Alumni Mentor Program
As a UC Hastings student, you have access to one of the most successful law school mentor programs in the country. Our Alumni Mentor Program (AMP), available to currently enrolled students, offers you unparalleled opportunities to meet Hastings alumni and to explore many career options. The program operates in more than a dozen countries, so students have the opportunity to be matched with both local and geographically distant mentors.
In order to meet individual needs, the program offers considerable flexibility. Many students are not yet sure how they intend to use their law degree and find the program helps them explore a variety of career options. Students who already have plans to specialize in a specific practice area often use the program to meet practitioners in that field and learn more about the "real world" outside of law school. Others consult with mentors for practical advice on the job search process, and use the mentor program as a networking resource.
Mentors are Hastings graduates who have volunteered to answer students’ questions, provide career-related advice, and help bridge the gap between the academic environment and the outside professional world. Alumni mentors may vary considerably in their individual approach to mentoring, depending on their experience, time availability, and personality. Therefore, you may wish to meet with more than one mentor in order to derive additional benefit from the program.
How does it work?
Alumni Mentor Program Director, Phil Marshall (Class of '92), serves as the liaison between Hastings students and alumni. As a Hastings alumnus himself, Phil recruits alumni volunteers into the program and helps students select appropriate mentors. He also counsels students on all aspects of the program. In order to participate, simply attend one of Phil's AMP Orientations. These are posted on www.HastingsCareersOnline.com (HCO) and are announced in weekly emails sent from the Student Services Office.
Hastings alumni who volunteer to mentor students are asked to complete a mentor profile form. Mentor profiles are organized by practice areas, and include the mentor's year of graduation from Hastings, name of the mentor's firm/company/organization, area(s) of specialization or expertise, as well as contact information. Some mentors also provide a résumé or a professional bio. The mentor profile offers alumni volunteers the opportunity to indicate whether there are specific communities of students (e.g. African-American, Gay/Lesbian, Parents, LEOP, "Over 30," etc.) to whom they could provide specific additional assistance.
Hastings students who would like to learn more about the program should attend an Alumni Mentor Program Orientation. After attending an orientation, schedule an individual appointment to plan how best to use the program to meet your personal goals.
The "Nuts & Bolts"
- Begin by attending a group AMP Orientation. Orientation schedules are published on HCO and the Student Services Office also sends weekly email reminders to students in the Hastings Weekly.
- After attending an Orientation, begin to review mentor profiles. Make a list of prospective mentors with whom you may wish to meet. At the very least, think about what you are looking for in a mentor – as far as practice area(s), experience, personality traits, or other characteristics.
- Next, schedule an individual appointment with Phil Marshall. (Appointments are scheduled through our front desk by calling 415-565-4619.) Bring your list of prospective mentors – or your mentor criteria, as mentioned above – and a copy of your resume to your individual appointment. Phil will help you select specific mentors whose background and experience match your interests. You also will complete a short registration form and sign the "Program Guidelines and Agreement."
- Now it is your responsibility to schedule a meeting with the mentor(s). In a few cases, as with a geographically distant mentor, it may be more practical to speak by telephone or to communicate via e-mail.
Okay, I've chosen a mentor. Now what?
Before meeting with a mentor, take some time to think about what you hope to get out of the experience. Remember, the mentor can't read your mind. Mentors sometimes report that while a student was very likeable or impressive, the mentor wasn't sure what type of help the student sought. It is your job to ask for the information you seek. The Alumni Mentor Program Director can help if you are having difficulty articulating your mentoring objectives.
UCHastings College of the Law
200 McAllister, San Francisco, CA 94102415.565.4600
