Signup for the Fall '26 cohort has ended.
We hope you'll consider participating in the Spring '27 cohort - signup will open in early January.
Overview of the Program
The Emerge Mentoring Program pairs a student mentee with one dedicated alumni mentor for a semester of conversation, advice, support, and coaching. Each mentor brings valuable experience, perspective, and encouragement to help mentees explore their goals, navigate challenges, and grow personally and professionally.
Important Things to Note
- The Fall '26 program will run October 1 through December 1.
- The program is open to currently-enrolled Emerson students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year, and to currently-enrolled Emerson graduate students. The program is not open to first-year students.
- Mentor (alumni) signup opens on August 24. The deadline to sign up is September 18.
- Mentee (student) signup opens on August 24. The deadline to sign up is September 14. This deadline will not be extended.
- Matching will be based on a combination of factors including preferences selected by participants, overlap in interests, and background identified in program registration questions. While every effort is made to match by industry, it is not possible to guarantee that mentees are paired with mentors working in their specific industry of interest.
- Incomplete profiles will not be considered for matching.
- During the week of September 28, you will receive an email notification once you are matched with your mentor or mentee. Please note that it is possible that not all mentors/mentees will be paired during this cohort, depending on mentor/mentee numbers.
Mentee Expectations
Why participate?
You'll connect with an Emerson alum who can share advice and insights, help you expand your knowledge and skills, and build your professional network.
Your mentor is an advocate who will encourage you to set and achieve goals, and can teach you about career options and possibilities.
You will have a Playbook (located in Program Resources) to follow through the mentoring program, with suggested meeting topics, goals, activities, and more.
What is required of me as a mentee?
Attend an in-person, on-campus workshop during the week of September 14 in Boston (register in Handshake) . Attendance at this workshop is mandatory for students who have not participated in a previous Emerge Mentoring Program, and those who do not attend a session will not be matched. Attendance is optional - though encouraged - for those who participated in a previous program. Fully-remote students will have the option to attend a virtual workshop (email emerge@emerson.edu for more information).
NOTE: All communication between Emerge Mentoring Program administrators and mentees will take place through the Emerge platform, so mentees are expected to monitor their inbox regularly and respond promptly to messages. Failure to respond in a timely manner may be considered an indication of a lack of commitment to the program, and could result in removal from the program.
Additionally:
- Connect regularly with your mentor via video, phone, email, or in person. The expectation is that you and your mentor will meet at least five times during this program.
- Familiarize yourself with the Mentee Guide (located in Program Resources), and complete the Mentee Pathway.
- Follow the Playbook (in Program Resources) for suggested topics and activities.
- Take initiative by scheduling meetings and arriving prepared. Show a genuine interest, and ask questions.
- Demonstrate professionalism by being timely, open to feedback, expressing a willingness to learn, and following through on commitments (including not cancelling or missing meetings with your mentor).
Mentor Expectations
Why participate?
Mentoring can be a fun and rewarding experience! You have the opportunity to advise, influence and support Emerson students on their college and career journeys.
You'll find that your own career, too, can be enhanced by the time and effort you put into a mentoring relationship as you hone your coaching skills and become familiar with the new generation entering the workforce.
What is required of me as a mentor?
- Connect regularly with your mentee via video, phone, email, or in person. The expectation is that you and your mentee will meet at least five times during this program.
- Familiarize yourself with the Mentor Guide and other mentoring best practices (available in Program Resources).
- Review the Playbook (in Program Resources) so you and your mentee can develop an experience that works for you both.
- Feel free to attend a virtual info session for mentors, on September 22 at 7pm ET (you will receive an email with details and zoom link). Can't make that date? It will be recorded and added to the Program Resources so you can watch when it works for your schedule.
- Help your mentee set and achieve goals.
- Provide constructive feedback to enhance your mentee's professionalism and preparedness.
- Share examples of success and failure from your own experience.
Apply Today!
Click the green "Join Program" button above and complete the registration questions. You will receive a confirmation email upon acceptance into the program. If you have not received a confirmation email within five days of applying, email: emerge@emerson.edu for additional information.
Matched pairs will be notified the week of September 28.
Questions? Email emerge@emerson.edu.
