Valparaiso University Law Alumni Mentor Program

1. Valparaiso University Law Alumni Mentor Program • The Valparaiso University Law School Alumni Mentor Program provides law students and recent graduates an opportunity to network with alumni and obtain valuable career guidance. • HOW DOES IT WORK? • Alumni mentors create a short on-line profile which can be viewed by law students and graduates. Alumni mentors indicate how they would like to be contacted (email, phone, or mail) and how often. Mentors can meet once or establish an ongoing relationship. Student/graduate Mentees will review the Mentor database and contact mentors from whom they would like advice. • PROGRAM GUIDELINES • Mentors can communicate based on their preference (frequency, timing etc.,) • Mentors should advise students based on their experiences, both positive and negative • Mentors can help mentees in a number of ways including: sharing their experience and providing practical advice on the job search process, introducing the mentee to networking resources, conducting informational interviews, hosting a student for Job Shadowing, being a guest speaker at a student organization meeting or program • Once enrolled, Mentors are encouraged to communicate with the Career Planning Center in case they are no longer able to participate in the program or to notify the law school if a student has acted inappropriately • Periodically, Mentors will be invited to evaluate and provide suggestions for program improvement • HOW DO I PARTICIPATE? • To participate in the Alumni mentoring program, VU Law alumni are asked to complete a mentor profile form. http://www.valpo.edu/law/alumni/mentoring-program The Career Planning Center will contact all mentors who have created a profile.

2. Valparaiso University Law Alumni Mentor Program Frequently Asked Questions HOW MUCH TIME WILL THIS REQUIRE? This will be decided between you and the student. Mentors can meet once with one or more students or establish an ongoing relationship. Time can be spent in conversation via e-mail, on the phone, or in-person for a meal, coffee or drinks. Some Mentors let their mentee “job shadow” them or have them work on a project of interest to the student. WHAT IS THE MENTOR’S ROLE? Mentors serve as an important resource by providing the voice of experience. Mentors can offer advice and inspiration to law students, encourage graduates who are preparing for the bar exam, and provide important information about the practice of law and the job market. HOW DO YOU PAIR MENTORS WITH STUDENTS? Students will view a database of Alumni Mentors with their practice area and location. Mentors are encouraged to identify any Mentor restrictions. Students are asked to select a Mentor who closely matches their preferences. HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED ONCE I HAVE COMPLETED THE ENROLLMENT FORM? CPC will notify each Mentor once their profile has been created. Students will contact Mentors directly. NEED HELP? Contact the Career Planning Center at careerplanning.law@valpo.edu or call 219 465-7814