Looking back on his tenure at the University of North Carolina where he earned his bachelor's degree, Prof. Bruce Strauch remembers that there were elements of education that students of the humanities were not receiving.
"You were just supposed to figure everything out on your own," he said. "It's a fault of the liberal arts and social sciences to this day that they don't make any huge effort to help their people with careers."
To remedy this potential problem for undergraduate and graduate students in The Citadel's School of Business Administration, Strauch founded the Mentor's Association, a program that pairs students with professionals who provide guidance in their current studies, their current jobs, and their future careers.
Strauch said that everyone gets a job, but, he asks, "Are you prepared to even know what you are doing?"
Strauch initiated the program without any finite plan or model as a guide. "There was nothing, so anything would be better, I thought," he said.
The goal of the program has become one based around the enrichment of students by providing access to individuals who have demonstrated that they have what it takes to be successful. The experience of sharing in an exchange of ideas with executives is of immeasurable long-term value to students. This initiative also provides an opportunity for successful executives to "give back" to the community. These mentors are encouraging students to develop career ideas and to enhance their prospects for success.
The list of professionals participating in the program presents a vast cross-section of the business world, with the binding tie being success in their respective industries. From CEO's of major corporations to presidents and vice-presidents of lesser-known industry leaders, the program offers students insight into the qualities needed for success as well as the day-to-day challenges often encountered.
Strauch said that the success of this program has been aided by The Citadel's location in Charleston. "What we did, and I saw here, I don't think would work on most campuses, and that is all of these retirees that we have," he said. "They have just been a gold-mine of successful people and we say that frequently."
Students sign up for the program by filling out an application and providing a copy of their resume. Connie Anthony, Mentor's Association coordinator, then matches them with professionals based upon common interests or intended career path. The relationship between the mentor and mentee is then allowed to develop naturally.
"The Mentor's Association has exceeded our wildest dreams," said Dean Earl Walker. "Here we have over 115 retired executives who are spending time, one on one, with our cadets and our MBA students. There is no question that these mentors are transforming young lives."
"I think it has just gone great, and is going to get better and better," said Strauch, and the program is entering what he calls the second phase, which, while not part of the Mentor's Association, is a whole career orientation for business majors when they join the business school.
"We have had students who have gone on to remarkable opportunities, some found by the mentors, some not," Dean Walker said. "As this is not a jobs program, that is just another testament to the dramatic impact the mentors are having on helping students envision a career, a career that is spectacular and fully exploits their many talents.”
"The mentor's thing just keeps growing," Strauch said. "It's wonderful."
