Prospective Students
Master's Program
LER Alumni Mentoring Program
"Mentoring begins when a person strategically affects the professional life of someone else by fostering insight, identifying needed knowledge and expanding the other person's horizons."
Larry Ambrose, Mentor's Companion
History of the LER Alumni Mentoring Program
Initially, this program began with a pilot in the fall of 2001 involving eight students and eight alumni mentors. Based on the success and suggestions of the individuals involved in the pilot, the LER Alumni Mentoring Program officially began in the fall of 2002 with 40 alumni/student parings.
This program started a formal mentoring program, and has moved to an informal program managed through the Professional Network on the LER online career services site. The change was made based on the comments of both alumni and student participatns.
This network offers LER graduate students the chance to interact one-on-one with an LER alumnus, and serves to keep each alumnus connected with their alma mater. The program coordinator is Nell Madigan, Assistant Dean at LER.
What is involved in the online Professional Network at LER?
Through the Professional Network on NACElink/Symplicity at LER, alumni mentors will be available to answer questions about your career, an industry, the field, or your time at LER. Your mentor may simply answer questions or it may develop into a lasting professional relationship.
The goal of this program is not to help you get a job or an internship. You may expect to get feedback on your job search tactics, tips on how to network successfully, and comments on how various HR strategies are used in the workplace.
How do I become part of the LER Professional Network?
Once you are enrolled at LER, you may register on https://ilir-uiuc-csm.symplicity.com/mentors/. Choose your access settings to include the professional network feature. If you have trouble with this, please contact Wendy Gooch via email or at 217/333-2777.