ABOUT THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY MENTOR + SPONSOR NETWORK
The Scholars Academy Mentor + Sponsor Network is designed to get students outside the classroom and into the business world. We do this with the assistance of mentors and sponsors from the professional community who volunteer their time and resources to meet with students in the Scholars Academy on a regular basis while also advocating for them in professional spaces.
WHAT WE ASK OF YOU
We ask that Mentors + Sponsors commit to the following:
- Meet with your mentee regularly, at least six times between September and May. This can be bringing them to a formal business meeting, just taking them out for a cup of coffee, attending a conference together, or just about anything in between.
- Provide guidance, mentoring, and most of all friendship, to your mentee. Yes, talk about resumes, job interviews, and what the professional world is really like. But also find common ground that has nothing to do with business. Do you both have a passion for hiking, opera, or Star Wars? Shared interests often mean a deeper connection.
- Be an advocate for your mentee. This is the sponsor piece, and one that is so important! Bring your mentee into your network, recommend them to opportunities, and introduce them to other professionals.
WHAT WE ASK OF THE SCHOLARS
When admitted to the CBA Scholars Academy, students commit to many pieces of professional development, including the Mentor + Sponsor Network. This means they will:
- Initiate meetings with their mentor, with the expectation that they complete three each fall and spring semesters (for a total of six).
- Come to meetings with an eagerness to learn.
- Complete reflections after each meeting which they will submit to the Scholars Academy director for review.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
The application to be a Mentor + Sponsor opens every summer.
- On the application, we will ask you to write a paragraph about yourself that will be shared with students. Students will then select a few professionals they feel would be a good match for them based on what they need the most in the upcoming year.
- Matches will be finalized by the Scholars Academy director in late August or early September. If you are not matched for the upcoming academic year, we will keep your contact information and reach out the following year.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
We will accept Mentor + Sponsor applications for the 2024-2025 academic year through August 1, 2024.