Mentors
Your mentoring is so important. Thanks for doing it! Recruiters tell us some students ask poor questions like "What does your company do?" Thus, it is critical that all actuarial students to meet their mentor before attending the Career Fair. We also need you to advise students, because some just picked actuarial science & don't know about the exams. It's important they learn how tough actuarial science is, because it's easier to change majors now, than later.
Instructions for Mentors
1. Reaching out and providing aid to a mentee is YOUR responsibility
As a mentee, is it 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, is it 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 up a mock interview. Reserve a room through 25live for 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.