• Mentorship Programs

Mentoring aims to foster meaningful relationships between UCF Alumni and current UCF students. The connections made will help prepare our students for a successful future and leave a lasting impact on our campus community. 

 

Below is a list of participating mentorship programs being offered during the 2023-2024 academic year.

ChargeOn Mentoring aims to foster meaningful relationships between UCF Young Alumni and current UCF students. The connections made in this program will help prepare our students for a successful future and leave a lasting impact on our campus community. While we partner with the 4EVER KNIGHTS student organization on this effort, all students are welcome to apply.

 

What sets this program apart? Students and alumni are matched based on professional development skills that the student has a desire to learn and the alumknight has the expertise to teach. Whether it is networking, resume review or how to nail that next interview, this program is designed to be a meaningful experience that helps you develop and hone marketable skills.

The purpose of this program is to connect current students with alumni mentors who share similar academic backgrounds, professional interests and career fields. Alumni mentors act as advisors, share professional experiences, provide new perspectives/insight into the industry, share knowledge about career advancement and assist in the building and enhancement of their mentee’s individual skill set. 

In the spirit of Knights helping Knights, the CCIE Alumni Mentorship Program enables alumni to share their professional and personal experience and expertise with current UCF students. The connections made in the program help prepare our students for a successful future and leave a lasting impact on our campus community.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science and The College of Optics and Photonics Mentor/Mentee Program provides an enriching platform for students to establish meaningful connections with alumni within their field. Through this program, students are paired with alumni mentors who offer guidance, share industry knowledge, and facilitate networking opportunities. By connecting with experienced professionals, participants can expand their professional network, gain insights into their chosen field, and receive valuable advice to shape their academic and career trajectories.  

The College of Sciences is UCF’s largest college and thus boasts the most eligible mentors for this program. The program builds the foundations needed for critical thinking as well as career success in programs ranging from communication and journalism to the physical, biological, social, behavioral and computational sciences. Mentoring students inside and outside of the classroom and preparing them for internships, research and their field work.

Established by the Marching Knights Alumni Chapter in 2018, the Marching Knights Mentorship Program plans to foster meaningful relationships between Marching Knights alumni and current Marching Knights students. The program provides alumni with the opportunity to give back to their alma mater, expand their network and enhance their resume, while supporting the educational and professional development and experience of current MK students.

The purpose of this program is to connect current students with alumni mentors who share similar academic backgrounds and career fields. Alumni mentors can share professional experiences, provide new perspectives/insight into the industry and share knowledge about career advancement.

How to Participate

Alumni

Impact the life of a future alumknight by participating in this year’s program.

 

If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please follow the instructions below. The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.

  1. Sign up on UCF Knights Network
    • Select Alumni Affiliation.
    • When asked "Which formal mentorship program are you applying for?" select the desired mentorship program.
    • Select your First, Second and Third choices on areas you can help your mentee develop.
    • Answer the question "Mentors: Are you willing to have 2 mentees?"
    • Answer the question "What are your specific areas of interest related to your degree program?" 
  2. Complete your Profile.
    • Add a headshot and include your academic and professional experience.
    • Under "Offer Mentoring" check the box for your desired mentorship program.
  3. Wait to be matched!
    • Once accepted, you will be added to the group for your desired mentorship program.
    • You will receive an email notification through Knights Network after you have been matched in mid-September.
  1. Visit UCF Knights Network
    • Click Edit Profile.
    • Add a headshot and include your academic and professional experience including your college and degree.
    • Under "Offer Mentoring" check the box for your desired mentorship program.
    • Scroll to the bottom and under "Other Information" 
      • Answer the first five questions.
      • Answer the last question "What are your specific areas of interest related to your degree program?" 
    • Click SAVE.
  2. Wait to be matched!
    • You will receive an email notification through Knights Network after you have been matched in mid-September.

Our hope is that mentoring will be a positive and enriching experience where you will be able to:

  • Refine your coaching and mentoring skills
  • Develop meaningful connections with current students and provide a positive impact as they prepare to enter the industry
  • Experience a connection with UCF and be in the know of all university happenings
 

Students

Alumni are an invaluable resource. Build a networking of relationships to support you during your education

 

If you are interested in having a mentor, please register and complete your profile today. The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.

  1. Sign up on UCF Knights Network
    • Select Student Affiliation.
    • When asked "Which formal mentorship program are you applying for?" select the desired mentorship program.
    • Select your First, Second and Third choices on areas you want your mentor to help develop.
    • Answer the question "What are your specific areas of interest related to your degree program?" 
  2. Complete your Profile.
    • Add a headshot and include your academic and professional experience.
    • Under "Seek Mentoring" check the box for your desired mentorship program
  3. Wait to be matched!
    • Once accepted, you will be added to the group for your desired mentorship program
    • You will receive an email notification through Knights Network after you have been matched in mid-September.
  1. Visit UCF Knights Network
    • Click Edit Profile.
    • Add a headshot and include your academic and professional experience including your college and degree.
    • Under "Seek Mentoring" check the box for your desired mentorship program.
    • Scroll to the bottom and under "Other Information" 
      • Answer the first four questions.
      • Answer the last question "What are your specific areas of interest related to your degree program?" 
    • Don't forget to save.
  2. Wait to be matched!
    • Once accepted, you will be added to the group for you desired mentorship program.
    • You will receive an email notification through Knights Network after you have been matched in mid-September.

Having a mentor can contribute enormously to your success in future professional aspirations. Much of the learning that contributes to our success happens not only in the classroom, but through real world experience. Without a mentor, that learning occurs mostly through trial and error. With a mentor, however, even experienced professionals can benefit from the experiences and expertise of someone who has withstood the trial and can help us avoid the error. Similarly, those new to the industry or interested in learning about the industry will discover that being a mentee shortens the learning curve for acquiring the skills and knowledge most critical to a successful career.


Additional skills you can gain from participating are:

  • Learning new things about yourself: The self-reflection that can result from a mentoring relationship can be a powerful growth experience and provide you with new insights about yourself
  • Making more of your strengths and exploring your hidden talents: A good mentor will push you to do more with your strengths
  • Expanding your personal network: Entering a mentoring relationship adds your mentor to your personal network, and may lead to an introduction to the individuals in the mentor’s network
  • A source of referrals: Your mentor may refer you to other mentors once they have a better understanding of your needs, abilities, and goals
 

FAQs

Program Timeline

  • Applications Open – Aug. 27, 2023
  • Applications Close – Sept. 10, 2023
  • Matching: mid-September
  • Meet Your Match – Sept. 20, 2023
  • Program End – May 1, 2024

Program Schedule

  • Mentorship Milestone 1: Program Overview & Meet your Mentee/Mentor Webinar – Sept. 20, 2023
  • Mentorship Milestone 2: Career Webinar #1 – Oct. 18, 2023
  • Mentorship Milestone 3: Create/Update Your Resume – Nov. 30, 2023
  • Mentorship Milestone 4: Career Webinar #2 – Feb. 21, 2024
  • Mentorship Milestone 5: UCF Big Interview - March 31, 2024
  • Mentorship Milestone 6: Program Survey - April/May 2024

    The mentor program for the 2023-2024 academic year will run from October-May.

    The deadline to apply to be a mentor or mentee is Sept. 10 at 11:59 p.m.

    You can find mentorship resources in UCF Knights Network

    Questions? Email us at [email protected].