Overview of the Knight Nation Mentoring Program
The Knight Nation Mentoring Program brings alumni and current students together to build meaningful connections and support personal and professional growth. Through this program, students can expand their networks, develop career skills, and gain valuable insights by working one-on-one with experienced mentors. Activities like resume reviews, career conversations, and guided discussions help students prepare for their future. At the same time, alumni mentors have the chance to give back by sharing their experiences and helping students succeed.
Program Goals
- Champion Alumni and Student Connections
- Facilitate meaningful one-on-one connections between alumni and students through a structured pilot initiative, fostering retention, engagement, and overall satisfaction.
- Expand Professional Network
- Foster opportunities for both mentors and mentees to expand their professional networks by building meaningful connections through Knight Nation events.
- Develop Professional Skills
- Mentees will develop their professional skills by participating in resume reviews and informational interviews with their mentor.
- Enhance Career Readiness Skills
- Mentees will progress in the career readiness skills of professional communication and collaborating effectively with diverse personalities through weekly guided discussions with mentors.
Mentee Expectations
Why participate?
The Knight Nation Mentoring Program is your opportunity to build meaningful one-on-one connections with alumni, expand your professional network, and develop essential skills like resume building, professional communication, and career readiness. This program is designed to foster your professional growth and create opportunities for internships and career advancement.
What is required of me as a mentee?
- Connect regularly with your mentor via video, email, messaging or phone call.
- Attend our virtual events:
- Take initiative by scheduling meetings and arriving prepared. Show a genuine interest and ask questions. Be sure all materials, like your resume, are up to date and ready for review.
- Complete the program goals and mark them as finished by the assigned due date. Additionally, feel free to set your own personal goals with your mentor!
- Demonstrate professionalism by being timely, open to feedback, expressing a willingness to learn, and following through on commitments.
Mentor Expectations
Why participate?
Mentoring can be a fun and rewarding experience! It’s an opportunity to advise, inspire, and support Wartburg students as they navigate their college and career journeys.
In return, you’ll not only strengthen your coaching skills and gain insights into the next generation of professionals entering the workforce, but also expand your own network by connecting with fellow alumni through the program.
What is required of me as a mentor?
- Connect regularly with your mentee via video, email, messaging or phone call.
- Attend our virtual events:
- Expose your mentee to potential career opportunities via research, informational interviews, job shadow, professional organizations and networks, etc.
- Help your mentee complete the program goals. You can also help your mentee choose and set other personal goals.
- Provide constructive feedback to enhance your mentee's professionalism and preparedness.
- Share examples of success and failure from your own experience.
Knight Nation Mentoring Program Timeline for Fall 2026 - FLASH Mentoring
Goal 1: Career Story Exchange + Skill Awareness
- Mentee shares academic/career interests, mentor shares career path and key decisions.
- Identify 3–5 skills the mentee wants to develop (soft or technical)
Kick-off celebration- link available soon
Goal 2: Goal Setting & Action Mapping
- Build or refine a SMART goal - think networking, resume developing, grad school, or skill-building.
- Outline concrete next steps and timeline.
Goal 3: Professional Materials + Personal Brand Check
- Review/develop résumé or Knight Nation profile or portfolio — mentee chooses.
- Discuss online presence and networking strategy.
Goal 4: Career Exploration & Next-Step Planning
- Mentor helps the mentee create a 30-day post-program plan for achieving goals
- Draft outreach messages to send on KN/LinkedIn to build networking skills
Wrap-up virtual celebration - link will be available soon!
Apply Today!
Click the green "Join Program" button and complete the registration questions. Completing the application as thoroughly as possible helps us make the best mentor-mentee matches!
