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Career & Life Planning

Rollins Career Champions

Career Champions gives alumni an opportunity to continue to build a legacy with new generations of Rollins students.

A Tar's Legacy

Career Champions gives alumni an opportunity to continue to build a legacy with new generations of Rollins students.

Rollins Career Champions

Career Champions are alumni who bring real-world, industry-specific expertise back to current students at Rollins. The program empowers alumni to champion for the next generation of leaders by sharing career-related knowledge, advice, and experiences.  These connections will allow students to:

  1. Explore career paths
  2. Build their network
  3. Connect the dots between their Rollins experience and their career aspirations
  4. Prepare for the transition to life after graduation

Rollins Career Champion Programs

A Career Champion can give back to the institution through the following initiatives, with different time commitments:

  • Chat with a Champ – Alumni interact with students to share industry insights through programs such as panels, classroom speaker opportunities, or ‘flash mentoring’, where alumni host brief 1:1 informational interviews in person or via Skype.  These interactions create the potential for lasting professional connections with students.  
  • Career Champion in Residence – Distinguished alumni leaders come to campus to share industry insight with students, staff and faculty during a daylong residency. Alumni engage in a variety of impactful interactions such as large scale speaking engagements, individual informational interviews with students, best practice sharing with faculty and staff, or visits in the classroom or with student organizations.
  • Day with a Champ – Alumni professionals host students at their place of work for a day-long shadowing experience, giving a students a glimpse of a day in the life of a professional in the field. Shadowing days include a meaningful agenda to maximize students’ learning and exposure to professional topics, concepts, and best practices in their company or organization through interactions such as a company tour, leadership panel, mock interviews, or meeting and project participation.
  • Career Champions Mentor Program – Alumni serve as mentors for sophomores, juniors, or seniors with similar professional interests in this selective, long-term mentoring program.  Alumni and students connect monthly throughout the academic year, and mentees work towards a professional goal.

Student Application Information - Career Champions Mentor Program

Are you looking for support exploring your career goals? What would it mean to participate in a program where you are matched with an esteemed Rollins alumni mentor to get real-world, industry-specific career advice?

Brought to you by the Center for Career & Life Planning, the Career Champions Mentor Program is a selective opportunity in which accepted student mentees are matched with an alumni mentor in their professional field of interest for the 2023-24 academic year. In the program, your alumni mentor will serve as your ‘career champion’ – a Rollins community member who brings their professional knowledge and industry insight to support you in working towards your future goals.

Application & Eligibility

  • Submit your application by 4/17 (or 4/10 for early consideration). Application includes uploading your resume. Apply Soon!
  • Current CLA and Holt undergraduate students entering into their sophomore, junior, or senior year are encouraged to apply.
  • You must be in good standing with the Office of Community Standards & Responsibility in order to be considered for this program, and you cannot be on academic probation. You must be enrolled in Rollins courses for both the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters.
  • Please note: This is a competitive program, so put your best foot forward! Thoughtful answers on your application will also help accepted students be matched to a mentor.
  • If you would like any assistance strengthening your application materials you may schedule one-on-one career advising appointments through Handshake. They will take place via Webex, phone, Skype, or email.

Program Requirements for Accepted Mentees

  • Attend an orientation session
  • Make initial outreach to your alumni mentor
  • Communicate with your mentor monthly (at a minimum) throughout the 2023-24 academic program year utilizing a prepared, proactive, and professional approach
  • Communicate with CCLP staff to share your experience and feedback regularly throughout the program

Does the program really work?

Don't just take our word for it! Last year's Career Champions mentees think so too.

  • 100% of last year's student mentees would recommend the program to a peer
  • 100% of mentees said they grew professionally
  • 93% of mentees found their mentor helpful
  • 4 out of 5 student mentees in the program landed, identified, or learned about an opportunity with help from the program

Past student mentees have said…

  • “My mentor was a guiding light in what I decide to do after Rollins College. Her advice illuminated a path that I didn't see before.”
  • “There is no better way of learning from the industry you want to be in than by talking to someone that works there right now.”
  • “In addition to the tips I've received, the sense of assurance and certainty the mentorship has created is the most valuable thing for me.”
  • “I was shocked by the similarities between my mentor and I. Her career path provided me with a lot of helpful insight into the multiple career paths that I am interested in.”

Program Timeline

  • Monday, April 3rd – Applications open: Apply Here!
  • Sunday, April 9th at 11:59 pm – Early Consideration Deadline
  • Sunday, April 16th at 11:59 pm – Final Application Deadline
  • By May 5th – Applicants are informed of application status
  • Summer 2023 – Alumni mentors are identified for accepted students
  • October 2023 – Accepted students attend orientation
  • November 2023 – Students initiate contact with mentors, monthly contact begins
  • November through April – Monthly contact with mentor continues, ongoing resources and support are provided.

To learn even more about the program:

Ready to Apply?

Click here to submit your application today!

Questions? Please contact Cheyenne Morman, Assistant Director of Career Exploration, at CMorman@rollins.edu.

By harnessing the power of the Rollins alumni network and the deeply relational nature of the Rollins education, students will have increased knowledge and connections to prepare for reaching their post-graduate aspirations. Alumni will enjoy the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the Rollins community.

Get Involved

Students: The Career Champions Mentor Program is a competitive opportunity and applications are required. Mentees for the 2022-23 academic year have already been selected. The application period for the 2023-24 academic year will open in Spring 2023. You can contact Cheyenne Morman to learn more at CMorman@rollins.edu

Alumni: Please complete the Volunteer Interest Form through the Office of Alumni Engagement to express your interest in getting involved.