Feliciano School of Business to Launch Student Alumni Mentorship Program

The Hospitality Management Program in partnership with the Office of Alumni Relations is excited to launch the inaugural Feliciano School of Business mentorship initiative: the Student Alumni Mentorship Program. 

This pilot program will pair Montclair State University business alumni with current students to provide a valuable mentorship opportunity. It offers business graduates the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with a student by providing an understanding of workplace expectations, offering professional and career guidance, sharing tools for networking and helping students form professional relationships.

“Many of my students are taking a full course load and also work nearly full time, thus have less opportunity and capacity for career focus and job networking,” says Jeff Moncaelli, assistant professor of Marketing. “The opportunity for these students to get guidance and advice from alumni who walked in their shoes and now have become successful is invaluable.”

Student participants will have the unique opportunity to receive guidance on a wide range of academic, career and student-life experiences from someone who has completed their degree at Montclair State. The program can enrich a student’s business school experience not only by providing general guidance, but also by providing an expanded network of business contacts that will enable students to realize new possibilities.

Participating in the Student Alumni Mentorship Program can be a rewarding experience for both alumni and students. The program offers mentors the opportunity to build a lasting relationship with a current Montclair State University student and to stay connected with the Feliciano School of Business in a meaningful way. 

A graduate’s experience at Montclair State and the post-graduate professional perspective can be immensely valuable. “Alumni mentors have a current market awareness and working background to guide and advise students in a way not always available from we professors and career counselors,” notes Moncaelli.

Alumni and students in the program have been carefully matched based on career and networking interests, area of study and industry. The mentoring period is scheduled for six months, during which time pairs are encouraged to meet in person or via Skype at least twice and to communicate by phone and email at least once a month. Mentors and mentees are welcome to interact more often at their discretion and are encouraged to remain in contact after the formal mentoring period has ended. 

The program will begin with a kick-off event on March 15, where mentors and mentees will have the opportunity to meet for the first time and take part in an orientation. 

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Jenna Villani, Office of Alumni Relations, at 973-655-7872 or villanij@mail.montclair.edu.