Schreyer offers two formal mentoring programs designed to connect you with highly accomplished professionals who are invested in your growth.
Whether you are exploring career options, preparing for graduate or professional school, strengthening your professional skills, or seeking guidance on leadership and life after college, your mentor can offer perspective shaped by real-world experience.
Society of Distinguished Alumni Mentoring Program
As a Schreyer Scholar, you have the exclusive opportunity to connect with members of Penn State's Society of Distinguished Alumni (SDA), recipients of the University's highest honor, bestowed upon outstanding alumni and alumnae.
The SDA Mentoring Program pairs Schreyer Scholars with alumni mentors for conversations about leadership, career advice, personal goals, and more.
The program is a one-year commitment, although many mentors and protégés stay in touch after their official commitment ends. The mentoring relationship is student-driven, and the goals for the year, as well as decisions around how often to meet, are agreed upon by the mentor and protégé.
While many meetings may take place online, Scholars can expect to meet with their mentors in person at least once a year, during a fall event at University Park. Additional meetings are at the discretion of the mentor and protégé.
Who are Distinguished Alumni?
Distinguished Alumni are seasoned alumni who are or have been leaders in industry or academia. They include CEOs and company executives, high-ranking military and government officials, lawyers, judges, elected officials, company owners, higher education leaders, and more.
These alumni have years of experience in their chosen fields and a wealth of knowledge to share with Scholars of any major or career path. Learn more about Distinguished Alumni on the Penn State Alumni Association website.
Eligibility and Application Process
Scholars in good academic standing at any campus are eligible to participate in the program. Applications are open from December to mid-January. Scholars must complete an online questionnaire and upload a resume to apply. Look for announcements in the weekly Schreyer email newsletter and on Schreyer social media accounts.
Scholars are matched with their mentors in February. At that time, Scholars are encouraged to connect with their mentors to begin the relationship and set goals.
Expectations and Benefits
Each mentor/protégé relationship will be different, and conversations will vary based on where Scholars are in their academic journey. However, all Scholars, whether a first-year or senior, can benefit from the program. While Scholars may be paired with a mentor in a field that aligns with their career goals, that is not a requirement of a successful pairing. Mentors can provide a wealth of professional and life advice that applies to all career trajectories.
To help ensure a successful relationship, Scholars should set clear goals but keep an open mind. Ideally, Scholars will gain a trusted advisor and friend that will last well beyond the program timeline.
Some of the things Scholars may discuss with their mentors include:
-
Personal mission statements
-
Balancing your life, career, and academics
-
Career goals and pathways to long-term career ambitions
-
Leadership advice
-
Networking and making career connections
The Society of Distinguished Alumni Mentoring Program is offered through a partnership with the Penn State Alumni Association. Contact scholars@psu.edu with questions.
Mentoring with Honors
Mentoring with Honors (MwH) pairs current Scholars with Scholar Alumni in a one-year professional relationship to gain guidance in their career journey. Mentors and mentees typically connect about topics such as career development and decision making. Many Scholars and alumni stay in touch beyond the academic year, and some form lifelong connections.
The mentoring relationship is student-driven, and the mentee is expected to initiate and maintain the relationship. The goals for the year as well as decisions around how often to meet are agreed upon by the mentor and mentee. Meetings will typically take place online, and pairs meet about once a month.
Eligibility and Application Process
Scholars in good standing at any campus are eligible to participate. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis from September to February, but Scholars are encouraged to apply at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Applications will not be accepted after February 14 to ensure mentors and mentees have enough time to connect.
Information sessions will be held in the fall for those interested in learning more about the program. Scholars must complete a brief online questionnaire via LionLink to apply. Look for announcements in the weekly Schreyer email newsletter and on Schreyer social media accounts.
Scholars are matched with mentors on a rolling basis. Once matches are released, Scholars are encouraged to connect with their mentors to begin the relationship and set goals.
While we often try to pair Scholars and alumni who have similar fields of interest, Scholars paired with alumni outside their field can still greatly benefit from the relationship and guidance an alumnus has to offer.
Expectations and Benefits
Each mentor/mentee pair is unique based on the goals of the Scholar and the expertise of the alumnus. Conversations will also vary based on where the Scholar is in their academic journey. In this program, we will do our best to match mentees with a mentor who aligns with their major and ideally with their career trajectory. Mentors can provide a wealth of career and life advice that applies to all career trajectories. To help ensure a successful relationship, Scholars should set clear goals and keep an open mind.
Some of the things you may want to focus on with your mentor include:
-
Choosing a major
-
Career exploration
-
Graduate/professional school preparation and decisions
-
Goal setting
-
Career or skill development
-
Resume feedback
-
Professional communications/networking
-
Transitioning to employment or graduate/professional school
Mentoring with honors is sponsored by the Scholar Alumni Society Board. For additional information or questions, contact the Schreyer Career Development Office at SHCCareerDev@psu.edu.