SPAN - Student Plus Alumni Network: A Bailey College Mentoring Program
Welcome alumni professionals!
Join SPAN, become a Bailey College SPAN Alumni Mentor and make a difference!
Alumni professionals are invited to sign up as a SPAN Alumni Mentor to be matched with a student in your field.
What is SPAN?
The Bailey College has launched a new program called Student Plus Alumni Network (SPAN), matching experienced alumni professionals with Bailey College seniors interested in the same field or industry.
ONE-ON-ONE: SPAN benefits students by linking them one-on-one with an alum or a professional who is experienced and active in the industry or field they plan on entering. Students are paired with mentor invested in their success — a person ready to listen, inspire, help navigate challenges and recognize opportunities.
WIN-WIN: SPAN Student Mentees will learn what to expect in graduate school or industry, how to approach challenges and gain career advice. SPAN Alumni Mentors will build their networks, develop skills to become better professionals and leaders, and experience the fulfilling rewards of giving back and supporting a student following in your footsteps.
See the FAQs below for more info or to register!
FAQs for SPAN Alumni Mentors
Who can become a SPAN Alumni Mentor?
SPAN Mentors are Bailey College or Cal Poly alumni professionals currently active and engaged in their fields of expertise.
What do SPAN Alumni Mentors do?
As a SPAN Alumni Mentor, you’ll help a Cal Poly senior set and achieve goals, make connections and prepare for a future career. SPAN Alumni Mentors can answer questions that only someone who has lived and experienced a specific profession or industry can answer. You have a lot of insight that could be invaluable to a student who’ll soon be entering an environment you know well.
How will I be matched with a SPAN Student Mentee?
We’ll find the ideal match for both the Alumni Mentor and Student Mentee so that it’s a mutual fit. Cal Poly Bailey College seniors (students in their fourth or fifth years) will be connected with you based on their major, career interests, goals, needs and preferences.
Why can only Bailey College seniors sign up to become SPAN Student Mentees?
SPAN is made possible by generous donations from alumni, parents, and friends. With more support, we can increase our reach and offer SPAN to more Bailey College students. Contact us to learn more about how to support SPAN, or make a gift directly to the Bailey College Learn by Doing Fund.
How do I sign up to become a SPAN Alumni Mentor?
Sign up to become a SPAN Alumni Mentor using this link and complete the short registration form.
What do I need to know as a SPAN Alumni Mentor?
Bailey College is partnering with Mentor Collective to provide new SPAN Alumni Mentors, with on-demand training that they can complete at their convenience. The SPAN Alumni mentor learning experience is designed to provide a base understanding of the mentorship program's expectations.
The Mentor Collective platform will include information about your mentees and provide SPAN mentors with a foundational understanding of the elements of successful mentorship. You will have information about how to connect with your mentee and share insights about their Cal Poly experience that our advising team can use to ensure that we are helping students connect with campus resources designed to support their academic success.
Additionally, there are optional resources that you may want to take advantage of to hone your mentoring skills. These optional resources include courses on Mentee Expectations and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Foundations.
What is the commitment for a SPAN Alumni Mentor?
We ask for a 1-year commitment from our SPAN Alumni Mentor. This will give both the mentor and mentee enough time to establish a connection that will develop as the student approaches graduation and post-graduation decisions. During that year, virtual check-ins should happen at least monthly. Brief notes on the conversations with your mentee will be expected and likely prove helpful for you to reference throughout your year-long mentorship.
Invitations to participate in on-campus, in-person mentorship sessions will be provided but participation will not be mandatory.
If I have other questions, who do I contact?
For any other questions about the Bailey College SPAN program or becoming an Alumni Mentor, please email us at bailey-alumni@calpoly.edu.
