In January of 1999, the Task Force on Women and Boston College launched

BC Connections: A Mentoring Program in an effort to promote undergraduate women’s professional and personal development.  This program underscores Boston College’s commitment to the complete education of women both inside and outside of the classroom. We hope that together we can provide available resources to students enabling them to make more informed and better decisions regarding career and life choices.

BC Connections offers each student a one-on-one relationship with an alumna who will provide both encouragement and support of the student’s professional and personal goals.  Mentors, in turn, have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on a young woman’s life. 

Students invited to participate in this program have traditionally been second semester juniors. The formal mentoring relationship is intended to last two and a half years. Mentors will assist students through the remainder of their undergraduate years at Boston College and one year after graduation.  Matches are made between mentors and students who share similar professional goals and interests and/or who are from the same part of the country. It is not necessary for a mentor to live in the Boston area, as most of the interactions often take place via telephone or email. However, we’d prefer that face-to-face connections are made at least twice a semester between the mentor and the student, if possible.

 As a new feature, we are also giving alumnae mentors the opportunity to be matched with a first year MBA female in addition to, or instead of, an undergraduate junior.

The annual convocation/dinner to kick-off the BC Connections Mentoring Program is scheduled to be held on campus on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. While not mandatory, mentors are strongly encouraged to attend in order to meet with their student mentee.  

 The roles for mentors include:

• Offering advice and counsel
• Suggesting activities or resources that will help the student develop experiences and skills
• Assisting the student with career exploration and vocational discernment
• Serving as a confidante during times of difficulty

Support for mentors will be provided by BC Connections staff members, members of the Career Center, as well as a number of other BC Student Affairs’ offices.

We have many female students who are eager to have alumnae mentors. If you have an interest in being a mentor to a deserving student, please email Bob Sherwood at sherwood@bc.edu or call him at 617-552-3471. Also, please consider sharing this information with any other alumnae whom you believe would be positive and enthusiastic mentors as well. We thank you in advance for your involvement and your interest.  

 Bob Sherwood
Special Advisor
Alumni Relations
sherwood@bc.edu