Are you a Rutgers alumnus looking to make a meaningful impact on the next generation of professionals? The Career Exploration and Success department invites you to participate in the 4ward Career Pathways Program, an initiative designed to guide undergraduate students toward successful careers.
The 4WARD Career Pathways Program (formerly known as the Road to Industry Program – RTIP) is a comprehensive mentorship program at Rutgers University that connects experienced alumni like you with ambitious undergraduate students. This program is focused on helping students define their career aspirations through personalized career advising, one-on-one mentoring from Rutgers alumni, valuable networking events, and access to essential recruiting resources, all aimed at ensuring their success after graduation.
Your Role as a Mentor: A Rewarding Opportunity
As a mentor in the 4WARD Career Pathways Program, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping a student’s career trajectory. This is a chance to give back to Rutgers and empower students as they navigate their academic and professional journeys. You will have the opportunity to share your industry insights, experiences, and advice, directly contributing to the development of future leaders in your field.
Time Commitment and Expectations: Flexible and Impactful
We understand the busy schedules of alumni professionals. The 4WARD Career Pathways Program requires a manageable time commitment of approximately 2 hours per month from October 2023 through July/August 2024. The best part? You and your mentee collaboratively decide how this time is spent, allowing for flexibility and a personalized mentoring experience.
In addition to your mentorship sessions, we ask mentors to complete brief monthly check-in forms via Qualtrics. This feedback is crucial for program evaluation and ensuring we provide the best possible experience for both mentors and mentees.
Areas of Discussion: Guide and Inspire
The discussions you’ll have with your mentee are diverse and designed to cover key aspects of career development. Typical areas of focus include:
- Goal Setting: Helping students define their short-term and long-term career goals.
- Industry Trends: Providing insights into current trends and future directions in your industry.
- Resume and Cover Letter Reviews: Offering constructive feedback to refine their application materials.
- LinkedIn Profile Coaching: Guiding students on building a professional online presence.
- Navigating the Internship and Job Search: Sharing strategies for effective job searching and application processes.
- Interview Strategies and Mock Interviewing: Preparing students for successful interviews through practice and feedback.
- Exploring Career Paths: Discussing various career options within their field of interest.
Meet Your Mentees: Rutgers’ Brightest Sophomores
The mentees in the 4WARD Career Pathways Program are highly motivated Rutgers undergraduate students. They were carefully selected as first-year students in Spring 2023 and are now entering their sophomore year, eager to gain real-world insights and mentorship as they progress in their academic and career exploration.
We are Seeking Mentors in Diverse Fields:
The 4WARD Career Pathways Program is actively seeking Rutgers alumni mentors with expertise in the following areas:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Business Analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analysis
- Finance (Risk Management, Compliance, Investment Banking, Quantitative Finance, Asset Management, Corporate Finance)
- Genetic Counseling
- Health Administration
- Law
- Life and Health Sciences
- Marketing
- Medical Professions (Physicians, Pediatrics, Surgery, Nurses, PA, Internal Medicine)
- Music with Technology Connection
- Nutrition
- Product Management
- Public Health
- Software Engineering
- Supply Chain Management
- Veterinarian
- Video Game Industry
Ready to Make a Difference? Get Involved Today!
If you are passionate about guiding the next generation and are interested in becoming a mentor in the 4WARD Career Pathways Program, or if you know other Rutgers alumni who would be a great fit, we encourage you to reach out!
To begin your application process, please contact [email protected] with your name, career field, area of interest for mentoring, and any questions you may have.
Thank you for considering this rewarding opportunity to invest in the future of Rutgers students through the 4WARD Career Pathways Program!
