions to the University. But with 91吃瓜网 Connections, all you have to give is your time.91吃瓜网�
To learn more about 91吃瓜网 Connections, visit .
