布洛赫学院将其对指导机会的关注提升到了一个令人兴奋的新水平，推出了全校范围的指导计划，向所有学生开放。 这项新计划旨在为各行各业的学生提供服务，从第一代大学生到正在攻读MBA的在职专业人士。
“Mentoring can be transformational with individuals across all industries and business functions, so it’s important that there are options for students interested in a variety of business areas,” said Ashley Nance, professional development manager for the Bloch School. “This program is also a fantastic way for alumni to give back to the university and pass along key lessons to future business leaders.”
该项目于2021年秋季作为试点启动，共有87名学生和68名导师参与。 目标是每学期增加150个学生配对，并在第一年建立一个超过500名导师的团队。 The program uses a sophisticated algorithm through 威尼斯人娱乐城’s Roo Network alumni platform to match students and mentors, who then set up connections.
“Our mentors and mentees are encouraged to interact in whatever way it makes sense for them. A majority of pairs choose to communicate through phone, email, text or video chat, but some connect in person as well,” Nance said.
在最初的配对中，学生埃琳娜•埃克沃尔与导师、杰恩建筑公司（JE Dunn Construction）的营销专家悉尼•曼宁配对。
“As a transfer student coming into 威尼斯人娱乐城, I wanted to get involved with a program that could help connect me to professionals in the Kansas City area,” Eckwall said. “Marketing is an area where the possibilities are endless, and I wanted to learn what it’s like navigating through this field right out of college.”
该算法为Eckwall匹配了一位导师，这位导师不仅在她的研究领域工作，而且在其他方面也有共同的兴趣和价值观。
“At our first meeting, it didn’t take long for me to feel comfortable with Sydney. I instantly felt that she was committed to developing the relationship,” Eckwall said. “She took the time to give thoughtful and meaningful answers to my questions. She also made it easy to bond and have fun in our meetings.”
When Manning first heard about the program, her immediate thought was “how much I wished I had this program when I was a student.”
“As a student, it was hard for me to see past college or what my life would look like in a few years. Everyone was so focused on what their dream job was or what their 10 year plan was, when I was still trying to figure out where I would be in six months,” Manning recalled. “Being able to offer my unique perspective as a young professional was very interesting to me.”
Eckwall从师徒计划中获得了巨大的价值。
“Learning about how Sydney navigated through college and onto work at JE Dunn helped me reflect on steps I need to take moving toward my future,” she said. “She taught me the value of networking and of taking opportunities when they arise.”
师徒配对的正式时间为4个月，但许多学生和导师在这段时间之后还会继续见面。 布洛赫指导计划向所有人开放，从职业生涯初期的专业人士到经验丰富的领导者。
Those interested can email Ashley Nance at amnance@umkc.edu for more information or sign up through the Roo Network alumni platform.