Career Mentor Program Celebrates Twenty Years

Story by Richard P. Groves ’64
former Career Mentor Co-Chairman and Immediate Past-President William Jewell College Alumni Board of Governors

More critical than “How will we pay for their education?” may be the question “Is my son or daughter doing the right things during their college years to assure a good start in their career after graduation?” Fortunately for William Jewell College students, the alumni-staffed Career Mentor Program helps students learn first-hand about their hoped-for careers before they actually enter the workplace.

In 1985, Career Services Director Judy Rychlewski and two far-sighted alumni, Mark Bredemeier and Barney Williams, formulated a program aimed at exposing students to career mentors. In the 20 years since then, nearly 1,000 students have been assisted by nearly 1,000 career mentors. Rychlewski continues to be the staff support for this program, which has been described as the “poster child” for alumni involvement.

Students of all majors are served by the Career Mentor Program. Enrollment for the program occurs the semester before the planned involvement. A different set of students and mentors participates in the fall and spring school semesters. However, students may participate in two or more semesters with different mentors. Members of the Career Mentor Commission, comprised of about 20 William Jewell College alumni, interview each student to determine their exact mentor needs. Collectively, the Career Mentor Commission members discuss the requirements and decide who is most qualified to find each mentor. Prior to the beginning of the semester-long program, students participate in an orientation program conducted by commission members. Mentors are given printed information and a phone briefing by a commission member explaining their role and what to expect from the program.

Participation consists of a series of up to six interactions during three months of the semester, typically at the mentor’s place of work. When possible, mentors allow students to attend staff meetings or otherwise observe the true work of the mentor. At the end of the semester, students, mentors and commission members gather for an exchange of experiences.

William Jewell alumni who participate as mentors enjoy a re-connection with the College which they may not have experienced since graduation. Mentors appreciate the opportunity to give something back in recognition of others who have helped them in their careers. Most mentors seem to appreciate the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences at the student’s stage in life and to re-energize themselves about their own careers. Students and mentors often develop long-term relationships. The program is a great way for students to enlarge the network of people who might be of value in their careers.

Although direct job placement with the mentor’s organization is not the primary objective, there have been many “happy endings” beyond the career mentor experience itself. Some examples of career mentor successes include:

• Eric Coomes, now in marketing at Cerner, participated in the program four times–with an investment banker, in human resources, in marketing and in product management.

• William Jewell College Trustee Russ Cline has been a consistent supporter as a mentor and in helping find mentors. David Feyerabend, a recent graduate and one of Russ’ mentees, now manages one of Russ Cline’s sports-related businesses.

• Gena Fitzgerald at Hallmark has been a mentee, a mentor and commission member. She attributes her success in being employed at Hallmark to the Career Mentor Program.

• Very recent graduate Laura Marcusse was insistent on having a mentor at Fleishman-Hillard, a top public relations firm in Kansas City. Following a successful mentorship with William Jewell alum and Fleishman-Hillard vice-president Mandy Levings, Laura is now employed by that firm.

The Career Mentor Program is still growing and evolving. One of the Commission’s goals is to increase the number of student participants each semester, and therefore the number of mentors needed. If you are interested in participating as a career mentor or as a member of the Career Mentor Commission, please contact Judy Rychlewski at rychlewskj@william.jewell.edu or by phone at (816) 415-5938, or contact Joyce Hon in the Alumni office at honj@william.jewell.edu or (816) 415-7565.