Corporate Mentor Program

Program Elements

Business & Workplace Skills and Best Practices (GEB 3033)

This course is designed to provide students in the Corporate Mentor Program with the opportunity to learn the distinct features of professional development focusing on interpersonal communication. Students take this course within the fall semester of the academic year they are admitted into the program.

Education Abroad Component

Research has shown that studying abroad influences the career readiness of students. A cohort of Corporate Mentor Program students will visit Quebec City, Canada to partake in corporate tours and cultural activities during Spring Break. This experience serves to enhance students’ global knowledge, skills and abilities and preparation for future career choices. Scholarships are available for students who participate.

Dining Etiquette

Proper dining etiquette is something that most people are not exposed to during everyday life, dining etiquette in a business environment can improve students confidence when meeting potential clients or senior executives. Etiquette training can help prepare students to face any business or social cocktail party, reception or networking event with poise.

Improv

Business Improvisation workshops are held throughout the year to teach students critical communications skills necessary for business success. Students develop communication skills and are taught to think a step ahead to gain confidence in public speaking as well as professional networking settings.

Volunteer Opportunities

Corporate Mentor Program students complete on average 350+ plus Academy Prep mentoring hours. The mission of Academy Prep is, "to inspire and empower students qualifying for need-based scholarships to become future community leaders through a rigorous middle school program coupled with ongoing graduate support." Students have the opportunity to lead an Academy Prep lesson or work with students in small groups to discuss various professional development topics to enrich their professional presence.

Students not only give back to the community through Academy Prep, but many also give back by mentoring elementary or middle schoolers through Big Brothers Big Sisters or junior achievement programs.

Networking and Company Tours

Professional development programs are offered just for Corporate Mentor Program participants. Corporate tours allow students to get a glance of the corporate culture through on-site visits and introductions to various employees from companies like Citi, Raymond James, Johnson & Johnson, Disney Distribution Center, and Tampa Bay Wave.

These networking events give mentees the opportunity to network with mentors, other than the one they are paired with for the year, in a traditional networking setting. Workshops are also provided such as "Dress for Success," "Branding Yourself," and "How to Work a Room," to give students practical instruction and tips for both professional and personal development.