Mentorships & Networking

Douglass Alumnae Mentoring provides a forum for alumnae to connect, engage and grow in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, leading and developing, welcoming alumnae with all levels of career development and with diverse professional aspirations. Mentees are paired with Mentors who assist with fostering and achieving professional development goals. 

Mentoring is a two-way street paved with communication, respect, honesty and the commitment to work towards achieving established goals. We formally match alumnae in mentoring relationships. For the relationship to be successful, Mentors and Mentees need to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to apply oneself.

• Establish a genuine professional development connection with their mentor
• Actively engage in the mentoring relationship, asking questions and working to achieve goals set with a Mentor
• Share professional aspirations and seek guidance on getting to the next level
• Seeks counsel and support to address challenging endeavors
• Communicates clearly and as often as established with a Mentor
• Asks questions, listens, and responds to questions and shared professional experiences
• Positively embraces the mentoring relationship, understanding that each experience offers unique value

• Working professional (at least 3 years of experience)
• Mid-career professional (at least 5 years of experience)
• Mid-level management professional
• Professional in executive management and/or leadership
• Professional who successfully re-entered the workforce
• Professional who successfully transitioned careers
• C-suite professional
• Established entrepreneur
• Retired with a wealth of professional experience and wisdom

• Young alumnae (graduated no more than 10 years ago, including non-traditional graduates)
• Applying to graduate school or searching for jobs
• Entry level professional
• Mid-career professional (5 years’ experience)
• New-to-management
• Entering executive leadership
• Re-entering the workforce
• Exploring a career change
• Seeking entrepreneurial pursuit
• Approaching retirement

Mentorship participants should expect to build meaningful connections in their relationships. We recommend that at the outset of the relationship, you establish goals that the Mentee wishes to achieve and to decide how often you will communicate with each other. Douglass Alumnae Mentoring may host workshops throughout the year, and provide newsletters, conference calls and social media groups as a means for connecting with other participants.

We encourage all Mentors and Mentees to attend AADC-sponsored workshops and signature events throughout the year, including Regional Connection Group and Affinity Network events, and to connect with each other virtually or in person as agreed. You may meet in person or via video conferencing, phone calls, and email. Program members are welcome to continue their mentoring relationship and friendship beyond the conclusion of Douglass Alumnae Mentoring.

• Communicate honestly and be straightforward so both parties’ benefit. 

• Keep the relationship focused and moving forward.

• Be an active listener and communicator.

• Ask questions often and ask for feedback throughout the relationship.

• Consider the impact of your current professional circumstances and future aspirations.