VSU Establishes Alumni Mentoring Network

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University alumnus Wes McDonald, ’07, is one of the first VSU alumni to connect with students and other alumni by posting career information on the university’s Web-based mentoring network.

"I signed up for the alumni mentoring network because I want to give back to the VSU community. VSU prepared me for my current job in every way,” said McDonald, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management and is now an airport operations agent with City of Atlanta, Department of Aviation. “I plan to help students and alumni get into the aviation industry in any way I can. If I cannot help them directly, I have many contacts in the airlines and other airport tenants who are willing to help."

VSU Career Services established the Alumni Mentoring Program on College Central Network - the nation's leading application service provider of career services, such as resume building and referrals, for college students and alumni. J. Kevin Taylor, associate director of Career Services, said the network alleviates the frustration many students and recent graduates experience when they cannot locate professionals willing to share career advice. Taylor said the password-protected site will hopefully foster lasting personal and professional relationships among VSU alumni and students.

Students interested in registering on the network should contact VSU Career Services at (229) 333-5942 or stop by the office on the second floor of Powell Hall West.

Alumni may create a mentoring profile online by following the simple instructions below. Mentors will be able to list their name, job title, employer and answers to job-related questions, such as their first job, current job duties and career progression. Those who register have the option to list their e-mail addresses as a means of contact, but viewers will not be able to see mentors’ phone numbers or addresses. Alumni may update information at any time using their identification number and password.

For more about the Alumni Mentoring Network, call Career Services at (229) 333-5942 or e-mail Taylor at ktaylor@valdosta.edu.
Follow these instructions to become an alumni mentor today!

1. Go to www.collegecentral.com/valdosta

2. Click the “Alumni” icon, then the “Mentoring Network” link

3. Select “Join Our Mentoring Network”

4. Enter the password “Mentor” and click “Add My Mentoring Profile”