Student Services
Health Sciences Mentorship Program
The School of Kinesiology Health Sciences Mentorship Program matches U-M Kinesiology alumni with current graduate and undergraduate students interested in complementary careers. Alumni mentors and graduate students can provide valuable insight into potential career paths and give one another meaningful advice. Connecting to those within the kinesiology field is an invaluable opportunity for students to learn more about the realities of working within the health sciences. It offers undergraduate and graduate students the chance to build networks and practice professional skills, while allowing professionals to interact with the future of their fields. Participants can look forward to sharing their professional expertise and personal experience.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Kinesiology Health Sciences Mentorship Program has a unique “pod” structure that allows alumni, graduate students, and undergraduate students to build lasting connections. The group format of the mentorship program allows each member to learn from one another's unique life perspective at different stages of their shared career path or major. The pods are fluid and continuous to allow for graduating students to exit the pod while newly admitted undergraduate and graduate students with common interests can take their place. Additionally, graduate students will have the chance to continue in the program, joining as professionals once their programs conclude. This enables all participants to have ample time and the stability necessary to form genuine connections.
APPLICATION
Alumni and students must opt into the program by completing an application:
- Alumni, register at myumi.ch/88QxM by September 13, 2024.
- Students, register at myumi.ch/DEZ3g by September 13, 2024.
PROGRAM ENROLLMENT
- Based on a variety of factors captured in the registration form, including major, interests, student activities, career paths, etc., pods will be formed as determined by the program administrators.
- While we will make every effort to pair the students with an alum who fits their desired career path, students should go into this program with a willingness to learn from any mentor or graduate student. Even if the pod does not fit their exact professional goals, there will be valuable experience and information to share.
- Program administrators will not rematch pods based on personal preference.
- Alumni should participate only if they feel they can offer adequate time and valuable information to students.
- The Kinesiology Career Development Center will email alumni and students notifying them of their acceptance into the program, and the names and email addresses of their pods, in mid-September.
INTRODUCTION EMAIL
- Once participants have been informed about their mentor/mentee pair, the student will be expected to email their mentor by the end of September.
- The goal of this email is for the student to introduce themselves and to set up the initial meeting. Be sure to exchange your LinkedIn profile, bio, or resume to get a sense of each other’s backgrounds.
- Please contact the Kinesiology Career Development Center at [email protected] if you are unable to connect with your student or alum near the end of September.
INITIAL MEETING
- The goal of the initial meeting is for the mentor and mentee to get to know one another and gives the student an opportunity to practice their communication skills and informational interview techniques. The conversation can be in person, over the phone, or virtual and should last about an hour.
- The student should have prepared questions in advance to ask the alum about their specific field and experiences. Additionally, the student should be prepared to talk about their background and experiences.
- Before wrapping up, discuss when the next meetings will occur. Setting up recurring meetings may be helpful.
ADDITIONAL MEETINGS & ONGOING COMMUNICATION
- The mentorship connection can be carried out as the mentor and mentee see fit. One to two follow-up meetings per month are encouraged. The length of follow-up meetings can be mutually agreed upon.
- Email correspondence is also encouraged. Please be respectful of each other and follow up with emails in a timely and professional manner.
- As the mentorship relationship develops, alumni should consider ways they can encourage students to grow as young professionals. This can include sharing their knowledge of career options, professional development opportunities, and communication etiquette, as well as encouraging students to self-reflect on their strengths, interests, skills, etc.
- While the program officially ends in April, alumni are welcome to continue mentoring their student(s) as long as they are willing and able.
PROGRAM EVALUATIONS
- A midpoint evaluation will be sent to program participants in December as a way to share positive experiences and opportunities for improvements in the program. Comments and suggestions are appreciated.
- Final evaluations will be sent out in April.