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Marquette University
Career Services Center
Holthusen Hall, First Floor
1324 W. Wisconsin Avenue
P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881
Phone: (414) 288-7423
Fax: (414) 288-5302
E-mail | Staff Directory



CIRCLES eMENTOR NETWORK

About the Circles eMentor Network
Tips for Interacting with a Mentor
Conversation Starters
Other Mentor Opportunities at Marquette
Why Networking is so Important

 

ABOUT THE CIRCLES eMENTOR NETWORK

Connecting alumni to Marquette University Students and
Alumni for Career Networking

We are pleased to offer CIRCLES eMentor Network using LinkedIn!

Your mentor relationship will bring the following benefits:

  • Provide mentees with advice about careers, industries/industry trends and organizations within your areas of expertise.
  • Timely, professional responses to inquiries.
  • Freedom to set the frequency of your communication and the method (e-mail, telephone, in-person meetings, job site visits, etc.).

DO NOT expect your mentor to:

  • Provide job opportunities.
  • Review resumes.
  • Review business venture proposals.
  • Interview students or participate in extended communication over time.

 

TIPS FOR INTERACTING WITH A MENTOR

Students: Once you have searched the CIRCLES eMentor LinkedIn group, contacted a mentor and agreed upon a communications schedule, take in the tips below to make your relationship as valuable as possible.

Guidelines for interacting with a CIRCLES mentor:

  • Professionalism - Remember to keep your communication on a professional level.
  • Respect their time - Alumni have careers, families, projects and their own deadlines and responsibilities. Monitor the time and the amount of contact you have with them and show appreciation whenever you can.
  • Know what you want - Before networking, always have a goal in mind.
  • Seek mentors - Ask for advice rather than job opportunities.
  • Networking is a two-way street - Make sure to reach out to your contacts for more just when you need something.
  • Follow up - Reiterate interest, keep top of mind.
  • Show appreciation – Always say thanks (or write a thank you!) for help and favors you receive.

Tips for getting the most out of your interaction with a CIRCLES mentor:

  • Select a manageable number of alumni volunteers to contact. Following up with more than three can be time consuming. You can always visit the group again to select more alumni volunteers later.
  • Before you begin using the CIRCLES eMentor Network, be sure to have a completed Linkedin profile. A 100-percent-complete profile includes a resume, photo and references.
  • Do not feel that you are imposing, as these alumni volunteers have signed up to be a part of this networking group with the intention to assist students and fellow alumni.
  • Be patient after your initial contact with an alumni volunteer. It may take a couple of days to follow up with you.
  • Begin your correspondence with a little bit about you and your background. Then move into questions that you may have. See sample conversation starters.
  • Remember to keep your communication on a professional level. Use complete sentences and proper grammar. This is not a status update or text message.

 

CONVERSTATION STARTERS

Tips for writing your initial message to your mentor:

  • Be comfortable: As you stepped onto the Marquette University campus you became part of the Marquette community. Typically, MU alumni want to help MU students and alumni. Mentors have joined the CIRCLES eMentor Network to do just that.
  • Be honest and up-front: Just like with a friend, when you have a specific goal or request in mind, make it known in the message. The recipient is most likely busy and doesn't know you, so if they spend the time to talk to you and feel you may have a separate agenda, they may feel like their time wasn’t well spent in helping to serve as a mentor Be succinct: You’re asking someone for his time, resources or advice, so be polite in introducing yourself, but also be direct. You should introduce yourself in your first sentence or two, then explain why you’re contacting the recipient and how you hope they can help you.
  • Be original: If you stick to the sample text that Linkedin gives you, your message could have an air of “I want to talk to you, but I don’t have a few seconds to really tell you what I’m looking for.” When you customize your message, you have a greater chance of capturing the other person’s attention. If your intended recipient gets a lot of requests, you’ll stand out if you show some effort to rise above the daily noise this person encounters.
  • Be ready to give in order to get: You’re asking for help of some sort, so be ready to give something, whether it’s gratitude or a reciprocal favor.

Sample text for searching for a mentor by career field, industry, or occupation

Dear Mr. Jones-

I have recently joined Marquette’s CIRCLES eMentor Network with the intent of learning more about the field of engineering. I am currently a freshmen Engineering major at Marquette and I am exploring all of the different areas of the field. I saw your profile and am interested in learning more about your position as an eEnvironmental eEngineer. Would you be willing to answer a few questions about your career, career path and current position to help me make a more-informed career choice?

Initially I would like to connect electronically but I would also be interested in the possibility of arranging a day to shadow you at work, if that’s an option. I will be home in the Chicago area over the summer.

Thank you in advance for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Grace Goodwin, MU Engineering student


Sample text for searching by specific organization or business name

Dear Ms. Peterson-

I have recently joined Marquette’s CIRCLES eMentor Network with the intent of using it to enhance my job search. I am currently a senior public relations major at Marquette and I am pursuing a number of small- to medium-sized public relations agencies in the St. Louis area. Recently I have been pursuing a social media position at Fleishman-Hillard. After searching the alumni network, I saw that you work for Fleishman-Hillard and are a graduate of the public relations major at Marquette University.

I am interested in learning more about your position and organization before submitting my formal application to the position. Would you be willing to answer a few questions? Also, if you have about 10 minutes I would really love feedback on my resume and cover letter. Let me know if you are available to look over these job search documents for me.

Thank you in advance for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Grace Goodwin, MU Public Relations student


Sample text for searching by geographic location

Dear Ms. Krakowsi-

I have recently joined Marquette’s CIRCLES eMentor Network with the intent of using it to assist me in my relocation to San Antonio. I am a graduating senior majoring in Social Welfare and Justice at Marquette and recently accepted a position as a service volunteer with City Year San Antonio. I am excited to serve in the school district offering tutoring and mentoring to students.

Although this is a volunteer experience, I will receive a small stipend for living expenses. I am seeking affordable housing and have connected with City Year for assistance and recommendations, but would appreciate your opinions as well.

Also, I would like to connect with other Marquette University alumni once I get settled in the area. If you know of anyone, I would greatly appreciate if you could share this with them. In the meantime, would you be willing to answer a few questions helping me get acclimated to the area?

Thank you in advance for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Grace Goodwin, MU Social Welfare and Justice student

Sample text for searching by major or field of study

Dear Mr. Steinbeck-

I have recently joined Marquette’s CIRCLES eMentor Network with the intent of using it to assist me exploring career options for Biological Sciences. I am starting the process for finding a summer internship and would like to learn more about career paths that interest me. I am considering a career in medicine but want to explore all of my options. I have contacted a few other Marquette biological sciences graduates an individual in elementary education and another in environmental policy with the federal government. If possible, I would like to include your perspective as a researcher at a private firm, too.

I saw your profile and am interested in learning more about your position as an environmental researcher. Would you be willing to answer a few questions about your career, career path and current position to help me make a more-informed career choice?

Initially I would like to connect electronically but I would also be interested in the possibility of arranging a day to shadow you at work, if that’s an option. I will be home in the Chicago area over the summer.

Thank you in advance for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Grace Goodwin, MU biological Sciences student

 

other mentor opportunities at Marquette


In addition to the CIRCLES eMentor Network, several Marquette colleges also have mentoring programs for students.

College of Business Administration Mentor Program

The Marquette University Business Mentor Program is co-sponsored by the College of Business Administration and Marquette University Business Administration Alumni Association. The mentor program provides an excellent opportunity for junior-level students to learn about business from business professionals. Mentors are Marquette alumni and friends who are leaders in Milwaukee- and Chicago-area firms, and they provide invaluable insights into career choice, interviewing skills and career development. Each year, more than 250 business students and alumni participate and form productive relationships.

The College of Business Administration Mentor Program runs from September through April annually. Get more information.

Diederich College of Communication Mentoring Program

A collaboration between the Diederich College of Communication and the College of Communication Alumni Association, the mentor program seeks to help students gain valuable insight into career choices, get helpful tips on their career search process and practice networking skills.

Mentors are selected by the Diederich College of Communication Alumni Association board and represent various areas of the communication profession. They are generally alumni who have expressed interest in working with students and who have been successful in their careers. Learn more

College of Nursing Project: BEYOND

The Project BEYOND team is inviting registered nurses to share their knowledge and expertise to help nurture College of Nursing undergraduate students. Serve as a role model, share knowledge, provide direction and promote development within the nursing profession. Learn more

 

WHY NETWORKING IS SO IMPORTANT

In a difficult economic job market, networking has been the key to most people’s success. By definition, networking is the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. In essence, networking is built around the premise that if one gives business to others, one will get business in return.

As we tell all Marquette University students upon entering, “You are now part of the Marquette family.” One benefit of this “family” is being connected to thousands of professionals in a variety of career fields, industries and professions. Most MU alumni are very interested in helping out a fellow Golden Eagle.

Using a common platform for connection such as Linkedin allows contacts to keep updated contact and professional information readily available.

Common reasons for networking:

  • Learn about career fields, industries, or occupations - Searching for someone in your career field of interest gives you a chance to hear first-hand what a particular career is really like. Students choosing majors, defining career goals, or weighing career choices may find this helpful.
  • Network with a professional in a specific organization - Prior to interviewing or even considering pursuing an opportunity within an organization, it is recommended that prospective employees learn all they can about that organization. By networking, candidates can learn who the decision makers are, what departments might be hiring, what it is really like to work within the organization, who might be available to help with preparing for the interview process, and much more.
  • Research geographic locations - If you are relocating to a new city, state, or region and seeking a new position, connecting with Marquette University alumni ahead of time could help you learn about organizations within your career field to target.
  • Solicit advice specific to your career - In addition to consulting with career counselors and academic advisors, connecting with professionals in your field of interest can offer added insight to your strength as a candidate. Getting the inside scoop can give you the leg-up when competing with hundreds of other candidates for the same positions.

We are pleased to offer CIRCLES eMentor Network using Linkedin!