As you are weighing options, I recommend to my students to investigate some of the lesser-known features of the colleges offering admission. Mentorship opportunities may be a defining factor - do you need a mentor in college? Some benefits of having a mentor in college include: assistance with navigating your courses, finding internships and other resume-building options.
College mentorship may come in different forms. Greek life is one option. If you are interested in Greek life and joining an organization along these lines, ensure your college provides ample information about the quality, security and oversight. The first stop is the college or university website and somewhere under campus life, there should be an explanation of the school's requirements as well as punishment for infractions. Fraternities and sororities offer networking and social experiences that foster growth. Networking may lead to future internship or job opportunities and if elected to a position within the organization, students may build their resume. Greek organizations connect new members with mentors in future career paths. I will be posting a blog in the upcoming weeks for pros and cons of Greek life.
Another mentorship opportunity exists with honor societies. While some are similar to a fraternity or sorority and may even have a Greek name, these societies do not have residential facilities and are directly linked to a program, discipline or niche area. Some popular societies include Phi Theta Kappa and the National Society for Leadership and Success. There are tons more! These are two that are common at both 2-year schools and 4-year schools. Both offer access to scholarships available to members only as well as resume-building opportunities. Additionally, alumni from the school's chapters may have direct influence on current membership through networking, fellowship, internship or industry tour assistance. These options will be chapter specific and worth talking to the advisor on campus to see how membership will benefit you.
Finally, I have two other options and one leads to the other. If you have identified your intended major, ask to speak with the program chair or if there is an assigned academic advisor for the program, set up an appointment with them. Between March and June is a great time to catch these folks. Faculty usually have summers off and advisors are likely giving tours to interested students for the next admission cycle. Some things to ask your potential faculty mentor include:
Can you tell me about your background in this field? (probably want to start with some small talk...)
Do you have connections with local industry partners for internships?
What career path do you recommend for me in my first, second, transfer, etc? Have a general idea and allow the faculty member to provide their insight.
If you will need to transfer to another school, maybe ask for suggestions. Faculty in entry-level disciplines will know what is required to get into top schools...political science generally know about law school (LSAT as well) criteria; social work and psychology also well-versed in transfer programs for grad school to meet industry requirements to practice; natural science faculty also have insight into medical career paths.
And then ask some development questions...what books to recommend I read? Are there resume builders you suggest? What are some things you would do differently?
While a faculty member may be crunched for time, they are generally more informed than academic advisors. However, a dedicated advisor to a program (e.g. aviation) may have the connections and time to devote to mentorship - not to mention, it is likely part of their job to ensure placement after graduation.
There are other options for finding a mentor as well. Maybe you really liked an instructor or particular advisor - ask if they would help you on your path. Perhaps, you really liked a guest speaker, send an email afterwards. Or, there is a club on campus that has connected you to like-minded individuals, send an email or participate in a larger event sponsored by the club. Get involved in the community! College is a time for exploration as well as development - finding a mentor will help you on your career path.
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