Be sure to read our page on How to Create a Professional Network as well! 

Before your meeting:  

• Ensure you have a quiet space with good lighting, stable Wi-Fi, and that you can hear the professional well. If you’ve never used the web platform before, test it with a friend
  • Pro tip: the library & Web building have rooms in the back that you can reserve
     
• Make sure you look presentable (your shirt tucked in if it’s button down, etc.)
  • Check out our page on how to dress professionally !  
• Use a virtual background to keep your space private.
  • Download and test Zoom, Teams, or Google Meets app/virtual backgrounds before your meeting  
• Bring a notepad and pen (in case you need to jot something down) 
• Bring a cup/bottle of water to ensure your voice quality, in case the chat is long 

Prepare an Introduction about Yourself 

• Name, career goals, major, and past related experiences
  • Learn how to make an elevator pitch ! 
• Introducing yourself should be between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
  • Why did you choose your major? 
  • Include your future goals 
  • Why are you interested in the field?   

Do Research 

• Know what the company is about (mission, goals) 
• Look up news about the company
  • You can use Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, or Yahoo Finance as resources 
• Go to LinkedIn and find information about the person you’re speaking with  

During Your Conversation 

• Listen effectively with the intent to understand, not just reply 
• Be professional, but relaxed and friendly
• Use eye contact 
• Check out this page for samples questions you can ask!  

After The Conversation 

• Send a thank you email! (Preferably within 24-48 hours of the interview)
• Consider connecting with the person on LinkedIn for future connections

During a company visit you’ll: 

• Learn about career paths for your major of interest.
• Gain insights into the organizational structure.
• Hear about internship/job programs, timelines, and how to stand out in the application process.
• Receive networking tips and career advice from industry professionals.

Conduct & Professionalism 

Remember that you are representing Brooklyn College and that you should act in a positive manner, so we can maintain these company relationships. Here are some conduct guidelines to review:  

• Please review our Building Professional Relationships presentation which details best practices when networking and meeting potential mentors. 
• Although a company visit is not an interview, this interaction can open doors, so make a good impression. This is NOT a recruitment event. 
• By attending, you will be representing Brooklyn College, therefore we need 100% attendance. 
  • Can’t attend? Let the organizer know ASAP. 
  • Not showing up to the event will disqualify you from being considered for any future company visits. 

Before the Visit: 

• Be prepared to introduce yourself (name, major, graduation, experience, career interest, etc.) through your elevator pitch.
• Be prepared to answer some basic questions such as why you are interested in attending the visit or about your career interests. 
• Research the company and your host (if shared): prepare 5 thoughtful questions about the company as a whole, working there and/or specifically for the host(s). Here are some samples!
  • Try to use the company name in questions instead of “you guys” (e.g.: what do you guys look for in intern candidates?”)  

Day of the Visit: 

• Be sure to wear business casual attire (avoid jeans, sneakers, tank tops or revealing clothing). 

• Arrive on time: plan your commute and arrive 15 minutes early and wait nearby. As you know, the trains/buses are always delayed, so always plan ahead! 

• Network with professionals and ask for a way you can connect with them in the future (email or LinkedIn).

After the Visit:  

• Follow up via email or on LinkedIn with those you met and leave a message thanking them for their time.  

Networking is an opportunity to improve communication skills, learn about your field of interest, build relationships with professionals  in your field and possibly be referred for a job. If you can get connected with a contact at the company you will be interviewing with, it can certainly give you an edge and help you be better prepared.  

How can I build my network?

• Take Advantage: Every encounter both personal and professional is a chance to network.
• Be Assertive: Contact people even if you do not know them well. Consider using an email or telephone call to say, “Ashley Moore suggested that I contact you for advice (information) on the field of…”
• Be Involved: Participate in professional and social activities and attend on and off-campus events. For example, at Brooklyn College attend events sponsored by academic departments, the Magner Center and Student Affairs/Student Organizations. This will increase your chances of meeting people. You never know what an encounter may lead to.
• Get a BC Mentor: Join the Brooklyn College Alumni Mentor Program to get paired with a BC alum currently working in the career you wish to pursue. This is your chance to network and get career related information.
• Alumni Associations: Join the Brooklyn College Alumni Association, your junior high, high school or any other organized alumni association for programs you participated in (summer camp, after school, community organization).
• Ask for an Informational Interview from people in field or company of interest. Vault details how to have a productive informational interview.
• Be Proactive: Building your network is on-going, not just when you need something. Friends, Family, Supervisors, Co-Workers, Coaches and Acquaintances- chat with these people casually (on the train, in the supermarket, social gatherings, etc.).  Most people enjoy talking about the work they do. 
• Professor and other Faculty Members can provide a wealth of information about their encounters through their research or community involvement. 
• Don’t Overlook the Web: Use the Internet to find alumni and other professional contacts
  • Do a Google search to find professional associations and organizations in your field. Become a member and attend its conferences and events. 
  • Use Google to find alumni and other professionals in your areas of interest.
  • Utilize Facebook and Linkedin to proactively reconnect with old acquaintances or make new contacts.
    • Linkedin.com is a free professional network with over 100 million members that helps you search for job opportunities and connect with past and present colleagues as well as alumni.
    • Meetup is the world’s largest network of local groups, with over 2,000 groups getting together in local communities each day.
  • You can use Twitter as your ongoing portfolio as well. Tweet about interesting projects you are working on.

How do I maintain my network?

• Contact Lists: Organization is key. Every time you get a new business card add it to your address book or an online spreadsheet. Develop email distribution lists for your different groups of contacts.
• Show Gratitude: Be gracious. Write a thank you letter to show your gratitude.
• Give Back: Offer to help your network. For example, if a friend sends you a job opportunity that is of no use to you, forward it to members of your network who might be interested.
• Meet in Person: Invite members of your network to lunch or drinks from time-to-time.
• Keep Contact: Reach out to members of your network individually.  A “just wanted to say hi” email/phone call will do the trick. Birthdays, weddings, holidays and major events are also a good time to touch base with your network.

Before reaching out, be sure to review the Building Professional Relationships Presentation to guide you in reaching out to a potential mentor/professional for an informational interview.

Important Do’s and Don’ts

How can I conduct an informational interview?

1. If you haven’t already, create a LinkedIn profile. Having a LinkedIn profile is a great way to connect with employers, build your network, gain career advice, and learn about new opportunities.
2. Visit the Brooklyn College Alumni LinkedIn page.
3. In the search bar, type in a field that is of interest to you. For example, if you are looking to learn more about a career in investment and finance, type in “banking,” and then “finance.” This will give you access to Brooklyn College alumni who are currently in this particular field.
4. Connect! Request to connect with the alum, but do not send the automated response. Instead, write a short statement explaining why you are interested in conducting an informational interview with them.

If you have acquired the email address of an alum you are interested in speaking to, send them a professional email. We also have templates you can use when contacting/emailing them.

Before Meeting

• Research the career/industry/company beforehand so you are better prepared and can maximize how you use your mentor.
• Think about what you are hoping to gain from the conversation, and prepare a list of questions.
• When you write them back to confirm when you will be talking, include a few questions you plan to ask to help them prepare ahead of time. Your questions can range from learning about a career field, researching an organization, or searching for job opportunities. Write down or print your list of questions to bring to the meeting.
• Contact the alumna/alumnus 1-2 days prior to the meeting to confirm the meeting time and/or place. Let them know you look forward to meeting them.
• Although you should be arriving on time, get their direct phone number just in case you are running late due to an emergency and give them your cell phone number.
• Bring your resume. Sometimes the contact may ask for it or you can offer to leave it behind for the person’s reference.
• Prepare your attire. Dress in business casual attire (no sneakers, jeans, t-shirts etc).
• Write down some thoughts on what you would say, if they say tell me about yourself.

During Meeting

• Plan to arrive about 15 minutes ahead of the actual scheduled time, if in person or 5 minutes before if meeting online. DO NOT BE LATE.
• Bring your list of questions with you
• Have a pen and pad handy and ask them if it would be okay for you to take notes. Most people would think what they are saying is not valuable if you are not jotting it down.
• Bring your resume and list of questions with you
• Always be attentive and pleasant.
• Tips when connecting via the phone or online
  • Have a good connection 
  • If connecting via Zoom, Google Meet etc, test your camera, microphone, connection etc. at least 15 minutes before.
  • Make sure you are in a quiet place where you can give them your undivided attention. 
  • Write up a brief script about what you are going to say when you call. 
• Always ask, at the end of the Informational Interview, for any suggested resources and if the interviewer would be willing to give you the names and email addresses of one or two colleagues or friends who would also be willing to share his or her experiences and information with you.
• This will expand your network quickly.
• Ask them if it would be okay for you to follow-up with them in the future if you had any questions.

After the Meeting

• Take time to reflect on what you have learned. Have you obtained the information you were seeking?
• Send a thank-you letter expressing your appreciation. It’s important to show to the interviewer that you are thankful for their time and advice. Follow up with them after your interview, express your gratitude, and make sure to keep in touch.
• Make notes after the interview for future reference. Record the contact information of the person you met with. Keep this information on file.
• Keep in touch from time to time informing them of your career developments. This is an integral part of developing a life-long network in which both you and your contacts are familiar with each other and can call upon one another when the need arises.

Questions on what inspired them to pursue their current career:

• What was your major? How was it helpful?

• How did you get into this occupation? Get started in this job?/What did you do before your current position?

• How did you prepare yourself for this job? For this profession?

• What is the most valuable thing you learned during your training?

Questions on becoming a competitive applicant:

• What is the most relevant major, course of study or preparation?
• What classes or projects can I undertake to prepare myself for this career area?
• What skills or talents are essential for effectiveness in this job?
• What qualities make someone successful at your company?
• What are the top professional associations, journals and websites in your field?
• What training, education or experience is required for this type of work?
• What recommendations do you have for job searching?

Questions on their Day-to-Day:

• What are your general tasks and responsibilities?
• Do you feel you have a work-life balance? How many hours do you work?
• What do you do? Describe a typical day.
• What do you enjoy about your career?/What don’t you enjoy?
• What do you find to be the best things about your profession? The worst?
• What is the culture/work environment like?

Questions on their Industry:

• What are the top companies in your industry?
• What are the occupations in this field?
• What other career fields are related to what you are currently doing?
• What are the specialties in this area?
• What are some of the growing concerns in this profession?
• How do you see jobs in this field changing in the future?

Questions on Next Steps:

• Do you know if your company has internships and how I could apply for them?
• Is there anyone in your network who may be willing to speak with me as well as I am excited to continue to build my network.
• Would you be open to being shadowed for a few hours?

Want to reach us? Call the Magner Career Center at 718.951.5696 or email us at careernews@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Getting Started with a Mentor

Feeling nervous about reaching out? That’s normal! Most professionals enjoy offering guidance and mentoring students – all you have to do is ask. 

Before reaching out, make sure to review the Building Professional Relationships presentation. You must complete the form at the end of the presentation to participate in any Magner Career Center mentoring initiatives. 

Whenever speaking with a mentor be sure to:

> Be respectful of your mentor’s time. 
> Always follow up. 
> Don’t hesitate to ask questions. 
> Reflect on your mentorship experience and stay open to future connections. 

How to Contact a Potential Mentor

Option 1: LinkedIn Outreach

If you don’t have the mentor’s email, use LinkedIn:

1. Go to their profile 

2. Click “Connect” 

3. Choose “Add a note” and include a short message. 

Sample Message: 

Hi Michael, 

I found your profile while searching for Brooklyn College alumni to chat with. Your career path strongly resonates with me, and I was wondering if you’d be open to answering a few questions about your company and career journey. 

Thank you for considering! 
– [Your Name] 

Option 2: Email Outreach 

Email Subject Line: Brooklyn College Student Seeking Career Conversation 

Sample Email #1: 

Dear Justin, 

My name is Eric Smith and I’m a Business Management major at Brooklyn College with a concentration in Marketing. I came across your profile while researching alumni on LinkedIn and was especially interested in your work at IPG Media Lab. 

I would appreciate 20–30 minutes of your time (phone, Zoom, or in person) to learn more about your career. I am typically available [insert your availability]. 

Looking forward to hearing from you. 

Best regards, 
Eric 

Sample Email #2: 

Dear Susan,

My name is Sally Pierce, and I currently work as a Student Assistant in the Development department at Brooklyn College. I’ve developed an interest in grassroots fundraising and admire your career accomplishments in that space. 

I’d love to hear your story and ask a few questions. Would you be open to a 30-minute coffee chat or a 15-minute phone/Zoom call if that’s easier? I’m typically available [insert your availability].Thank you for your time. 
 

Best regards, 
Sally 

Option 3: Talking by Phone or Video Chat

Once your mentor agrees to a meeting, you may need to call them. Here’s a simple phone script: 

You: May I speak with Ms. Burns? 

You: Hello Ms. Burns, this is John Smith from the Brooklyn College Alumni Mentor Program. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I’d like to go over the questions I sent in advance and would also welcome any advice you’re willing to share. 

(After your discussion) 

Thank you again. Would it be okay if I reach out again in the future? If so, do you prefer phone or email? 

Sending a Thank-You Note 

After your meeting, always send a thank-you note. Here’s an example:

Dear Terry, 

Thank you so much for speaking with me about your role as a Dietician at Maimonides Hospital. I truly appreciate the time you shared and the insight you provided — from daily responsibilities to certification paths. 

Your guidance is helping me evaluate my next steps as I explore multiple healthcare career paths. I’ll follow up in a few months to share my progress. 

Best regards, 
[Your Name]

Pausing or Ending a Mentorship

Scenario 1: You lost touch but want to restart 

Dear [Mentor Name], 

I apologize for our loss of contact. I’ve been caught up with school and personal matters but truly valued our past conversations. If you’re open to it, I’d love to continue our mentorship. 

Looking forward to reconnecting, 
[Your Name] 

Scenario 2: You want to pause the relationship 

Dear [Mentor Name], 

Thank you again for your support. At this time, I realize I’m unable to commit fully due to school/personal obligations. I’d like to pause our mentorship and hope to resume it in the future, if possible. 

Thank you for understanding, 

All best, 
[Your Name] 

Scenario 3: You haven’t heard back in a while 

Dear [Mentor Name], 

Thank you for initially agreeing to be my mentor. After [insert number] follow-up attempts without a response, I understand now may not be the right time for you. I think it’s best to formally close our mentorship. 

Wishing you all the best, 
[Your Name]

Final Tips 

• Be respectful of your mentor’s time. 
• Always follow up. 
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions. 
• Reflect on your mentorship experience and stay open to future connections

Step 1: Create a Profile

Remember:

• Your profile is a resume, interview, and reference document all in one.
• Pay close attention to the content, layout, and organization of your LinkedIn profile. Your profile is your first impression, so periodically update it with new accomplishments.

How to create and update your LinkedIn profile:

• Create your profile by going to the main LinkedIn site.
• Use relevant keywords that match job descriptions in your field to improve your profile’s search visibility. 
• Double check all spelling and grammar.
• Think of an employer scanning your profile – what do they see? Make sure they catch all the important things.
• Manually update your headline with a catchy but professional phrase that conveys your brand. Show your unique qualities.
• Use your summary to expand your headline. Don’t just re-list your experience. Rather, emphasize qualities that you want them to pick up from your resume.
• Link your profile to other social networks that you use professionally.

Check out our article, How can I optimize my LinkedIn profile for my career?

Step 2: Connect

You need to be strategic with your profile. Once you have crafted a profile that represents your skills, the next step is to locate people who also have LinkedIn profiles and “establish connections” with them.

• Start by connecting with friends and family.
• Then, move onto people you’ve worked with in the past or currently.
• Connect strategically. Quality connections are more valuable than quantity – connect with those who know your work or are in your target field.
• Personalize your connection requests by mentioning how you met or why you’re interested in connecting. This increases the chance of a positive response.

Step 3: Get Recommendations

When asking for a recommendation, ask a range of people who can talk about different aspects of your brand. Think about supervisors, mentors, colleagues, professors, or coaches who know:

• your greatest strength
• your ability to work on a team
• how you manage your greatest weakness
• your leadership capabilities

It’s important to be strategic about who you ask since their recommendation will appear on your profile. Try to get at least one recommendation for each work experience.

Step 4: Join Groups

Groups on LinkedIn are a great way to find people with shared interests and to network. Ask these important questions:

• How active is the group? Focus on active groups that have regular posts and engagement. A well-maintained group helps you build valuable connections.
• How many people are in the group? Sometimes a small group of 30 is the perfect intimate setting for good relationship building. For others, they will be looking for a larger group that will expose them to a wide range of diverse people.

Once you choose groups that you want to be a part of, you must try to integrate yourself. Build rapport by joining conversations and adding value to discussions before reaching out to connect.

Step 5: Job Search

Use search to research companies of interest, enabling you to see stats on the company, current employees, and more. You can find potential contacts, Brooklyn College Alumni, and organize informational interviews.

• Use LinkedIn’s ‘Open to Work’ feature to signal your interest privately or publicly, depending on your preferences.
• You can also express interest by using the “I’m Interested” button located under the “About.” This allows you to privately demonstrate interest in working for a company and get on a recruiter’s radar before you even put in an application.

Check out these resources on LinkedIn’s Job Search.

• LinkedIn Premium 
• LinkedIn Learning (free with a Brooklyn Public Library Card)
• About.com Job Searching on LinkedIn

Step 6: Maintain

As mentioned earlier, it’s very important for you to maintain your LinkedIn profile even after you have found a job. Request new recommendations periodically from trusted colleagues or supervisors after significant projects or roles. This keeps your profile fresh and credible. 

Step 7: Additional Tips

• Emphasis on Personal Branding: Create a personal brand on LinkedIn, as it’s increasingly important for differentiating oneself. This can include tips on building a consistent brand through the profile picture, banner image, and content style. 

• Skills and Endorsements: Listing skills and getting endorsements can help profiles appear more credible and appealing to recruiters. 

• Activity Level and Engagement: Staying active by engaging with others’ content (e.g., commenting, liking) and sharing relevant industry updates can help keep their profiles visible and strengthen connections. 

• Utilizing LinkedIn Tools: AI-generated profile summaries and insights on skills in demand. 

• Networking Events: LinkedIn now has event features for webinars, virtual meetups, and industry events. Attending and engaging in these events is a good networking strategy. 

• Following Industry Influencers: Recommend following key influencers and companies in their industry, as this can provide insights and keep them updated on trends. 

• Students must call in/show up on time to any appointments with their mentor (that means arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you are not late). In extreme cases when the appointment needs to be canceled, the student should provide at least 24 hours notice. 
• While it is appropriate to ask for tips on how to look for openings in the field, it is not appropriate to ask them to hire you or to get you a job.
• Students must conduct themselves professionally at all times. This includes behaviors such as being prepared, dressing in (minimally) business casual, writing a professional sounding email, showing up on time, taking notes, etc.
• Students need to review the Tips for Informational Interviews before contacting an alum to ensure they conduct themselves appropriately.
• Students should also review the Building Professional Relationships (BPR) Presentation for help with self-initiating outreach to a potential mentor.

Failure to adhere to these expectations and policies may result in a ban from using Magner Center Services.

Mentee Policy

Students or Mentees

There are over a thousand alumni and professionals in our database, so we cannot prescreen everyone who wants to be a mentor or host a student at a workplace. We encourage you to use normal precautions when contacting and meeting a stranger. Meet with your mentor or professional during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in a public setting. Do not meet at a private/home office. Meet with your mentors in a visible area, such as a café, restaurant, office building, or campus. We suggest that you do not meet after business hours. Do not partake in drug use prior to or during your interactions with alumni/professionals.  Limit the time of conversation to no more than an hour unless you are shadowing them at work, getting a company tour, or attending professional activities such as a conference, work-related event, or workshop. Maintain a professional decorum by engaging in appropriate conversations (e.g., while you might ask about work-life balance it would not be appropriate to ask if they are dating anyone. You might ask about salary range for the position but not the person’s specific salary). If after-work hours are the only convenient time, use the same above precautions. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in termination from the Alumni Mentor, Job Shadowing/Externship programs. When in doubt, speak to someone at the Magner Career Center for guidance on appropriate interactions with a mentor.

Students Discrimination Policy

Students can visit the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs for more information on conduct and resources should they ever need any. 

Brooklyn College prohibits discrimination in all of its programs, including the Magner Center Alumni Mentor Program, Job Shadowing/Externship program on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, unemployment status, or any other legally prohibited basis in accordance with federal, state, and city laws.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. You have the right to be free from harassment on the basis of sex while participating in the Alumni Mentor Program, Job Shadowing/Externship program. CUNY’s policies prohibit sexual harassment or violence of any kind, including sexual assault, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature on or off campus. Some examples of prohibited harassment are:

• Using a person’s response to a request for sexual favor as a basis for an academic or employment decision, including in unpaid student internships.
• Sexual comments, teasing, jokes, slurs of derogatory statements, or other verbal abuse of a sexual nature.
• Graphic or sexually suggestive comments about bodies or clothing.
• Graphic or sexually suggestive gestures.
• Pressure to accept social invitations, meet privately, date, or have sexual relations.
• Sexual touching, brushing up against another in a sexual manner, cornering, grabbing, kissing, or fondling
• Coerced sexual intercourse or sexual assault.
• Inquiries or discussions about sexual activities.

In addition, consistent with New York State law, all sexual activity shall be based on the affirmative consent of both parties. Affirmative consent means knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in the sexual activity. Silence or lack of resistance does not demonstrate consent.

If you believe you have been subjected to sexual harassment or discrimination of any sort while participating in the Magner Career Center’s programs, advise the following contacts immediately:
Magner Career Center, 718.951.5696, 1303 James Hall

• careernews@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinator, 718.951.6468, 2147 Boylan Hall

The coordinator is also responsible for investigating complaints of sexual harassment and/or discrimination.

• Ivana Bologna, Title IX Coordinator

If you are also in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable but may not be harassment or discrimination, contact Natalia Guarin-Klein.

Who Can Be a Mentor?

Brooklyn College alumni are always eager to provide career advice. The Magner Center encourages Alumni to stay connected and stand by as a resource for students. But beyond alums, a mentor can be anyone including family, friends of family, neighbors, professionals you meet at work, or even fellow students.

The Magner Career Center runs the Alumni Mentoring Program twice a year. It offers students the opportunity to meet with alumni who are working in a specific career field. The program has limited slots based on student applications, alumni availability and whether students’ interests align with participating alumni.

Past mentors have worked for organizations including Z100, Goldman Sachs, ESPN, New York City Department of Education, U.S. Department of State, PricewaterhouseCoopers, FEGS, CBS News, KPMG, SUNY Downstate and many more! 

The program offers, but is not limited to, the following: 

• The opportunity to meet/speak with Brooklyn College alumni to receive career advice. 
• “Insider” information from a professional about a career field, industry or specific company, including work environment, skills needed, and career paths.
• The opportunity to ask questions and gain insight regarding how to look and market yourself better for a job.
• Preparation on proper etiquette when meeting with professionals in a formal business setting.
• The chance to help you prepare for interviews in your desired industry/field, when applicable.
• Please note: The Alumni Mentor Program is only open to current Brooklyn College students. 

Interested in Participating?

The Magner Career Center will be sending you an e-mail promoting the next mentoring session, deadlines to apply and the particular theme or industry that will be focused on. If you have any questions in the interim, e-mail careernews@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Photos from Previous Mentor Meetings:

Brooklyn College students visited various sites during our mentor month in April!

Building Professional Relationships Presentation

No matter how you find a mentor, be sure to review the Building Professional Relationships (BPR) presentation. This resource provides vital guidelines and expectations for professional conduct, and also offers guidance on self-initiating outreach.

Events

• Career Exploration Month in November which typically features over 50 alumni
• Alumni Networking Night in April/May which typically features over 75 alumni and students
• The Magner Career Center, academic departments, student clubs, and professional associations all host events throughout the year that give you the opportunity to meet professionals

Online Resources

• Review the Building Professional Relationships Presentation to help you self-initiate outreach to a potential mentor  
• Use LinkedIn to find a mentor via the Brooklyn College Alumni Page
• Review the mentoring video playlist
• Join our Magner Career Center LinkedIn Group

How Can Students Prepare for Contacting/Meeting with Alumni or Professionals?

• We compiled a list of tips to help you when contacting someone you want to talk to. It includes a list of questions, a sample email, what to write in the thank you letter, etc.  
• Take a look at the article “What Mentors Wish Their Mentees Knew” to fully understand how to make your connection a valuable one.
• Students interacting with alumni are expected to adhere to our expectations and should be aware of our policy before participating.