Mentorship Program
In the past years, our mentor program has been extremely helpful as it gives underclassmen an opportunity to learn from older students who have been in the same shoes as them. We know how overwhelming it can be in this major so having someone that can answer all your questions and prepare you for the future is so important. Being a mentor gives you a unique experience to learn leadership and communication skills as you guide your mentees through the process.
The mentorship program starts every fall semester. If you wish to be a mentee or mentor fill out the form attached below. Keep reading past this to find out the benefits of becoming a mentee and the requirements for mentors!
The mentorship program starts every fall semester. If you wish to be a mentee or mentor fill out the form attached below. Keep reading past this to find out the benefits of becoming a mentee and the requirements for mentors!
Benefits of Becoming A Mentee
1. Scheduling Classes
While the Penn State Actuarial Program boasts diverse career paths (Mathematics, Statistics, Smeal), it may be prove difficult for new students to navigate through the different courses. Challenges may include: declaring your major on time, achieving additional minors, finding extra classes to learn coding, and creating a balanced schedule each semester. Your mentor will most likely be in your same major (possibly even similar minors), so will be a great resource for you to have the perfect schedule during your time at Penn State.
2. Passing Exams
Your mentor will be a resource from day one to answer questions about exams. Your assigned mentor will have previous success in passing exams and will understand what it takes to get through the process. Whether it be help learning the material, understanding how to schedule an exam through Prometric, or finding the best study materials, a mentor can be critical to passing 2, 3, 4, or more exams while in college. Who knows, maybe you will even be able to nab your mentors old study materials for a discount, or maybe even for free!
3. Resume and Interviewing Help
Beyond classes and exams, knowing how to build a strong resume and master the art of interviewing is a process learned through experience. Your mentor will have revised resumes numerous times before, and be well-versed in how to prepare for and take part in an interview. Set up times to do mock interviews with your mentor, send them a copy of your resume to review, and you'll be swimming in internship and job offers in no time!
4. General Advice and Support
There are few actuaries who become successful without the assistance of others. Your mentor will be present to support you should you fail an exam or to celebrate with you if you pass one. Don't hesitate to reach out if you face any difficulties! Feel free to talk to them about any challenges you may have in classes, exams, or any other areas. The actuarial community is relatively small, so building out your network can ensure you build a strong reputation for yourself.
While the Penn State Actuarial Program boasts diverse career paths (Mathematics, Statistics, Smeal), it may be prove difficult for new students to navigate through the different courses. Challenges may include: declaring your major on time, achieving additional minors, finding extra classes to learn coding, and creating a balanced schedule each semester. Your mentor will most likely be in your same major (possibly even similar minors), so will be a great resource for you to have the perfect schedule during your time at Penn State.
2. Passing Exams
Your mentor will be a resource from day one to answer questions about exams. Your assigned mentor will have previous success in passing exams and will understand what it takes to get through the process. Whether it be help learning the material, understanding how to schedule an exam through Prometric, or finding the best study materials, a mentor can be critical to passing 2, 3, 4, or more exams while in college. Who knows, maybe you will even be able to nab your mentors old study materials for a discount, or maybe even for free!
3. Resume and Interviewing Help
Beyond classes and exams, knowing how to build a strong resume and master the art of interviewing is a process learned through experience. Your mentor will have revised resumes numerous times before, and be well-versed in how to prepare for and take part in an interview. Set up times to do mock interviews with your mentor, send them a copy of your resume to review, and you'll be swimming in internship and job offers in no time!
4. General Advice and Support
There are few actuaries who become successful without the assistance of others. Your mentor will be present to support you should you fail an exam or to celebrate with you if you pass one. Don't hesitate to reach out if you face any difficulties! Feel free to talk to them about any challenges you may have in classes, exams, or any other areas. The actuarial community is relatively small, so building out your network can ensure you build a strong reputation for yourself.
Requirements for Mentors
At this time we ask that mentors only apply if they have passed at least one exam and completed at least one actuarial internship.
Instructions for Mentors
1. Reaching out and providing aid to a mentee is YOUR responsibility
As a mentee, it is challenging to know what you don't know. Therefore, mentees frequently struggle asking for help or understanding what they could be doing better as actuarial students. It is your responsibility as a mentor to reach out and offer help to your mentee. Here are some suggestions for steps to take to help your mentee:
As a mentee, it is challenging to know what you don't know. Therefore, mentees frequently struggle asking for help or understanding what they could be doing better as actuarial students. It is your responsibility as a mentor to reach out and offer help to your mentee. Here are some suggestions for steps to take to help your mentee:
- Ask for their complete schedule plan until graduation, and ensure they understand which classes they need to take and how they can maximize their time at Penn State. If they do not have a complete plan, sit down with them and help them create one.
- Ask for their resume. Provide respectful, constructive feedback to your mentee on how they can improve their resume. Feel free to use your own resume as an example. If they do not have a current resume, provide them a template for one and help them create it.
- Set aside 30 minutes to do a mock interview with your mentee. Feel free to set up extra time to provide feedback in order to use the full 30 minutes for the mock interview. Have your mentee pick a company for you to represent and have basic knowledge of that company.
- Ensure they are attending events put on by the actuarial science club, such as information sessions, the career fair, and interview workshops
- Check in on their study habits and how they are doing in classes. Provide all the tips and tricks you've learned over the years on how to be successful
- Talk them through the process. Help them find leadership positions on campus, understand the industry and the exam process, and always be a friendly face on campus
2. Use your network
Your mentee may need help or have questions about an area you are not an expert in. In this case, use your network in the actuarial community to find them additional resources. If you are struggling to find the best information, reach out to an officer board member for assistance.
Your mentee may need help or have questions about an area you are not an expert in. In this case, use your network in the actuarial community to find them additional resources. If you are struggling to find the best information, reach out to an officer board member for assistance.
3. Being a mentor is a commitment
Don't sign up for a mentor if you are not certain you have the appropriate time to devote to your mentee. Some mentees require more assistance than others, so you should be prepared to provide sufficient time to them based on their needs.
Don't sign up for a mentor if you are not certain you have the appropriate time to devote to your mentee. Some mentees require more assistance than others, so you should be prepared to provide sufficient time to them based on their needs.