Alumni invited to offer expertise to students through N-Link

Office of Communications & Marketing |Northeastern State University
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Northeastern State University alumni are invited to participate in N-Link, a new mentoring program which allows NSU students to tap into the expertise of Northeastern graduates.

N-Link, a collaborative effort between the Alumni Association and NSU Career Services, is designed to connect established alumni professionals with NSU students. It will be introduced to students at the start of the fall 2013 semester.

The Alumni Association requests the participation of NSU graduates who can offer insight into professional careers and fields, and expectsN-Link to become one of its most popular resources.

"For our students, it will be a fantastic tool to connect with established NSU alumni and learn about a chosen profession or line of work," said Daniel Johnson, director of alumni services. "For our alumni community, N-Link provides a meaningful way to give back, in terms of their time and talent, and perhaps have a profound influence on a student's life."

Gayle Anderson, director of NSU Career Services, said her office is excited to partner with the Alumni Association to launch N-Link.

"It will allow students to access the vast professional experience of NSU alumni for valuable advice on the career selection process, job-search strategies, resume improvementand other tips," Anderson said. "Mentoring NSU students is a great way for alumni to reconnect with university, and give back in a tangible and personalized way. Furthermore, these mentoring relationships can potentially continue into the students' early careers."

The mentor relationship is initially facilitated through an online platform through which students can search potential mentors based on careers, job title, location or company. Mentors control the level of contact, which can be entirely virtual or more direct and personal.

Johnson said alumni easily understand the experiences and challenges of college, and N-Link will help them illustrate to students the value of their degrees.

"We are excited about the potential of real and meaningful networking relationships between the students and alumni mentors," he said. "By discussing careers with alumni, students can have an honest exchange with someone who can tell them what a profession is really like."

Mentors should be able to answer student questions about their respective professional fields and the trends, which classes were most helpful, resume and interview prep, necessary skills, and perhaps even facets of their jobs that they don't enjoy.

Conversely, students will complete an orientation process prior to enrolling in N-Link, and be expected to research a mentor's company and prepare intelligent questions, keep mentor contact information confidential, respect the mentor's work schedule and not solicit a job or internship.

Alumni interested in serving as mentors can visit nsualumni.com to complete an initial interest form. Additional details will be provided to participants prior to the fall introduction to students.

For more information call the Alumni Association at 918-458-2143.