script

Mentoring FAQs

Time Commitment

We ask mentors to commit to one academic year of participation in the program to ensure that mentees fully benefit from the relationship. Throughout the academic year, we encourage mentors and mentees to connect regularly to build a relationship, provide support and stay connected.

We ask both the mentor and student to commit to a minimum of two hours per month. Generally, the time commitment ranges from a few hours per month to several hours per week, depending on the preferences of both the mentee and the mentor. It is up to the student and the mentor to decide together what works best for them.

If a mentor must leave the program, we request that they provide one-month notice.

Why should I consider serving as a mentor?

Working with students one-on-one gives mentors new insight and fresh perspective, and keeps them connected to the invaluable experiences that define Drury. By helping to prepare the next generation of successful graduates, mentors build and strengthen the Drury alumni network. Mentoring is a personal, important way to impact a student and give back to Drury University.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring, in the context of the Drury Mentoring Network, is the development of a voluntary, long-term, one-on-one relationship between a student and alumnus/a. The relationship is characterized by respect and a conscious effort toward personal growth, mutual exchange of ideas, and a supportive and professional relationship.

Although the program mentions “Network” in the title, there is a difference between networking and the mentoring relationship developed through the Drury Mentoring Network. Networking is about developing professional contacts to tap for informational interviews and job leads, mentoring is about an alumnus/a and student developing a close-knit, long-term relationship covering all aspects of career and personal development. 

What should I do once I have been paired with an alumnus/a or a student?

We ask the student to make the first contact after the pairing has been made, but alumni are welcome to reach out to their mentee. We encourage the pair to have an in-person conversation early in the relationship via phone, skype or face-to-face, in which they can get to know each other such as general interests, significant people or events, and likes and dislikes.

At the end of the meeting, we ask that the pair go over the questions on the Mentoring Resource Guide, which can be found on the Drury Mentoring Network Resources page of the Drury Website. This resource helps the pair mutually determine what kind of mentoring relationship they would like to develop. 

Is Drury Mentoring Network a way for students to find a job?

No. While it is a great way for students to connect with alumni for valuable career guidance and other support, it is not intended as a primary job search tool.

What kind of activities should I expect to do while participating in the Drury Mentoring Network?

Activities are determined by mutual agreement between the alumni mentor and the student mentee. They can include anything from helping to look over a resume to providing insights on how to maintain a good work-life balance. Drury Mentoring Network is designed as a resource for helping similar-minded students and alumni to find each other. The actual nature of the mentoring relationship, however, will be up to students and alumni to determine and develop individually.

Each month, mentors and mentees will receive resources that share experiences from alumni in the field, offer advice for students as they develop professionally, provide conversation starters for mentors and mentees and provide additional topic-based resources.

Can I request more than one mentor/mentee at a time?

The Drury Mentoring Network Student-Alumni mentoring program is designed to help students establish a one-on-one long-term relationship with a mentor. We have found that the best way to reach this goal is for students to work with only one mentor at a time during each academic year mentoring session.

Mentors, however, request and work with a more than one student, if they are interested and have the time. We ask that mentors of multiples stay with three mentees at the most.

What if there is a problem with my mentoring relationship?

If you are experiencing any problems in your relationship or have any questions, please notify us so we can help you. We want you to have a satisfying experience, and often we can intervene and work toward possible solutions that will improve the relationship.

Alumni should contact the University Advancement office at alumni@drury.edu or call (417) 873-7217. 

Students should contact Career Planning & Development at career@drury.edu or call (417) 873-7284.

For mentors: Why haven't I been requested yet?

We work to best match mentors and students, but our matching is based on the number of students that are interested in the program and who will best fit with the interest of the students. If you aren’t selected immediately, your information and interest in the program will be saved in our database. As more students apply for the program, we will make every effort to contact you and match you with a mentee.