Overview
We are very pleased to announce the continuation of the Penn Theta Mentoring Program into its second year. Last spring, we had a successful commencement kickoff after the Annual Golf Outing. We now have over two thirds of our active brotherhood participating in the mentoring program. With over 20 alumni already actively mentoring, we want to strengthen the program by recruiting new alumni to offer this exciting program to our newest members. With over 20 alumni mentors already participating, we want to take this opportunity strengthen the program with additional alumni mentors. We feel the program would benefit if we had a large mentor pool from which to draw so that the best matches possible are made. Our committee uses an elaborate matching system that could benefit from an additional 50-75 mentor candidates.
The Mentoring Program offers a level of engagement and member development designed to be a beneficial experience for both alumni and undergraduate participants. In addition to providing a positive mentoring experience to undergraduates, the Mentoring Program reinforces the conviction that our fraternal brotherhood and its ideals continue to impact us throughout our lives. As the first paragraph of The Phi Kappa Psi Creed reads: “ I believe that Phi Kappa Psi is a brotherhood of honorable men, courteous and cultured, who pledge throughout their lives to be generous, compassionate and loyal comrades…”
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- To Provide undergraduates the support, guidance and resources to not just get by, but thrive in a complex world
- To provide alumni a meaningful and valuable way to serve others and continually grow personally and professionally
- To make this fun and low stress for all participants
WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE ALUMNUS?
- Opportunity to get/stay involved in Penn Theta and make a meaningful impact without a major time commitment
- Chance to network with fellow Phi Psi alumni in similar professions (the more alumni the better)
- Prime recruiting opportunity for interns and entry-level talent
- Keep ties into what is going on at Penn Theta
- Assist in the development of the next generation of leaders
WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE?
- Get plugged in to the network of Phi Psi alumni
- Get coaching on job acquisition skills like resume writing, interviewing, etc.
- Get advice on majors, classes to take, minor/specialization, grad schools, transition to professional life, etc.
- Begin building your professional network to help find future internships and jobs
- Get advice on school, work on personal issues
HOW IS OUR MENTORING PROGRAM UNIQUE?
We are truly blessed in the Penn Theta chapter to have a substantial number of very accomplished alumni who continue to be active in the chapter. These alumni, who are leaders in their respective fields, and from whom the undergraduates can learn much, do not necessarily have the ability to devote their full time to the mentoring relationship. Accordingly, in addition to traditional one-on-one mentoring, the Penn Theta program will offer a “leadership circle” of accomplished alumni who are not assigned to one undergraduate, but who will nonetheless make themselves available to answer undergraduate inquiries on an individual basis. As for alumni who are generously willing and able to make the full commitment to the mentoring relationship, they will not be randomly assigned to a student, but will instead be assigned to a student based on their mutual interests and compatibility.
GEOGRAPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
It is not a problem at all if you do not live in the greater Lehigh Valley, or even in the Northeastern United States. Even if you cannot meet with a mentee in person, you can still participate by phone and email. It’s a virtual world right? Also, we have many students who are from, or are interested in, wide-reaching areas, and so participation from a wide range of geographical areas is greatly desired.
TIME COMMITMENT
Time is always a big question – I know we are all busy! Each mentor-mentee pair will set their own meeting schedule so you will have input as to when and where to meet. (Desired frequency for meetings is also a criterion upon which mentors and mentees are paired). I general, I would recommend meeting 4 times per year in person with some interaction by phone or e-mail in between, if possible. If you live in or near the Lehigh Valley, you should endeavor to make all in-person meetings. If you are out of state, we can work out conference calls, etc.
WHY DO IT?
This is the program we all wish we had when we were undergraduates. The current undergrads are very enthusiastic and are highly appreciative of any time we can spend with them. I have personally sat down with many undergraduates from our chapter and others talking about resumes, interview skills, majors, Phi Psi, etc. I can tell you from personal experience that this is a tremendously rewarding way to give back without a big time commitment. Our undergraduates have just about the highest GPA in the Greek system, they dominate the ranks of the IFC and other student organizations, and they are really trying to learn what the means to be a Phi Psi for life. I promise your time invested as a mentor will not be wasted!
NEXT STEPS
Brothers, please give serious consideration to signing up – you can make a real difference for Penn Theta. If you are ready to enhance the life of an undergraduate, click here. I look forward to hearing from you.
Fraternally,
Brandon L. Sipple, Penn Theta ‘03
Vice President and Alumni Relations Chair
Pennsylvania Theta Alumni Association of Phi Kappa Psi
Email: brandon.sipple@gmail.com
Phone: 908.797.3852
Undergraduate Committee Email: PKPpennthetapentoring@gmail.com