A highly acclaimed actor once said: “I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well, I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way—a mentor.” In any field, there’s no denying the life-changing influence of a mentor.
That’s why Leeds built a mentoring pipeline that spans a student’s entire four-year experience. In essence, students have their own personal coach for each stage of career development: from peer mentor to young alum to seasoned professional.
Students leave with their own personal ‘board of directors’ that they’ll keep in touch with for the rest of their lives.
—Sally Forester, associate director of Leeds Mentoring Programs.
This year, the programs celebrate 10 years of success.
A volunteer army of more than 1,100 professionals stands ready to help students, with business leaders at the highest levels asking to participate. Matches are carefully considered based on factors such as major, career interest and personality type.
Once matched, many pairs go beyond career advising. In fact, Forester encourages it: “You’re entering into a relationship with someone. Learn what your mentor’s hobbies are and if you have any commonalities. Spend time together.”
Not only does the program facilitate lifelong relationships and career success, Forester insists it influences personal values. “We’re changing the culture at Leeds to be one of volunteerism and paying it forward.... Maybe we’re changing the world a little bit, one student at a time.”
Interested in becoming a mentor? Contact sally.forester@colorado.edu