Mentoring

The mentoring portion of the intern program is designed to match experienced and talented employees with incoming students, in order to provide each student with a source of industry-specific knowledge and assistance with career development.

The mentoring is designed to foster intern growth, professional development, inspiration, support, education, sharing of wisdom, networking and connections. This program serves as a forum where students can learn real-world business practices under the guidance of seasoned business professionals. By sharing valuable experience with students, mentors help define and shape each student’s future. The relationships are intended to be professional in nature; to assist students' transition from an academic environment to the world of work; and offer an opportunity for professional development, networking and an exchange of ideas between experienced professionals and the next generation of leaders.

Benefits of mentoring for students:

• Establishes a “sounding board”: someone with whom students can debrief and talk to about studies and experiences
• Provides guidance and support in developing students’ professional knowledge and skills
• Observes a professional role model
• Supports personal challenges which arise during the course of the internship program
• Establishes a close contact in the profession who may be able to connect students to broader professional and non-professional networks
• Assists students to make a career choice
• Establishes a potential mentor for the “transition-to-practice” as well as potential employer

Supervisor / Mentor Feedback:

Towards the end of the summer intern program, AgBank and AgVantis distribute electronic surveys to each supervisor/mentor. The surveys are utilized to measure the overall performance (quality and effectiveness) of the intern program.

Supervisors and mentors are asked to evaluate the overall performance of each student - while also providing feedback regarding any professional or personal growth opportunities regarding each student.

Overall, 2009 interns received "outstanding' ratings -- meaning that supervisors and mentors believe each student "met" or "exceeded" their expectations regarding quality and effectiveness.

Supervisors and mentors had much to say about their individual intern’s strengths. The strengths of the interns varied, but below are a few quotes from supervisors and mentors.

“She excels in her organizational abilities and works very well on her own. This is critical since I am in Sacramento and/or travel a great deal. She also understands the importance of good customer service, even in a corporate environment.” –Jeana H., Legislative Services Supervisor

“Yes. I hope to stay in touch with her. She is the kind of team player we look for at AgVantis. We are planning for 2010 to see if we will have any new positions at AgVantis. If we will, I would definitely recommend hiring her after she graduates. Her initiative and drive as well as her ability to learn by example or by self-development will take her far in her career.” –Adam P., Mentor

“He has shown very strong work ethic, self-driven initiative and also followed up project work with detailed and supporting documentation. He has also familiarized himself with Farm Credit via two summer intern positions with U.S. AgBank and is starting his second round of intern work with Frontier Farm Credit while attending KSU.” –Kendal P., Internal Audit Supervisor