2 min read
Staying connected: why alumni mentorship matters for GEB students
Mentorship is one of the association's founding pillars. Here is why a conversation with an alumnus can matter so much — and how students and alumni can make it happen.
Doctoral Candidate, University of Auckland
The GEB Alumni Association was built around four pillars: networking, mentorship, career support and events. Of these, mentorship is perhaps the most personal. In the association's own words, we pair students and recent graduates with experienced alumni for guidance on research, higher studies and career choices.
Why it matters
Genetic engineering and biotechnology graduates go on to very different paths — research, higher studies abroad, industry, healthcare, teaching and more. From the inside of an undergraduate programme it can be hard to see what those paths really look like, what they demand and how people got there.
An alumnus who has walked one of those paths can offer something no course or website can: honest, first-hand context. A single conversation can help a student:
- understand what a field or job involves day to day;
- choose electives, thesis topics or skills to learn next;
- prepare for applications to higher studies or jobs;
- avoid common mistakes and set realistic expectations;
- feel less alone in making a difficult decision.
It helps mentors too
Mentoring is not one-directional. Alumni who stay in touch with students keep a connection with their department, see how the field is changing through fresh eyes, and often meet the future colleagues and collaborators they will work with.
How students can reach out
- Complete your own profile first, so alumni can see who you are.
- Use the Alumni Directory to find graduates working in the area you are curious about.
- Send a short, specific message: who you are, what you would like to know, and why you chose them.
- Respect their time. Ask a focused question, and say thank you.
- Share what you learned with your classmates, in the Forum or through a blog post.
How alumni can help
- Keep your profile current: your role, organisation, experience and research interests help students find the right person.
- Share opportunities you come across on the Opportunities board.
- Write about your path on the Blog — practical, honest accounts are among the most useful things a student can read.
- Take part in association events, where students and alumni meet in person.
A lifelong network
The association's vision is a strong, globally connected alumni network that advances scientific excellence, professional development and the long-term growth of the GEB department. That network is built one conversation at a time. Whether you are a student with a question or an alumnus with an answer, reaching out is the first step.
