Importance of Voluntary Mentoring by Alumni

There is a great demand, in today's uncertain economic scenario and outlook, wherein lot of current college / university students and recent graduates are finding it very challenging if not discouraging. Accordingly, there is a vast and unmet need for many of them to either focus on Plan A (Employment) and/or transition into Plan B (Entrepreneurial). Beyond just the normal career counseling and job placement, Voluntary Mentoring by Alumni allows the Mentee to gain, including but not limited to:

• Vision / Mission / Purpose;
• Self-evaluation of tangible quantitative & qualitative goals with critical timelines / milestones;
• Focus & leverage via Strengths-Weaknesses-Threats-Opportunities (SWOT) Analysis;
• Understand & appreciate realistic market scenario, fundamentals, dynamics, competition and how best to prepare;
• If Plan A; undergo effective CV / Resume / Bio preparation process; interviewing process and related;
• If Plan B; developing a "concept / idea", preparing an Executive Summary, Financial Model; Business Plan and related;
• Develop a detailed execution for Plan A and/or Plan B (1-year, 3-5 years etc.);
• Continual link between College / University, Mentors and Mentees for a long-lasting Alumni family relationship and;
• Many Mentees later become Mentors to others potential Mentees; a perpetual Value Chain is built.

Based on above, it is really all about making time and taking time to truly help others who need help so that, in turn, someday, they can help others in need. Once a Mentoring program is planned, developed & implemented, it is a great opportunity to the vast number of Alumni/Mentors to get energized, involved and re-engaged in a highly effective manner. With current technology (Skype, E-mail, Webinars, Live / Teleconferencing / Videoconferencing etc.) many physical limitations are drastically reduced between Mentor(s) and Mentee(s). End-of-the-day, it really comes down to Alumni/Mentors giving back and paying forward, via intangible ways, as well as helping other younger Mentees succeed since: "Their Success is our Success".