A Career Abroad Is Within Reach
If the thought of living and working abroad appeals to you; if you want to explore the career options your field offers outside the U.S.; and if you’d like advice from someone who’s done it themselves, the Auburn International Mentoring Program may be for you!
Help Your Goals Take Flight
The AIM Program pairs select, motivated students with successful alumni living abroad for a one-year mentorship. This intensive relationship allows the student to explore the opportunities and realities of living and working abroad with expert advice from a member of the Auburn Family.
Apply Today!
Application deadline is Friday, September 13, 2024.
Questions? Contact Kalani Long, Manager of International Initiatives, at kap0075@auburn.edu.
What to Expect
- The AIM program allows students to explore the opportunities and realities of living and working abroad with expert advice from a member of the Auburn Family.
- Following the [academic] year-long program, the Office of International Programs will award student mentees with a certificate of completion, and mentors with a certificate of appreciation.
- Students interested in being part of the AIM Program must submit their completed AIM applications to kap0075@auburn.edu by Friday, September 8, 2023.
- Once applications are reviewed, students chosen to advance to the next stage of the selection process will be asked to complete an interview with the Office of International Programs.
- Students selected to be part of the AIM Program will be notified by early October.
- The selection process is competitive, and the number of available slots is dependent upon the number of available volunteer mentors. While all effort will be made to pair student mentees with mentors who have relevant interests (such as career field or geographic location), some mentees may be paired with successful mentors in different fields.
- Research your mentor’s career field, company and geographic location.
- Make a list of your own short- and long-term goals.
- Think about what you’d like to gain from your mentorship experience. Develop a list of these items.
- Review your calendar and commitments and be prepared with several possible options for meeting times. Remember that your mentor is in a different time zone, so consider this as you review your availability. You may need to be willing to get up early or stay up later to meet with your mentor.
- As the mentee, you are in the driver’s seat in the mentoring relationship. The success of your mentorship will depend on your active participation.
- You are responsible for making first contact with your mentor. Compose an introductory e-mail, telling your mentor about yourself and, briefly, about your goals (Sample Introductory Email). Ask your mentor how he or she prefers to communicate, both for your monthly virtual meetings and for any follow-up questions you may have at other times.
- Your mentor will provide you with invaluable insight into living and working outside the U.S. Your mentor’s role is to guide you toward success in your goals. Your mentor is not there to secure you a job or an internship.
- Always communicate with your mentor in a respectful and professional way. Address your mentor formally unless asked to do otherwise. Always use proper grammar, punctuation and syntax in written communications with your mentor.
- Come to each scheduled meeting with an idea of topics you would like to discuss. A good mentor often spends more time listening than speaking, so come prepared with something relevant to say!
- Always be on time for scheduled meetings. Do not cancel scheduled meetings except in an emergency situation.
- Remember to express your gratitude for your mentor’s help.
- Do not arrange to meet your mentor in person. If an in-person meeting is desired, you must contact Jenn Mason, director of international initiatives, before any plans are made.
- Students from any major may apply.
- Students must have sophomore or higher standing. (*sophomore by year in school, NOT by number of credits.)
- Students must be in good standing with the university in order to participate in the AIM program. If a student is placed on academic warning or probation during the mentorship year, the student will be required to meet with the director of international initiatives to develop an individualized plan for the remainder of the year.
- Students are expected to always use respectful, professional communication with their mentors.
- Students are expected to be on time for all appointments with their mentors.
- Students will meet virtually—by phone, Skype or other audio-communication platform—with their mentors a minimum of once per month. Other communication may be conducted through e-mail. Students are required to maintain a contact log of all communications with their mentors.
- Students should not arrange to meet their mentors in person. If a personal meeting is desired, please first contact the Director of International Initiatives.
- Students will meet with the director of international initiatives at the mid-point of the mentorship year to discuss progress and any issues.
- Students will complete a student evaluation at the end of their mentorship year.
- Auburn University Alumni (*out of school and working for a minimum of two years)
- Currently living and/or working abroad
- Can commit to virtually meeting with mentee a minimum of once per month
