Program Details
Welcome to the Bulldog Mentor Program at Mississippi State University!
Each fall and spring semester, student mentees are partnered with alumni mentors for individualized mentorship experiences via the Bulldog Network, a professional networking platform exclusive to Mississippi State University. Each student participant is matched with an alumni mentor whose professional and life experiences align with what the mentee hopes to gain from the program. Participants are matched based on a combination of factors, including personal preferences, professional goals, and career and industry interests.
Fall 2024 Registration Deadline: September 6
The goals of the Bulldog Mentor Program are to:
- Build meaningful connections between Mississippi State University’s students and alumni
- Support students’ academic, career, and leadership development
- Provide hands-on, impactful engagement opportunities for alumni
- Promote a diverse and inclusive environment at Mississippi State University and within the Bulldog community
Why participate?
You will gain a professional resource who will help to expand your knowledge and skills, give you valuable advice, and work to build and expand your professional network.
Your mentor is an advocate who will encourage you to set and achieve goals and can offer information about career options and possibilities.
What is required of me as a mentee?
- Take initiative by scheduling meetings with your mentor and arriving prepared. Show a genuine interest, and ask questions!
- Connect regularly with your mentor via video, message, or in-person visits in a public location.
- Create and achieve your goals for the program. Mark these as complete as you progress through the program.
- Demonstrate professionalism by being timely, open to feedback, expressing a willingness to learn, and following through on commitments.
The Fall 2024 Bulldog Mentor Program is a ten-week experience, beginning Monday, September 16, 2024 and ending Friday, November 22, 2024.
Dates to Remember:
- April 22, 2024 – September 6, 2024:
Alumni and students may register for the Fall 2024 Bulldog Mentor Program.
- August 21, 2024 – September 6, 2024:
Bulldog Mentor Program Student Orientations take place. In order to participate in the program, students must attend a virtual or in-person orientation session. To register for a student orientation session, click here.
- September 9, 2024:
Match Week begins! The Bulldog Mentor Program administrative team will match student mentees with alumni mentors.
- September 16, 2024:
The Fall 2024 Bulldog Mentor Program kicks off! Each participant will receive a message via the Bulldog Network introducing them to their mentee or mentor. We recommend that mentees and mentors participate in 5 sessions together throughout the course of the program. However, mentees and mentors can gauge their progress to best fit their personal goals for the program!
- November 22, 2024:
The Fall 2024 Bulldog Mentor Program ends.
Week-by-Week Schedule:
- September 16-September 20: Week One
- September 23-September 27: Week Two
- September 30-October 4: Week Three
- October 7-October 11: Week Four/Fall Break
- October 14-October 18: Week Five
- October 21-October 25: Week Six
- October 28-November 1: Week Seven
- November 4-November 8: Week Eight
- November 11-November 15: Week Nine
- November 18-November 22: Week Ten
Interested in joining the Fall 2024 Bulldog Mentor Program?
Attend a required in-person or virtual student orientation session.
Click here to register for a Bulldog Mentor Program Student Orientation.
Join the Bulldog Network (log-in with your MSU NetID and password).
Click here to create your Bulldog Network student profile.
Enroll for the Fall 2024 Bulldog Mentor Program!
Click here to complete the Bulldog Mentor Program registration survey.
Success Stories
“Participating as a mentee in the Bulldog Mentor Program has made me so much more confident in working towards my aspirations and goals. I’ve also gained the ability to become more comfortable on campus with all the support from my mentor!”
“Serving as a Bulldog Mentor was incredibly fulfilling! I was partnered with my mentee during her first year of college and was able to offer support and advice based on my own experiences. Introducing my mentee to research opportunities, assisting her in creating plans to achieve her goals, and witnessing her academic and personal growth throughout the program was truly rewarding. This experience was enriching for both of us, as we were able to learn and grow from each other in meaningful ways.”
“Being a mentor is a fulfilling and rewarding experience when the mentee is engaged and prepared to learn from my work experiences. My mentee selected the topic for each of our sessions and sent me questions before we met. Some of the topics we covered included industry insights, communication, relationships in the workplace, and resume review. It is gratifying to see how much my mentee developed during the semester, and we plan to stay in contact to follow his long-term progress.”
“My mentor answered questions that were very important to me – not only about my field of study, but also about work-life balance, how to better present myself to companies as a potential employee, and the importance of being engaged in the present beyond my studies and enjoying doing so.
As a mentee, if you come with questions, respect, and a willingness to learn, it is an amazing experience, and I highly encourage my fellow students to find out for themselves! Thank you to my mentor and all the other mentors for taking the time to invest in myself and my peers.”