Have you considered creating an Alumni Community for Mentoring?

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Mentoring Inspiration

Alumni are a largely untapped resource.

Here’s why alumni are ideal mentors:

  • They Know the Culture: Alumni have lived the company’s culture and understand its values. This inside knowledge is invaluable for new employees, helping them integrate quickly.
  • Fresh Perspectives: Alumni bring fresh ideas from their time outside the organisation. Their combination of internal experience and external insights can offer unique mentoring benefits.
  • Fostering Community: Alumni, especially those with a positive connection to the company, can help create a supportive environment for new hires, easing their transition and boosting engagement.
  • Cost-Effective: Engaging alumni as mentors is a cost-efficient strategy, providing valuable guidance at a lower expense than full-time consultants.

Building an Alumni Mentorship Programme

To leverage this resource, companies should establish an alumni network, identify suitable mentors, align the mentorship goals with business objectives, and provide structure and support. By tapping into the knowledge and experience of alumni, businesses can improve their onboarding process, strengthen company culture, and maintain lasting connections with former employees.

Alumni are a valuable resource that can play a crucial role in mentoring new hires. Their familiarity with the company, combined with fresh insights, makes them perfect candidates to help onboard new employees and foster a culture of support. By engaging your alumni network in this way, you’ll enhance the employee experience and build a stronger, more connected organisation.

 

Many large enterprises already use their alumni for a variety of reasons such as referral sources for new recruits, short term contracts or maternity leave, but why not use that expertise and invite them back to help others by mentoring your new arrivals?

 

You know these experienced people and they know the culture of your organization, so what better cohort to recruit to mentor within your onboarding program?

Share This