Grad Student Information
As a graduate student the Alumni Mentor Program can be a priceless opportunity for personal and professional growth. Alumni mentors can bring a wealth of real-world experiences and insights that can guide you through the transition from academia to the professional world.
Their knowledge can help you navigate the job market, make informed career decisions and expand your Bruin network. Alumni mentors also have established connections in various industries, which can be beneficial in opening doors for internships, job opportunities or even research collaborations.
Whether you are in a master’s or doctoral program, the Alumni Mentor Program can be an invaluable opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and the real world, setting you up for a successful future.
Jinsung Kim,
School of Engineering Doctoral Student
"I have been mentoring Jinsung for three years now as he progresses through his graduate studies in material sciences. He has been diligent in his studies, passing his orals and embarking on research projects with his advisor's input. As we have worked together, Jinsung has stayed committed to our mentor-mentee relationship and shared his progress and plans with me.”
- Eric Schuur '81, Ph.D. '91
How do I participate
- Sign up for (or sign in to) UCLA ONE (on a computer, not a mobile device). Follow this process to register your information through the UCLA ONE portal if you have not already done so.
- Complete / Update your profile by clicking on “Edit Profile” on the top right
- Upload a professional photo
- Include professional, academic, and volunteer experience
- Under the “Seek Mentorship” section, check “UCLA Alumni Mentor Program”
- Under the “About Me” section, answer the student question: “What do you hope to learn from an alumni mentor?”
- Make sure to click “Save” at the bottom of the page to save all changes
- Search and review Alumni Mentor profiles on UCLA ONE using the Directory tab:
- Once on the directory page, make sure to select the tab “Mentors” (located near the top).
- Filter your search using the following categories:
- UCLA: field of study, degree, grad year, communities (e.g. AAP, First Gen, LGBTQIA, Transfer, Veteran)
- Work: company, industry, job function
- Location: city, state, country
- Keyword search
Students can request a mentor by following the steps below:
- Click "Request Mentorship" button on your ideal mentor's profile (located on the right side within the person’s profile). Personalize your message in the message pop-up box and then click "Send." You are allowed to request only ONE alumni mentor at a time.
- Introduce yourself (name, year, major) and include any relevant campus, volunteer or work experience
- Explain what you hope to learn from an alumni mentor and why you feel he/she would be the best fit
- Include reference(s) to information in the mentor’s profile (such as education, job, industry or volunteer experience)
- Conclude by asking if he/she would be interested in mentoring you as part of the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program and thank him/her for their consideration
- DO NOT REQUEST MENTORSHIP WITHOUT INCLUDING A PERSONALIZED MESSAGE
If your requested mentor confirms, you are officially part of the 2024–25 UCLA Alumni Mentor Program and any mentorship pairings made during the 2024-25 academic year commit you to one another until June 2025.
Starting the Mentorship
Welcome to the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program!
As a UCLA graduate student, being a mentee is an opportunity to connect with an alumni mentor. Mentors can be a vital part of your career and personal development, but this is just the start of a year-long endeavor.
As a participant of the Mentor Program, you are agreeing to abide by the tenets of the True Bruin values (integrity, excellence, accountability and respect) and the Principles of Community. If you do not abide by these principles, you will be removed from the program.
Below are next steps for you as you begin your mentorship:
- Fill out our program pre-survey.
- If you have not done so already, thank your mentor for their acceptance, and set up a time to meet for an hour.
- Take a moment to watch the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program Orientation Video and review the Making the Most of Your Mentorship worksheet.
- Prior to this meeting:
- Prepare the following topics:
- Your goals for the mentorship
- Your preferred communication methods (we recommend setting regular meetings at least once a month, and then having additional meetings as needed)
- What aspects of your professional toolkit could you use your mentor’s help on (résumé, interview skills, LinkedIn profiles, etc.)?
- What aspects of UCLA life could you ask your mentor for help on?
- Other specific questions for your first meeting
- Offer to set up the first meeting.
- Prepare the following topics:
- During the meeting:
- Be courteous, yet honest. However, don’t assume that your mentor can do everything you’re hoping.
- Use the Mentorship Agreement as a guide for your conversation.
- Prepare questions to get to know your mentor (favorite UCLA class, favorite place to visit, interesting hobbies, etc.).
- Share your goals for the mentorship and get your mentor’s opinion on whether they can help you.
- After the meeting, set up a plan for your future meetings. Keep your mentor looped in throughout the year and take stock of your mentorship each month to decide how you want to move forward.
Lastly, being in a mentorship takes time and care. Make sure not to ghost your mentor and remember to actively reach out to them. If you stick to your regularly established meetings, you’ll eventually find your groove. Don’t hesitate to reach out if something doesn’t feel right. Students and staff are ready to address your concerns.
Please look to explore our FAQ page for commonly received program questions. For specific questions please contact alumnimentor@alumni.ucla.edu.
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