From Socrates to Bill Cosby, every successful person has had a mentor, giving encouraging words of advice or lending a sympathetic ear when needed. Mentoring is the process in which an expert in a particular field gives advice to a person that is just starting out in that field. The mentor takes a person under their wing and teaches them the ins and outs of the trade. Luckily, students here on campus will soon have the opportunity to find mentors of their own.
The University of Memphis' Alumni Association has launched a pilot mentorship program this semester.
The mission of The University of Memphis' Journalism Alumni Board Mentorship Program is to make a positive change in the journalism industry by bringing together the three components of this program: The University of Memphis, the business community and students.
The goals of the mentorship program include giving students exposure to a broad range of disciplines within the journalism field, access to employment opportunities and helping students undecided regarding their education path find themselves.
"It is also our hope to give students avenues to resources that were previously unavailable to them," said Mark Henry, coordinator for this program. Henry, who is CEO of Signature Advertising, is also an alumnus of The University.
"The mentorship program was brought to the table by the Alumni Association in an effort to get closer to students in hopes of increasing student participation with the association," he said.The mentors that are participating with this semester's program are alumni board members that have volunteered their time. Mentors can give their students advice in various areas ranging from business to personal. Mentors and students are matched based on the student and their interest level. Places the mentors might take their students include newspapers like The Commercial Appeal, television stations such as Fox 13 and a few advertising agencies. These trips will introduce the students to real working environments so that they can have hands-on experience in their field.
"There were five students chosen for the mentorship program: they included two students from advertising, and one student each from broadcasting, news editing and public relations," said Lurene Kelley, Journalism Job Placement Coordinator.
Students interested in applying for next semester should get in touch with Kelley in the Meeman Journalism Building as soon as possible. According to Henry, competition for the mentorship program will get tougher as the program grows.
"There is no telling how far we can take this program," Henry said. "Mentorship can last a semester or it can last a lifetime."
