Mentorship Program - School of Urban Studies

Welcome to UW Tacoma School of Urban Studies Mentorship Program!

The School of Urban Studies Mentor Program helps students succeed in their chosen field through one-one-one guidance, advice, and insight from a mentor.  All mentors are graduates from UW Tacoma School of Urban Studies and have knowledge and experience in sustainable urban development, urban studies, urban design, geographical information systems, and geospatial technologies.  Mentorship pairs discuss student career goals and interests and then work together to pursue those goals through career exploration, networking, and professional skill development.

• Role of the Mentor: Provide insight and guidance for the mentee based on personal experience and knowledge of the field and the job market. 
• Role of the Mentee: Receive guidance and advice from a School of Urban Studies graduate mentor to assist in career development, goal setting, understanding organizational cultures, and career related decision making.

The goal of this mentorship program is to enrich and support the professional, academic, and personal experiences of UW Tacoma students within the School of Urban Studies in order to assist them in their transition from academic to professional life.

Program Overview

Mentorship is a process in which an experienced individual helps another person develop their goals and skills through on-going, supportive conversations and learning exercises.  The goal of the School of Urban Studies (SUS) Mentor Program is to assist students in making a successful and informed transition from college to career, preferably in their field of interest. The program aspires to provide a mentor to any SUS student wanting guidance from a SUS graduate and/or industry professional.

The mentor program is a year long program (Autumn - Spring).  Mentees may choose to participate in multiple years, and would ideally become mentors themselves after graduation. Students are matched with a mentor whose professional experience aligns with the mentees field of interest based on the mentor program registration.

Program Timeline

*Student and Alumni Social Hour: A time for current Urban Studies students, prospective students, alumni, faculty and advisors to come together to celebrate our co-learning environment and discuss the School of Urban Studies majors, minors, certificate, career paths, networking, mentorship, etc. 

**Possible Topics for First Meeting of Mentors & Mentees:

• What classes are you taking?
• Get to know each other!
• What is your career journey?
• General questions and/or concerns about how the year is progressing
• And More!

***Possible Topics for Second Meeting of Mentors & Mentees:

• Discuss diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Goals
• How to maintain a healthy work-life balance
• And More!

For each moth of this year’s SUS Mentorship Program (November 2024 – May 2025), you will be sent a list of optional discussion topics. These discussion topics are optional, but highly recommend to encourage a successful and progressive partnership

Information for Students (the Mentee)

Mentee Requirements

To be considered as a mentee, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Enrolled at UW Tacoma
• Be declared/accepted into one of the School of Urban Studies degrees and/or certificates (pre-majors are also welcome):
  • Sustainable Urban Development
  • Urban Studies
  • Urban Design
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate
  • Community Planning (MA)
• Complete the online registration for the School of Urban Studies Mentor Program.  Please note that incomplete profiles will not be considered for matching.

Mentee Expectations

Why Participate?  You will gain a professional resource to help expand your knowledge and skills, provide valuable advice, and work to build and expand your professional network.

Your mentor is a promoter for your goals who will encourage you to set and achieve those goals while informing you about possible career options and possibilities.

Mentees are asked to commit to the mentor program through the end of the academic year.

Mentee Duties

• Initiate and maintain communication with your mentor.
• Establish a schedule for in-person or virtual meetings with your mentor.  Decide what frequency works best for the both of you.
• Take initiative by scheduling meetings and arriving prepared.
• Ask questions and receive feedback.
• Set goals with your mentor.
• Demonstrate professionalism by being timely, open to feedback, expressing willingness to learn, and following through on commitments.
• Submit a short reflection summary to the program organizers at the end of the mentorship program describing your experience.

Information for Alumni (the Mentors)

Mentor Requirements

To be considered as a mentor, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be a graduate of one of the School of Urban Studies degrees and/or certificates
• Be willing to help UW Tacoma students achieve their goals

Mentor Expectations

Why Participate?  Mentoring can be a fun and rewarding experience! You have the opportunity to advise, influence and support current UW Tacoma students within their academic and professional journey.

You may also find that your own career will be enhanced by the time and effort you put into a mentoring relationship as you sharpen your coaching skills and become familiar with a new coterie entering into the workforce. You will also contribute significantly to the success of the next generation of urbanists!

Mentors are asked to commit to the mentor program through the end of the academic year and are encouraged to continue annually.

Mentor Duties

• Your mentee will connect with you to establish a schedule for in-person or virtual meetings. Please decide what frequency works best for both of you.
• Introduce your mentee to potential career opportunities (via research, informational interviews, job shadowing, professional organizations and networks, knowledge, etc.).
• Help your mentee set and achieve goals
• Provide constructive feedback to enhance your mentees professional development and career preparedness.
• Share examples of success and failures from your own experience.