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Alumni-Student Mentorship Program
Making a positive impacts on the career paths of Duke Engineering students
Mentorship matters. Through our vertical mentoring network, students are paired with Duke Engineering graduates.
Through the mentorship bond, students connect with alumni working in their fields of interest, build professional skills and networks.
For alumni, its an amazing and rewarding experience which reconnects them to the Pratt School of Engineering
Getting Started is Easy
Alumni can join us at any time. Alumni sign-up link »
Students sign up in early September. Student sign-up link »
The program begins in early October, when alumni and students are paired. Students initiate the first communication during the first week of October.
“Being able to help students has been incredibly life-giving to me. I am glad that I can use the lessons of some of my successes and more importantly, my failures, to help them get ready for lives outside of Duke. I look forward to seeing how far they will go!”
Caleb Duncanson | Class of 2012
Program Summary
The mentorship process is structured but flexible. It allows for progressive development of the mentor-mentee relationship.
We recommend that students and alumni communicate at least once every other month (e.g., email, phone/video call, whatever's easiest for the pair), but alumni should be available to provide more frequent guidance as needed. Engagement can range from scheduled video chats to email check-ins to quick phone calls that address one-off questions.
The EAC strives to bring students and alumni together to benefit the Pratt community as a whole. Amid the chaos and difficulty of the past year, and uncertainty of the next, we believe that dedicating time and conversation is the best form of giving back.
Expectations
The mentoring program runs each academic year from October through the end of the spring semester.
Throughout the academic year, the EAC communicates with mentor/mentee participants to share pairing information, program guidelines, check-in reminders and requests for feedback as the year wraps up.
Student mentees will:
- Participate in at least three sessions with your mentor
- Use clear, concise, and responsive communication with your mentor
- Maintain a professional relationship with your mentor
- Appropriately represent the Pratt School of Engineering and Duke University
Alumni mentors will:
- Participate in at least three sessions with your mentee
- Be a role model and provide acceptance, encouragement, and moral support
- Share career and job experience while highlighting important industry and sector trends
- Facilitate professional development and encourage your mentee to seek appropriate knowledge and resources
Contact and Apply
If you have questions, contact Pam Hanson of Duke Engineering Development & Alumni Affairs at phanson@duke.edu.