What is the UC Irvine Dunlop School Mentor Program?
The Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences Mentor Program is a voluntary program created for students to explore career interests and engage in mutually beneficial, professionally oriented relationships with alumni and community members in and outside Orange County. UC Irvine Dunlop School undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior students are eligible to participate in the program.
Dunlop School created the Mentor Program to help college graduates not only survive, but be successful. This program pairs alumni and community professionals with students with similar interests. Mentors provide academic and career guidance, networking opportunities, and insights into the working world. They can help students answer such questions as: What can I do with my degree? Should I go to graduate or professional school? Where do I see myself in five years?
This distinguished program gives our students an edge and enables them to market themselves as they pursue graduate school and/or enter the workforce. Mentoring the next generation of biologists is an important part of our mission. Partnerships with industry and community members are invaluable in helping us educate students to become the world-changers of tomorrow.
The Mentor Program begins in the fall and lasts through the following March. To enroll in the program, all mentors and students must complete registration forms identifying their education, career path/goals, professional background, and personal interests.
Connections to the Future
The Dunlop School Mentor Program provides an invaluable opportunity for our undergraduate students to enhance their understanding of various careers. In the process, these students will build a community of Dunlop School alumni and professionals that extends beyond the UC Irvine campus. Mentors will serve as coaches, guides, motivators, advisors, and role models. They will greatly enrich their own lives by making a difference in someone else’s. We hope you join the Mentor Program today!
Explore Different Careers
Share Your Knowledge
Expand Your Network
Upcoming Events
- January 9 @ 6pm – Mentor Panel in Natural Sciences I, 1114
- February 13 @ 6pm – Mentor Panel in Natural Sciences I, 1114
- March 13 @ 6pm – Closing event in Natural Sciences I, 1114
Inspire Minds
Become a Mentor
- Enrich your own life by making a difference in someone else’s.
- Reconnect to the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences on a personal level.
- Gain new skills as you advise and counsel students.
- Share your own experiences and insights.
- Guide your mentee towards achieving specific goals.
Learn and Get Advice
Become a Mentee
- Receive constructive feedback about personal and professional skills.
- Learn about specific jobs, career paths, industries, and organizational cultures.
- Obtain advice about professional conduct.
- Pursue networking opportunities.
- Work with your mentor to achieve a specific goal.
FAQ
Meetings will take place once a month. Mentors and mentees are encouraged to communicate and connect. The level of involvement and length of the relationship will be determined by the mentor and the mentee.
It is strongly recommended that mentees take some time to think about what they hope to gain from the Mentor Program, including identifying their short- and long-term goals. It is imperative that mentees communicate the type of help they need. Examples include learning about potential career opportunities, work activities, duties and challenges of certain professions or acquiring the necessary skills to succeed in their field of interest.
Mentors are encouraged to attend events and connect with mentees at the events. In addition, mentors provide valuable guidance and insight to their mentees including, but not limited to, discussing professional goals, preparing for graduate school, and working in the real world.
Mentees are to clearly define their expectations and goals to their mentors. Like their mentors, mentees are expected to initiate and maintain communication by email, phone and/or video conferencing at least once a month. Mentees are to promptly respond to their mentors and express appreciation for their advice/suggestions.
Both mentors and mentees are asked to contact biosci-mentor@uci.edu about concerns or questions relating to the status of their mentoring relationships.