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Phi Beta Kappa

Alpha Association of Colorado

Mentorship

What is Mentoring?

Welcome to the Alpha Association of Colorado’s PBK Mentorship Program. Mentoring is a powerful personal and career development tool that can enable the mentee to achieve or exceed his or her life goals and aspirations. As defined by Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, a mentor is ‘a trusted counselor or guide.’ Although the term mentor dates from ancient Greece, its meaning and purpose have changed little. As explained on the mentorcity.com website, “The role of a mentor is multi-faceted, may be formal or informal, and may change or evolve as the needs of the mentee change. A mentor can be a role model, coach, sounding board, voice of reason, emotional support, counselor, and a trusted resource” (www.mentorcity.com).

With this program we hope to

  • expand your connections within the Colorado Phi Beta Kappa community
  • provide or receive professional and academic advice

We are excited you are considering this unique opportunity to connect with another association member for mentoring and networking. The network focuses on connecting members one-on-one to not only share professional advice, but also to foster the intellectual curiosity that brings the Phi Beta Kappa community together at its core.

All interested Colorado Alpha Association members can apply for the program, either as a mentor or a mentee. To get started download and fill out the application, and return it to us by email. Please note that only dues-paying members (or new graduates with waived fees) will be matched within the program based on your application. If you are not a current member, visit the Membership page on this website for an application. For new graduates, we offer a one-year complimentary membership.

The mentorship program is not a job search program, and mentees should not expect their mentor to provide them with job opportunities. Our hope is that you will gain valuable insight on how another Phi Beta Kappa member has built a career from liberal arts beginnings, and that you provide or receive (or both) feedback and support for professional, academic, intellectual, and personal endeavors.

Some Benefits of a Mentorship Program

  • Gain inspiration and encouragement to target long-term goals.
  • Learn mentoring, coaching, feedback and effective meeting management skills.
  • Learn best practices for your career path.
  • Leverage leadership skills.
  • Broaden your network of professionals.

Adapted from SHRM Mentoring Program Toolkit

Apply to the Mentorship Program

Some Benefits of Being a Mentor

  • Share experiences as learning tools.
  • Encourage professionalism.
  • Proactively maintain contact and encourage open communication.
  • Help problem solve.
  • Facilitate career planning and development skills (targeting, networking, résumé building).
  • Help the mentee externalize academic experience.
  • Encourage introspection.
  • Facilitate goal-setting and being goal-oriented.
  • Maintain privacy/confidentiality.

Adapted from Convening Leaders: Guide to Creating a Mentoring Program

Appy to be a Mentor

Click on the following links to read / download:

Questions? Contact Ben Palen (benpalen@yahoo.com).