Economics Mentorship Program
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The Economics Mentorship Program was initiated fall 2011 in response to student requests for more opportunities to connect with business professionals. The mission of the program is to enrich and support the professional, academic, and personal experiences of undergraduate students in the Department of Economics in order to assist them in the transition from academic to professional life.
This program links undergraduate Economics students during their junior and senior years with mentors in order to enable students to develop life and career skills through the guidance of seasoned professionals. Mentoring allows the student to learn about specific jobs, career paths, networking, organizational cultures, business functions and industries. Students receive constructive feedback about career goals, career building, personal skills and business skills.
Why Become a Mentor?
Mentoring an Economics undergraduate is a rewarding experience for alumni for a number of reasons. Interacting with students often prompts professionals who have been away from the classroom for many years to reflect on their own careers and take stock of their accomplishments. Through the mentoring process, mentors come to realize how much they’ve learned and how much they have to offer college students. Most mentors also find the experience reinvigorates their interest both in their own work and in that of current Economics students.
The meetings between the mentor and the student are one-on-one encounters with both participants jointly deciding how to structure the mentoring based on individual needs and time constraints. The program is for a minimum of one year, but can be extended for another year if mutually agreed upon by student and mentor. The program is not merely a source for an informational interview, but rather an opportunity to create and foster relationships for the student’s academic career and beyond.
*This program is not intended to be an internship, nor is it designed to lead to a job in the mentor's place of employment.
This page contains information primarily for mentors. Students, click here for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions: Answers to many of your questions about mentoring.
Time Commitment for Mentors
The Mentor program runs from approximately October through May each year. Students apply to participate in the program in September and, after being assigned to their mentors and attending orientation in late October, are asked to arrange meetings with their mentors at least once per quarter. Many mentors find it useful to meet with students on a monthly basis. Conference rooms in Savery Hall are available for Mentor Program participants' use. Mentors are encouraged to attend a year-end social in May, and are welcome to continue the mentor relationship during summer quarter, if desired.
Mentors 2012-2013: Here you will find a list of our current mentors.
2013 Program Events
UW Career Center Presentation: Job Search Strategies
Free and open to economics majors (mentors are welcome to attend also)
Thursday, March 7, 20133:00 - 4:00 p.m., Savery 132
Spring social and year-end meeting
Current mentors and mentees
Weds. May 29, 20135:00 - 7:00 p.m., HUB 334
Mentor Resource Library: Here you will find articles, tip sheets, and presentations about careers and job prospecting that may be of use in your mentoring relationships.
Interested in Participating?
Interested alumni and friends of the department are asked to submit a current CV, resume, or bio that includes a summary of employment history, list of specialities (skills), educational background, and professional memberships and affiliations, to the program coordinators. We will be matching mentors and students for the 2012-2013 academic year in October 2012, and will hold our program orientation on October 25, 2012.
Mentors need not be alumni of the Economics Department, but should have an interest in Economics education.
Mentor Testimonials
"It was a pleasure to get to know my student and hear about how well he's done in both his economics and other educational and entrepreneurial pursuits. In addition to giving him my perspective and advice on things, I felt I learned a lot from working with him."
"My mentee was always on time, prepared, and present in the conversation. I think I have found a new friend, too!"
"I've been very impressed with not only the quality of the students, but also the care that went into matching up students and mentors to make sure the experience was highly rewarding for both parties."
Questions? Want to mentor? Contact us!
Walt Zabriskie, '71, Economics Department Visiting Committee
Mentorship Program Chair
Olga Yang, ‘82, Economics Department Visiting Committee
Mentorship Program Co-Chair
Nicole Johns
Economics Department Outreach Coordinator
206-543-5945
You may also be interested in our Regional Representatives program.
Page updated: January 2013
