The DTH Alumni Association is pleased to launch a new mentorship program. You can sign up to be a mentor here.
Jenny Surane, class of 2015 and alumni steering committee member answered questions about the new program.
We’re so happy you’re interested in learning more about being a mentor with The Daily Tar Heel. Here’ you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about the program.
1. What are you looking for in a mentor?
We’re looking for experienced professionals who are interested in introducing a budding journalist or advertiser to the industry. We’re hoping you will come with lots of stories about starting out in the field and a few nuggets of wisdom to impart on our students as they begin their job/internship searches.
2. Wait. Do I still have to be in journalism?
Not at all. We have students interested in all sorts of different positions and industries at the DTH. WE would love to be able to match those students with qualified mentors.
3. What is the time commitment?
We’re asking our mentors to set up at least one phone call a month with their mentees. These conversations will be a chance for our students to update their mentors on the job/internship search and get advice on how to succeed. It can also be a chance to send some of their latest work to their mentors and get critiqued.
We’re also asking all of our mentors to attend the DTH’s 125th Birthday celebration in February to meet their mentees in person. We’ll have dedicated programming for our mentors at the celebration.
4. This birthday celebration. When is it? And what will it be like?
Alumni from all over will be descending on Chapel Hill for our third annual DTH Alumni Association homecoming and conference. It will be from Feb. 23-25. For our 125th birthday, we’re going to hold a special gala at the Carolina Inn and we’ll also have a conference featuring notable alums including Helene Cooper and Frank Bruni. For our mentors, we’re going to have special lunches and 1:1 time to meet with your mentees.
5. How will I be assigned a mentee?
We’re going to match students based on students professional interests and mentor’s industry experience.
6. What will I get out of it?
You’re going to have the chance to help jumpstart a young person’s career. You’ll also be giving back to the newspaper that gave so much to all of us.
Questions? Email jennifersurane@gmail.com or maddy.will@gmail.com for more information. We have more than 30 DTHers who have requested a mentor. Go ahead and sign up now!