New program to prep Honors students for ‘real world’

The ASU Honors Program is adding a new mentoring program to help Honors students gain experience and knowledge in preparation for their careers.

The "alumni mentoring program," to be added in March, identifies selective ASU alumni who have gone on to have successful careers, said Dr. Shirley Eoff, Honors Program director.

The program will start with a Skype session with Dr. Shivraj Sohur, neuroscientist and ASU alumnus, Eoff said.

"I think the Skype mentoring program will be a great learning experience," junior Kelsey Merritt said. "It will allow us to connect with alumni…and allow us to see where past Honors students have gone with their careers."

Taking advantage of new technology is a great way to link ASU students with experienced alumni throughout the country, Eoff said.

"It shows what a great educational background they're getting at ASU, how much they can do with [their experience] beyond here, and give them tips on how to succeed beyond expectations," Eoff said.

Mario Castillo, president of Aegis Corporation in Washington D.C., will be on campus April 11 to meet with the Honors Program students, she said.

He will bring real-world experience to better prepare them so that they will be more competitive when they go out into the global marketplace, she said.

She said these speakers will not talk only to a broad range of students about the possibilities of ASU, but also to specific groups of students who have a focused major in their department.

"They were looking for a way to allow distant alumni to reconnect with the university and to give back to the university that [helped] them develop the skills and tools needed to succeed in their careers and personal lives," Eoff said.

President Dr. Joseph C. Rallo has been helpful in linking the Honors Program with potential alumni mentors, Eoff said.

"I've never really used [Skype], but I think it will be fine," sophomore Aidid Mohamed said. "I don't see anything wrong with it."

"Modern technology makes it possible to work around [the alumni's] busy schedules," Eoff said.

Along with Sohur, those who are excited about the program and willing to help launch the pilot project are Albert Reyes, President of Buckner International, Henry Jackson, Head of International Operations, Buckner International, Dr. Kyle Longley, Arizona State University historian and author, and Brittani Teague, Hilti International, Eoff said.

"The mentoring project is dualistic," Eoff said.

The students will meet with mentors and discuss topics such as critical issues and career advice.

The students will then break off into smaller focus group discussions with students interested in their particular field of interest, Eoff said.

"These [alumni] are wonderfully successful students who have used their ASU education as a springboard for success in a variety of fields, Eoff said. "Our students can learn much from their experiences."