The USC Career Center and USC Counseling & Mental Health are excited to announce the launch of the new International Student Mentorship Program in Spring 2023! The program aims to support international undergraduate and graduate student career and personal development and wellbeing by fostering mentorship relationships with international Trojan alumni.

Program Timeline:

• Mentee Registration Application: December 16, 2022 – January 15, 2023
• Match Decisions: January 16-20, 2023
• Program Launch and Orientation (mandatory): January 18, 2023
• Mentor-mentee meetings: January-May (at least once per month)
• Career and Personal Development Workshops/Activities: February-April (twice per month)
• Program Closing Celebration: May 19, 2023

Program Calendar:

Becoming an International Student Mentor

The application to join the pilot of this program as a mentor opens on November 16, 2022 and closes on December 15, 2022. The program will be conducted virtually, with the option to attend the kickoff and closing events in person. You can access the registration questions and application through the International Student Mentorship Program Page in the Trojan Network. Be sure to complete the application questions in detail since we will use some of your responses to pair you with our students.

Registration is linked to the Trojan Network, so you will also need to create a Trojan Network account in order to complete the registration for the International Student Mentorship Program. The Trojan Network is USC’s online professional networking and mentor platform where alumni can connect with other alumni and current students.

Before applying for this program, please make sure your Trojan Network profile is up to date with your most recent information: Graduation Year, Program/Degree, Current Position/Company.

Program Impact

The mentor-mentee relationship that is fostered throughout the International Student Mentorship Program gives students the chance to learn from someone who shares similar interests and experience, and provides mentors the opportunity to share their insights, give back to the Trojan community, and promote student success.

Expectations

Objectives for Mentors:

• Proactively connect at least once a month and commit to expectations set with mentee (outreach should be initiated by the mentee, however you can always encourage/remind the student).
• Serve as a coach to guide a current USC international student through their university and career path. Listen with respect and openness.
• Use personal and professional experiences as an international college student to support and provide insight into resources, career exploration, and professional and personal development.
• Help your mentee develop their professional skills such as resume and cover letter writing, elevator pitch, and interview and communication etiquette.

The program requires a commitment of one academic semester (January–May). As a mentor, you have an important role in building community while promoting career exploration and professional development for your mentee. One way this is accomplished is through participating in the virtual workshops for all mentors and mentees. These events focus on career development (i.e., elevator pitch, networking, mock interviewing, etc.) and personal wellbeing (how to manage stress/anxiety, time management, healthy habits, etc.), and provide an opportunity for all program participants to network and interact as a group. We have also developed Mentorship Principlesthat help set the foundation for successful mentoring relationships.

Program Format

All required events will be conducted virtually or in a hybrid format to facilitate participation by alumni who may be living abroad. However, mentor and mentee pairs are welcomed to meet in person at their convenience. Virtual workshops will take place on predetermined dates during the months of February through April. Mentors and mentees can join these workshops live, or watch the recordings asynchronously if they have scheduling conflicts. Outside of our monthly events, mentors and mentees are expected to connect/correspond at least once per month on their own for a professional activity. Suggested professional activities include reviewing resumes, drafting cover letters, and/or practicing interview skills.

As a reminder, use your best judgment when engaging with students. Review our Non-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Guidelines for policies on how to interact with students while developing a mentoring relationship. If an interaction is inappropriate or unprofessional, please notify us. We expect appropriate and professional engagement at all times.

If you have any questions, contact Addie Cheng.