Why Become a Mentor?
Mentorship isn’t just about helping others—it’s also about growing as a leader. As a mentor, you will:

• Gain valuable leadership and communication experience.
• Build your resume by showcasing your commitment to service and community.
• Create meaningful relationships with fellow NSCS members.
• Leave a lasting legacy by helping others succeed.

What to Expect from the NSCS Mentor Program:
NSCS has partnered with Ambition In Motion to provide a structured, impactful mentorship program. The program is designed to be low time-commitment and high reward, so you can mentor effectively while managing your busy schedule.

• Time Commitment: About 12 hours total, February to May.
• Your Role as a Mentor:
  • Engage in three 30-minute conversations with your mentee (via phone, video, or in-person).
  • Offer guidance on academics, career planning, and personal development.
  • Attend four Ambition In Motion workshops to enhance your mentoring skills.

Why Your Role Matters:
As an NSCS mentor, you’ll help shape the future of our community by empowering other members to achieve their full potential. Your advice and support could be the key to unlocking a mentee’s success.

How to Sign Up:
Becoming a mentor is simple! Complete your application by February 25, 2025, and NSCS will match you with a mentee shortly after.

• There’s no cost to participate.
• All training and resources will be provided through the program.

Ready to take on this rewarding role? Click here to sign up to become a mentor today!

Take the next step in your NSCS journey by becoming a mentor this spring. This is your chance to lead, inspire, and make a difference in the lives of fellow NSCS members. Join the NSCS Mentor Program today and create an impact that lasts far beyond this semester.

1. Start with Your Professors: Building Academic Relationships  

Professors can be some of your most valuable connections in college. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and often have connections in your field of interest. To establish a good relationship with your professors:

Attend Office Hours Regularly: Don’t wait until you need help with an assignment or exam. Use office hours to discuss topics that interest you, ask about research opportunities, or seek advice on your academic path. Showing genuine interest in their subject can lead to mentorship opportunities.

Engage in Class: Actively participating in class discussions not only helps you stand out but also shows your professors that you’re committed to learning. This engagement can open doors for deeper conversations outside of class.

Follow-Up After Meetings: After meeting with a professor, whether in their office or after class, send a thank-you email. This reinforces your interest and helps keep the conversation going.

2. Networking with Peers: Building a Supportive Community  

Your peers are on the same journey as you, and building relationships with them can provide support, collaboration opportunities, and lifelong friendships. Here’s how you can network effectively with fellow students:

Join NSCS Events and Chapter Meetings: NSCS chapters host various events throughout the year, from social gatherings to service projects. These events are perfect for meeting like-minded students and expanding your network within the organization.

Form Study Groups: Collaborating with peers in study groups can enhance your learning experience and help you tackle challenging subjects together. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends and establish connections that go beyond the classroom.

Engage in Campus Activities: Participating in clubs, sports, or other extracurricular activities allows you to meet students from different backgrounds and disciplines. These connections can broaden your perspectives and enrich your college experience.

3. Find a Mentor  

Finding a mentor can be one of the most impactful steps you take in your college career. Mentors can provide guidance, offer insights into your field of interest, and help you navigate the challenges of academia and beyond.

Engage in the Ambition in Motion Program: NSCS is launching a Mentorship Program connecting students and alumni for professional guidance. This program pairs students with NSCS alumni who are eager to provide career advice and gain volunteer experience. The program offers a Collegiate program for current students and an Alumni program for professionals. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity—sign up here by September 24, 2024, to participate.

4. Leveraging NSCS Resources for Networking  

As an NSCS member, you have exclusive access to resources that can enhance your networking efforts:

Utilize LinkedIn: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and reflects your NSCS membership certificate. Connect with professors, peers, and NSCS members to build a professional online network that can support your career aspirations.

5. Cultivating Long-Term Relationships  

Networking isn’t just about making connections—it’s about nurturing them over time. Here’s how you can maintain and strengthen the relationships you build:

Stay in Touch: Regularly check in with professors and peers, even after a class or project has ended. Send updates on your progress, share interesting articles, or simply ask how they’re doing.

Be Genuine: Authenticity is key to building meaningful connections. Be yourself, show genuine interest in others, and offer help when you can. People appreciate sincerity and are more likely to want to maintain a relationship with you.

Give Back: Networking is a two-way street. Offer your support to others, whether it’s helping a classmate with an assignment or sharing job leads with your peers. By giving back, you create a positive reputation that strengthens your network.

Make This Year Count  

As you embark on a new academic year, remember that the connections you build can shape your college experience and beyond. Whether it’s through developing strong relationships with your professors, forming a supportive network of peers, or finding a mentor to guide you, each step you take brings you closer to achieving your goals. By actively engaging in these opportunities, you’re setting the foundation for success both during college and in your future career. Make this year one of growth, learning, and meaningful connections.

Leadership Skills Development

NSCS offers numerous programs, workshops, and strength assessment tests designed to develop and enhance your leadership skills. Participating in these opportunities helps you build a strong foundation in leadership, which is highly valued by employers. Developing your ability to lead and inspire others not only sets you apart in the job market but also prepares you for leadership roles in your future career.

LinkedIn Certificate

One of the standout benefits of NSCS membership is the LinkedIn certificate you can earn. This certificate is a valuable addition to your LinkedIn profile and resume, highlighting your commitment to academic excellence and leadership. It makes you stand out in a competitive job market, as potential employers can easily see your dedication and achievements, increasing your chances of securing job interviews and offers.

Career Tools

NSCS provides access to exclusive career tools and resources tailored to help you succeed in your future career. These tools include resume-building workshops, interview preparation sessions, and job search strategies, all designed to give you a competitive edge. By utilizing these resources, you can effectively navigate the job market, present yourself confidently to potential employers, and secure positions that align with your career goals.

Networking Opportunities

Connecting with a network of 1.5 million lifetime NSCS members through the member-only portal opens up a world of opportunities. These connections can lead to mentorships, job offers, and professional collaborations. Networking with fellow members provides valuable insights, support, and guidance, which can be instrumental in your career development and advancement. Building these connections early on can lead to lifelong professional relationships and support networks.

Mentoring

Participating in the Planning to Achieve Collegiate Excellence (PACE) Program and K12 mentoring programs allows you to develop and enhance your leadership and communication skills. Mentoring younger students not only helps them achieve their academic goals but also provides you with a sense of fulfillment and purpose. These experiences are valuable additions to your resume and demonstrate your commitment to giving back to the community, which is attractive to potential employers.

NSCS membership offers a comprehensive suite of benefits that can significantly enhance your post-college planning and career success. From leadership development and career tools to networking opportunities and mentoring, NSCS provides the support and resources you need to confidently step into your future and achieve your professional aspirations. Embrace the opportunities provided by NSCS and chart a successful path to your career goals.

1. Identify Your Needs and Goals

Before seeking a mentor, it’s essential to understand what you need help with. Are you looking for academic guidance, career advice, or personal development? Knowing your goals will help you find a mentor who can best support you. Take some time to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Create a list of specific areas where you need guidance. For example, if you’re struggling with time management, you might want a mentor who excels in organizational skills. If you’re unsure about your career path, look for someone with experience in the fields you’re considering. By clearly defining your needs and goals, you’ll be better equipped to find a mentor who can provide the targeted support you require.

2. Leverage College Resources

Many colleges have formal mentoring programs where students can be matched with faculty, alumni, or industry professionals. Check with your academic department, career services, or student organizations to see what programs are available. Visit your college’s career services office to learn about mentoring programs and networking events. Join academic clubs and honor societies that often have mentorship components. These resources are specifically designed to connect students with mentors who can provide guidance based on their professional and academic experiences. Additionally, some colleges have online platforms where you can browse profiles of potential mentors and initiate contact.

3. Network Through Professors and Advisors

Your professors and academic advisors can be a great resource for finding a mentor. They can recommend individuals who have the expertise and experience to guide you in your desired field. Build strong relationships with your professors and advisors by attending office hours, participating in class discussions, and seeking their advice on academic matters. Once they understand your aspirations and challenges, they can introduce you to professionals in their network who might be a good fit as a mentor. This personalized recommendation can lead to a more meaningful and productive mentorship relationship.

 4. Join Clubs and Organizations

Participating in clubs and organizations related to your interests can help you meet potential mentors. Leadership positions in these groups often come with access to a network of experienced individuals willing to mentor students. Active involvement in student clubs, professional societies, and extracurricular activities can provide you with opportunities to connect with senior members and alumni who have valuable insights and experiences. For instance, if you’re part of a business club, you might meet successful entrepreneurs or executives who can offer career advice. Take initiative in these organizations, volunteer for leadership roles, and attend events where you can engage with potential mentors. Organizations like the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) not only offer leadership experiences but also provide access to a network of accomplished professionals and alumni.

 5. Utilize Platforms Like Linkedin

Platforms like LinkedIn can be valuable for finding mentors. Connect with alumni from your college, join relevant groups, and engage in discussions. Don’t hesitate to reach out to individuals whose careers you admire. Create a professional and compelling LinkedIn profile that highlights your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and career aspirations. Join LinkedIn groups related to your field of interest and actively participate in discussions. Use the platform’s search feature to find alumni from your college and send personalized connection requests. When reaching out, mention your shared alma mater, express your admiration for their career path, and ask if they would be open to providing mentorship or advice. Be respectful and appreciative of their time and expertise.

Finding a mentor in college is a proactive step towards achieving your goals and maximizing your college experience. By identifying your needs, leveraging resources, networking through professors, joining clubs, and utilizing online platforms, you can find a mentor who will provide invaluable guidance and support. The benefits of having a mentor include personalized advice, professional networking opportunities, enhanced confidence, and long-term support, making it a worthwhile endeavor for any college student.

Embark on your mentorship journey today and unlock the full potential of your college years!

Higher Earning Potential in Your First Job

Now more than ever, employers are looking to hire graduates who have a developed, diverse skill set. By joining NSCS, you have an opportunity to hone your leadership, management, and public speaking skills. You’ll graduate with more than knowledge of your subject matter. You’ll have more soft skills that are useful in the workplace. Therefore, you’ll be qualified for more jobs and for higher-paying jobs when you enter the workforce. When you start in a higher-paying position, it is easier to remain in higher-paying positions and to keep increasing your pay as you move up the ladder.

More Opportunities

As an NSCS member, you will have opportunities to meet recent graduates who are working in the industry where you want to work. You’ll also meet senior leaders in your industry. This often leads to more job offers after graduation. When you have multiple job offers, you can often negotiate a higher starting salary. Having multiple offers gives you the upper hand over your potential employers. Negotiating a higher starting salary often means you’ll be able to keep earning more and moving up as time goes on.

Mentorship Skills

Many NSCS members end up with mentors who guide them through their college experience and through their first few years in the workforce. As you work with a mentor, you can observe the ways that they mentor you and your fellow members. Later on, you can use those same skills to mentor others in your field. Senior employees with mentorship skills are often highly sought-after in the job market. When a company finds that you’re able to effectively mentor and train their newer hires, that will make you more valuable and increase your earning potential. 

A Community Mindset

So often, those who are most successful in the workplace are those who are able to work with a community mindset. They focus not just on their own good, but on what’s good for the whole company. As an NSCS member, you will learn to develop that community mindset. Service, after all, is one of our Three Pillars. Our chapters get involved with local, charitable organizations and do a lot of volunteer work. If you keep up with this mindset and maintain your connections in the community post-graduation, you’ll go far!

International Opportunities

NSCS offers several opportunities for study abroad scholarships. If you’re a member who takes advantage of these options, you’ll get a chance to expand your worldview in unimaginable ways. This international perspective may open up new, more lucrative career opportunities. It may also directly lead to opportunities to work for international companies, which can increase your earning potential.

If you’ve been thinking of joining NSCS, here’s one more reason to take membership seriously. Joining NSCS won’t just transform your college years. It will increase your earning potential and open so many more doors for your long-term career. We’re excited to have you join us.

More Job Opportunities

As graduation approaches, college students sometimes struggle to find entry-level positions that appeal to them. NSCS members tend to have more options than non-members. As an NCSC member, you’ll meet alumni who work at companies you may be interested in working for as well. You can reach out to these members to find out about job opportunities you may not have otherwise known about. Internships you participate in as a member may also lead to additional job opportunities. It’s good to have options. This way, you can choose the job offer you like best.

A More Diverse Skill Set

NSCS members have opportunities to develop a more well-rounded set of skills than their peers. As a member, you’ll interact and work with students from other majors, which further helps you diversify. This way, you’ll have more skills to feature on your resume when you begin applying for jobs. This will give you more options as to the type of future you decide to pursue. You may be able to enter a different field or pursue cross-field job opportunities.

A Larger, More Connected Network

Networking is a big part of NSCS membership. When you graduate with a large and diverse network, you have more people to reach out to about job opportunities. You also have more people to consult with when deciding which path to take. For example, if you are trying to choose between two job opportunities, you can consult a few people in your network for their opinions and take those opinions to heart as you make your choice. This approach and input will help you make wiser choices for your future.

Experience With Leadership

Many college students graduate with very little leadership experience, but not NSCS members! Whether you join National Leadership Council, become a Chapter Leader, or pursue volunteer opportunities in your community, you’ll graduate with plenty of leadership experience on your resume. This will not only open up more job opportunities for you, but will allow you to enter managerial roles earlier in your career. Plus, when you do enter a managerial role, you will have the skills to succeed and really develop in that role.

Mentorship Opportunities

As an NSCS member, you will have access to some of the very best mentors. But what we don’t mention often enough is that once you graduate, you can serve as a mentor to current NSCS members. This has amazing benefits for you as you continue to grow along your career path. Mentoring others will allow you to reflect on your own journey, stay in touch with the up-and-coming cohorts of graduates, and continue to hone your own leadership and networking skills. 

As you consider joining NSCS, we ask you to keep the above benefits in mind. Yes, joining NSCS will enrich your college experience in so many ways. But it will also continue to enrich your life and career once you graduate. As an NSCS member, you’ll be prepared to walk a well-planned path post-college. From leadership experience to mentorship opportunities, NSCS gives you what you need to succeed. 

Help Them Find Good Extracurricular Activities

Attending and participating in class is an important part of college, but it’s only part of the experience. The most well-rounded college students generally seek out extracurricular programs and activities that teach them soft skills that are harder to learn in a classroom setting. For example, a student can learn valuable leadership skills by volunteering in the community. They can also gain public speaking skills by participating in student leadership.

Encourage your child to think beyond the classroom. Talk to them about their interests, and help them look for local groups that engage with those interests. Periodically, check in with them about the skills they’re learning through their extracurricular experiences. You may even want to tell them some stories about similar learning opportunities you had in college.

Encourage Them to Apply for Scholarships

College can be expensive. That’s no secret! Of course it’s nice if you can afford to help your child with their college expenses, but everyone’s financial position is different. Regardless of your own finances, you can help your student with the financial aspects of college by encouraging them to apply for scholarships.

Many student advisement offices keep lists of scholarships students can apply for. Your student can also gain access to additional scholarships by joining an honor society such as NSCS. Not only does NSCS help students find outside scholarships, but we also offer many exclusive scholarships just for members. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, and in most cases, they are open to students in any major or degree program. Encourage your child to join an honor society and apply for any scholarships for which they are eligible.

Talk About Mentorship

Another key to success in college is finding a good mentor. Encourage your child to attend their professors’ office hours, talk to alumni who work at local companies, and attend networking events. Many students eventually meet someone who becomes their mentor by participating in these experiences. Students can also find a mentor through an honors society like NSCS.

A mentor is someone who can answer your child’s career specific questions and give them personalized guidance along the way. They can help a student prepare for interviews, recommend classes for them to take, and even help them connect with other professionals in their chosen field. If you had a good mentor during your college years or early career years, tell your child more about that experience. Personal stories of this sort often help students understand the value of good mentorship.

Every college student has to forge their own path towards success. Your child’s path may look a lot like your own, or it may not. In either case, you can support them along their journey by encouraging them to branch out, find a good mentor, and apply for scholarships. NSCS is here to help, too. We support our members as they pursue excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.

Access to Exclusive Scholarships

Some honors societies offer their members exclusive access to certain scholarships. In other words, your student will only qualify for these scholarships if they join the honors society; non-members cannot apply.

NSCS, for example, offers 26 different national scholarship opportunities throughout the year. Only NSCS members can apply for these scholarships, and they are all merit-based. To apply, applicants must have a 3.4 GPA. If your student joins NSCS, they will have an opportunity to apply for these awards, and since they are members-only awards, the competitive pool is somewhat limited.

Some honors society scholarships come with unique opportunities, too. For example, NSCS offers specific scholarships for students who want to study abroad or spend a semester at sea.

Access to Scholarship Lists

Finding scholarships is not always easy. However, most honors societies maintain lists of scholarships offered by various organizations. Members can access and review these lists, discovering new and exciting scholarships to apply for. Some of these scholarships will be for students in certain majors, and others will be open to students in all disciplines.

Some organizations that offer scholarships simply don’t advertise those scholarships very well. But honors societies know how to comb the market for the best scholarships and call students’ attention to them. This can save you and your student countless hours of searching and scrolling on your own.

Experiences to List on Applications

Scholarships are competitive. Those who award scholarships are increasingly looking for students who excel not just in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom. Joining an honors society is an excellent way to build skills and experiences that will make your scholarship application stand out.

For example, NSCS offers leadership opportunities. Students can become chapter leaders and gain experience organizing and managing groups. Such experiences will set a student apart and make them a more competitive applicant. Honors societies also tend to offer service opportunities. Serving in the local community, again, helps students become more connected while building soft skills that look great on a scholarship application.

Mentorship Assistance 

Sometimes, whether or not a student wins a scholarship depends less on what they’ve achieved, and more on the way they present those achievements in an application. A well-written essay, for example, may be the thing that sets your students’ application apart.

As an honors society member, your student will have a chance to find a mentor. This could be an older student in a similar major, an alumnus, or a professor who has volunteered to mentor honors students. In any case, your student’s mentor can help them fill out scholarship applications, provide feedback on essays, and sometimes even guide the student in selecting the best scholarships to apply for.

There are plenty of scholarships available for students who have a desire to achieve. Joining an honors society is a great way for your student to not only access them, but become a better qualified candidate. Learn more about NSCS, and don’t hesitate to tell your students about our society, too. We’re here for high-achieving students who wish to do more.

1. Set expectations from the start.

When you first meet with a student you are planning to mentor, spend a little time discussing what you both expect from the relationship. Ask your student what they want to gain. Maybe they want someone who can help them improve their soft skills and practice interviewing. Or perhaps that want someone to bounce ideas off of as they build a customized course plan. Then, let the student know what you can offer and what expectations of theirs you can meet.

2. Get to know your mentees as people.

While you do want to keep this relationship professional, for the most part, it’s also important to get to know your student as a person. In your first meetings, take time to ask them about their hobbies. What do they like to do on the weekends? Where are they from? What is their family life like? Not only will this help you give the student better guidance, but asking these questions will help them feel more comfortable and confident around you. 

3. Share your own experiences.

In the course of meeting with your students, there will be times when they come to you with problems they’re facing at school, in an internship, or even on the job. Try to relate your own experiences to theirs. Tell them about a time when you experienced something similar, and describe how you responded. If you don’t think you responded well, be honest about that. Tell your student what you’d do differently now that you know better. This sort of approach makes the mentoring experience very real and human for both you and your students. 

4. Use the phrase “sympathy or solutions?”

When your mentees come to you with complaints about their coursework or career, resist the urge to immediately jump in with advice. Sometimes, the mentee may not be ready for advice; they may just be looking for an understanding person to listen to their woes. A good question to ask in these situations is “Are you looking for sympathy or solutions?” Based on the student’s answer, you then know how to best respond and relax.

5. Celebrate your mentees’ accomplishments.

Maybe your student just completed a course that was really hard for them. Perhaps they just landed the internship they were hoping for, or maybe they got an interview at a promising company. Celebrate these occasions! You could keep a bottle of sparkling grape juice in your desk to pull out when a student gives you good news. Or, you could take students out for coffee when they come to you about this sort of accomplishment. This shows the students that you care about them and their achievements, and that you’re truly in their corner.

Follow the tips above, and you’ll be a mentor students come to for encouragement, hope, and guidance. If you’re not yet an NSCS member, consider joining. We have an awesome mentorship program with many of our alumni and more senior students serving as peer mentors to younger members. 

Learning these skills is not always easy. In fact, it can be downright challenging! The good news is that if you have a mentor, you don’t have to learn only from your own challenging experiences. You can also learn from the challenges your mentor has endured. This may keep you from having to undergo the same struggles and hardships yourself.

How to Learn From Your Mentor’s Experiences

To learn from your mentor’s experiences, you want to start forming a productive and dynamic relationship with your mentor. This means meeting with them regularly. It also means slowly opening up not only about your coursework and college experiences, but about who you are as a person. Don’t hesitate to tell your mentor about your history, your interests, your hobbies, and what makes you “tick” as a person. After a few weeks, the two of you should start feeling more comfortable with each other as people. That will lay the framework for a relationship in which you can openly discuss your challenges and any related experiences your mentor has had.

Starting from this firm foundation, make sure you go to your mentor when you are facing a challenge. Maybe, for example, you’re leading a group in class, and some of the group members are not showing up to group meetings. Bring the situation up to your mentor, and ask whether they’ve dealt with something similar. They can likely tell you about similar experiences they’ve had, and how they resolved them.

When your mentor tells you about their past experiences, don’t hesitate to ask questions. For instance, you could ask “did the group members push back when you said that?” or “Did you feel nervous when making that announcement?” This will help you relate your mentor’s experience to your own. You can then use what you’ve learned in the conversation to help solve the problem you’re facing. Remember, not all of these situations will result in your mentor telling you what worked for them. Often, your mentor will say “These are the mistakes I made. Don’t make the same ones.”

nding a Good Mentor

Of course, it is easiest to relate to and learn from a mentor you connect with. So, take the time to meet with a few different mentors and find someone who makes you feel supported and at-ease. Here are some different ways you can meet potential mentors:

• Ask professors whose lectures you enjoy if they mentor students.
• See whether your department has a faculty mentor program.
• Join an honors society like NSCS; we have active mentorship programs.
• Ask a student who is a year or two ahead of you to mentor you.
• Reach out to your peers and ask if they have a mentor they would recommend.

Listening to others speak about their experiences, challenges, and even their mistakes is a great way to learn. This is especially true when those experiences and challenges are similar to your own. Find a mentor you connect with, and the insight you gain through this one relationship will surprise you. NSCS is really proud of our mentorship programs, and we encourage you to consider joining our society. We’re a place where students routinely discover the true meaning of mentorship, scholarship, and leadership.