Each year, alumni - from different backgrounds, industries and years of experience give something back to Teachers College by becoming an Alumni Partner, Contact and/or Mentor. Volunteering with us is simple-all of your responsibilities are clearly outlined, and you can count on meeting students with lots of enthusiasm and talent.
By volunteering you can help TC students develop the skills they need to thrive and succeed in their careers. This program has been designed to assist TC students in making a smooth transition into the workplace and to support their networking skills. Best of all, this program has been designed to accommodate busy schedules.
You can volunteer to be one, two or all three of the following:
Alumni Contacts Allow students to reach out to you and your organization in an effort to learn more about what your organization does. This invaluable service helps potential candidates learn about your career path and organization. This typically involves a telephone conversation or email.
Alumni Mentors Allow students to benefit from your expertise and knowledge as they grow in their own careers. Through mentoring relationships, students are able to develop career directions and gain "real world" perspectives on possible occupations and industries. Students are also given the chance to network and gain insight into areas of interest beyond an academic setting. In turn, you will develop stronger ties to TC students and have an opportunity to interact with and guide the next wave of professionals in your field.
Alumni Mentor/Contact profile
Search for Alumni Contacts / Mentors
To participate in the Alumni Mentoring and Career Networking Program, please click here to register through TCCS LINK.
Please note: this online program is password-protected and only TC students and alumni will have access. Students will not be able to view your personal contact information (i.e. name, address, phone, email, etc.) They will only be able to see the information that you provide regarding your employment and educational history. If they are interested in your profile, they will email you through our online system without being able to view your actual email address. You will receive basic information about the student (i.e. degree/academic program) and any other information that they provide in their message to you. As a Contact and/or Mentor, you are responsible for responding to that initial outreach and making the proper arrangements to speak or meet with the student. You can also set a limit as to how many times a month you are willing to be contacted.
On behalf of the TC student body and TCCS, thank you for your time. We hope you choose to participate in this program. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does the program take? There is no set time commitment. Time commitments are set by the individuals involved.
How are students matched to Alumni Mentors? Students conduct a search through the alumni database and decide whom they would like to contact.
What are the responsibilities of a Mentor? A mentor assists students with learning about career options and coaches them on the skills and attitudes which will improve their success potential. Mentors encourage students to network with other professionals, educate students on the daily work involved in their careers, and talk about different options in the field. They may review students' resumes and give critical feedback.
What are the responsibilities of a student? Students are responsible for staying professional and courteous at all times. Students understand that a mentor may be unavailable during especially busy times. They are also responsible for maintaining professional confidentiality about the internal operations of the mentor's organization (for example, if they are invited to attend an internal department meeting to observe policy-making in action).
Does the mentor program lead to a job or an internship? The mentor program involves no promise of future employment. However, this program vigorously promotes professional networking, and many opportunities arise naturally from these connections.
