School of International Service, Room SIS 101 on a map
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United StatesThe SIS Mentoring Program is offered through the SIS Office of Career Development and connects students with alumni mentors for one academic year. Our volunteer mentors help students explore post-graduation pathways, learn how to create networks that support their goals, and move towards their next professional steps. This program is open to SIS juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Students and mentors do not need to be based in the DC area to participate.
To participate, students and mentors should be prepared to:
Contact Claudia Coscia with questions.
Students are expected to dedicate approximately 5 hours per month to communicating with your mentor and formulating your career mentorship goals. Students who are accepted to the program should demonstrate commitment to prompt and professional communication, thoughtful engagement with professional development goals, and initiative to create a meaningful professional relationship with your mentor.
Students should be prepared to:
• Identify your needs and expectations and discuss them with your mentor.
• Understand your mentor’s expectations of you.
• Take initiative in the mentoring relationship, and be responsible for your own career development.
• Meet/interact regularly with your mentor, and keep any commitments that are made.
• Ask questions and participate in conversations.
• Be open to receiving constructive feedback and advice.
• Keep your mentor informed of your progress throughout the year.
• Accept and value one another’s differences.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and positive attitude in all interactions.
The last day to apply is September 16, 2022. Late or partially completed applications will not be considered.
Successful applicants will demonstrate a clear understanding of their own professional development goals and their expectations for a career mentor.
Please be thoughtful with your response. It will be reviewed by the Assistant Director of Career Outreach and Programming and any mentors you ask to be matched with.
Please note, we match students with mentors based on shared interests, expectations, and goals. Unfortunately, spots are limited, and while we try to give as many students as possible the chance to participate, being matched with a mentor is not guaranteed.
Meet this years group of alumni mentors. Learn more about their career paths, intrests, and identities. Use this information to think about who you may like to be paired with in the program.
Please note, while you are asked to select three (3) possible mentors in your application materials, being paired with a mentor you select is not guaranteed.
Alumni mentors are expected to offer one to five (1-5) hours of mentorship each month for the entire academic school year (September - May). However, the scheduling is flexible. We encourage students and mentors to work together to build a program and relationship that works best for their professional lives.
Mentors are also expected to:
• Listen to students’ needs and expectations.
• Help students understand your expectations of them.
• Help students develop realistic and obtainable goals for the program.
• Meet and interact regularly with your mentee and keep any commitments that are made.
• Encourage questions and conversation.
• Provide constructive feedback and advice.
• Discuss your mentee’s progress throughout the year.
• Accept and value one another’s differences.
Mentors must be American University alumni who recieved their undergraduate degree with a major in SIS and/or a graduate degree from SIS.
Please contact Claudia Coscia if you are interested in perticipating as an alumni mentor.
New this year are going to be in-person and virtual networking events exclusively available to mentors and mentees.
The first event will be an in-person Meet and Greet so students and alumni can get to know each other and start building their professional relationships. This event will be held on September 29th at 6pm ET. Information about the event will be sent out to accepted participants.