Why do my mentor and I have different majors/schools/career interests?
Students are first matched with alumni from the same geographic area. In addition, other factors such as career field, ethnicity, and gender are also taken into account to provide students with the best match. Although a mentor may have a different undergraduate course of study, mentors often have other similar interests with their students. Mentors are experienced individuals who can offer you valuable advice even if you do not share the exact same undergraduate experience. Mentors also have networks they are a part of, so they might be able to recommend someone who shares your career interest, even if they do not.
We recommend that you interact with your mentor a minimum of one to two times a month through email, on the phone, in person, etc. Don’t hesitate to contact your mentor. They are enthusiastic about the program and interested to hear from you. Remember that the more you put into the relationship, the more you will get back from it. You and your mentor may also consider other opportunities for interaction such as job shadowing or accompaniment to professional events.
What if I am experiencing communication issues with my mentor?
If you are experiencing any issues related to your mentorship experience, please stop by our office at 260 Caldwell Hall to speak with one of the CASMP staff members or make an appointment to speak with a staff member.
How can I get more involved with the on-campus events associated with the program?
The Student Advisory Committee is a panel of about 15 students who help plan and organize many of the CASMP events. If you are interested in becoming part of this committee, please send an email to casmp@cornell.edu, call the office at 255-0842, or stop by the CASMP office at 260 Caldwell Hall.
What services does this program offer to help me meet more alumni and students involved in the program?
CASMP hosts a number of social networking events that provide students opportunities to meet and network with other students and mentors. Past events include Alumni-Student networking, the CASMP Bowling Challenge, the Winter Break Reception in New York City, and the Alumni Lunch Series. For more information on any of these events, join the CASMP Facebook group.
What should I do when I first meet my mentor and what should I talk about?
The initial contact should be an informal one. This is a time to get to know each other by sharing about significant events or people in each other’s life, likes and dislikes, and general interests. First conversation topics should provide a glimpse into each other’s lives. You should also discuss the best method(s) of communication with each other and how often you will communicate. At the end of the meeting, arrangements should be made for a second meeting. The second meeting is a good time to discuss in more detail what each person wants to gain from the relationship.
What should I include in an email to my mentor when I contact him/her for the first time?
Email #1 (if you decide to initiate contact with your mentor)
Dear Mentor's name,
I’ve been told by the Cornell Alumni-Student Mentoring Program that we’ve been matched together. I’m just about to begin my freshman / sophomore / junior year at Cornell as a subject major in the name of college. I’m looking forward to meeting new people / beginning classes / living away from home, etc. I decided to go to Cornell because name reason. I signed up for this program because name reason and I am hoping that you’ll be able to name goals for the mentoring relationship.
Please let me know when you are available to meet in person. I’m leaving for school on date and am hoping to meet you before then. I will also be home during name dates of upcoming breaks so if you don’t have time before the start of school, perhaps we could aim to meet then.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your contact information
Email #2 (response to an email your mentor has sent)
Dear Mentor's name,
Thank you for getting in touch with me. I’m glad we were matched together because it sounds like you’ll be able to advise me on career interests / classes I can take / how to interview for jobs, etc. I’m going to be majoring in name subject(s). In the future, I plan on name career goals. As you know, I’m from name hometown. I really like / dislike living there because name reasons. While in high school, I’ve been really involved in name extracurricular activities / volunteer work / summer internships and I’m hoping to be able to do the same at Cornell. I’m looking forward to being at Cornell because name reason(s). I’m hoping my Cornell experience will name goals.
I am free to meet on name days. Please let me know which one works best for you. I’m looking forward to meeting you.
Regards,
Your name
I have not been matched with an alumni mentor. What do I do?
If you have not been matched in a reasonable amount of time (within a month of submitting an application), contact the CASMP office to speak with a staff member. Speaking with us often gives us a better idea of what your needs are and how to go about matching you with a mentor. You can contact the office by sending an email to casmp@cornell.edu, calling the office at 255-0842 or stopping by the CASMP office at 260 Caldwell Hall.
