Current ASK Volunteers
Acting as career mentors, ASK volunteers teach the value of networking by sharing their professional experiences and industry insight. Each offers short- or long-term guidance via email, phone, or in person.
ASK aspires to offer volunteers significant freedom and choice around how they choose to share their time and expertise. There are many opportunities to participate and all volunteers are encouraged to find events and activities that fit within their availability and interest.
Program Leadership
Advisory Board
The ASK Advisory Board plays a key role in maintaining a connection with volunteers, enhancing the credibility of the program, and furthering the mission of ASK among its stakeholders. The board is comprised of up to 15 leaders among the larger ASK Volunteer Network who meet regularly throughout the year for program support and guidance. Interested individuals should contact the Program Director of ASK for more information.
- Jacqueline Benitez, Human Resources Manager, Accreditation Assoc. for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.
- Sarah Brown, Marketing Manager, Trustwave
- Carlos Cruz, Director, Trillium Solutions Group
- John Jameson, Talent Recruiter, General Growth Properties
- Dan Kesselring, Human Resources Consultant, Independent Contractor
- David Pekala, Global Logistics Manager, Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients
- Marek Sliwiak, Technical Sales Representative, Midwest USA, Roymal, Inc.
Staff
- Gina Sian Barrett, Program Director, Loop Campus, (312) 362-8282
- ASK Support Team, Loop Campus, (312) 362-8281
1 E. Jackson, Suite 9400, Chicago, IL 60604 |312-362-8281
DePaul Resources
Tip No. 1012: Follow Up.
Common feedback we’ve received from many of our volunteers is that students do not always follow through on requests or express the appropriate thanks. Recognize this as a teachable moment. As a career mentor, you have the ability to offer feedback on why follow-up and tokens of appreciation are critical components to networking. Help your mentees build better relationships. Challenge them to see beyond their immediate needs.
Tip No. 1013: Make an introduction.
Occasionally, a student or alumnus may contact you regarding a particular industry or field you’re not comfortable discussing. When possible, try to introduce them to friends or colleagues who might be able to help or refer them back to the ASK network. In this way, you set an example in networking and remain a valuable resource.
Tip No. 113: Promote to-do lists.
The ability to set priorities is a valuable skill in any industry. Help students and colleagues manage their projects by drafting to-do lists. These should be active lists, changing periodically with new tasks and assignments. Acknowledging deadlines can also help us stay focused on managing each task individually.
Tip No. 114: Profiles build bridges.
Feel “too far away” to be involved in what we do? Many of our requests come from folks looking for connections in other states or new industries. Completing your profile builds bridges for those conversation starters.
Tip No. 1209: Report your hours.
Because so much of what we do is facilitated through online contact, we always want to hear how you are! Help us brag about you and your dedication to students by sharing your mentoring hours with us each month… and don’t forget to include the 10 minutes of help here and there. Those add up in the end!
Tip No. 1214: Increase your contact.
ERecruiting, our online database, is a token-based system offering students and alumni 10 “tokens” per month. This helps respect your time and encourages individuals to be selective in their search. Too few contacts? You may adjust your volunteer availability as necessary, based on volume. Increase your default to 25 for increased search visibility.
Tip No. 128: Reread your profile.
Students and alumni actively read through portions of our volunteer profiles. In many cases, this simple step offers a unique glimpse of what we do with our areas of study and which companies hire DePaul graduates. Keep this data accurate by updating your profile quarterly.
Tip No. 210: Get noticed.
Encourage students to contact you by highlighting your background in the Career Center’s bi-weekly newsletter. Each blurb will direct students to your volunteer profile and encourage them to begin networking.
Tip No. 215: Reach out to them.
While we are always looking at new avenues to educate students about ASK, we cannot underestimate the intimidation factor. Sometimes, students are simply unsure of how to initiate the conversation. Use this as a teachable moment and lead by example. You can find out who has recently viewed your contact information by visiting your profile and reach out to those students to offer your support.
Tip No. 309: Listen.
We can all jump to conclusions at times, so it is no surprise that we may feel we know the answer before even hearing the question. When a student approaches you for advice, offer a listening ear. Once you understand the issue, try to ask questions that might lead the student to find a solution for him or herself.
Tip No. 310: Invite them to join you.
Students are often advised to join industry associations and learn about local interest groups. As career mentors, consider inviting them to sit in on professional development opportunities. This helps raise awareness of various businesses associations and teaches alternative networking techniques.
Tip No. 314: Hold them accountable.
Are you still waiting for a follow-up from a recent mentee? Transitions of all kinds can be overwhelming and sometimes we forget to send an update or note of thanks. Develop this into a teachable moment. Hold each contact accountable by reaching out and asking about progress.
Tip No. 411: Give them wiggle room.
We forget how intimidating it can be to ask for help. When you’re working with students, remember that they are all at various stages in their career development. Some understand the networking process very well, but most are jumping in cold and depending on you for support and guidance. Give them permission to be scared and make mistakes. Then talk them through the process.
Tip No. 412: Meet in person.
Meet with your Mentee in person when you can. Choosing an environment similar to real-world work meetings, such as an office visit or local coffee shop, can expose a student or alumnus to person-to-person network. A lunch visit could also provide opportunities to mentor on business etiquette.
Tip No. 413: Tell us anyway.
ASK tracks “zero hours” to source new opportunities for your involvement. There are other ways we can introduce you to students and alumni who can benefit from your help, such as highlighting your profile and staff referrals. If you haven’t had a chance to mentor, tell us anyway.
Tip No. 508: Enhance your profile.
Consider adding previous work experience to enhance your volunteer profile. The CTRL key allows you to select multiple options for job industry and function. While your home address is for administrative use only, including your work city and state encourages questions about geographical influences.
Tip No. 511: Ask questions.
Sometimes students struggle in keeping their conversations with you fluid. Asking questions about their goals or post-graduation plan can help students feel more comfortable in their dialogue with you.
Tip No. 512: Expand their resources.
Reminding students of their resources (and encouraging them to use them) is a big part of successful mentoring. They can find a myriad of online tools and services including career advice, resume critiques, and job and internship searches at their respective Career Center.
Tip No. 608: Share your experiences.
Have you had unique volunteer experiences with ASK? Because our services are typically student-driven, we don’t always hear about the kinds of questions or comments you encounter. Help keep our program current and viable by sending us your feedback.
Tip No. 609: Give an Informational Interview.
Informational interviewing is an effective way for students and alumni to learn more about what you do. This is not a job interview; but simply an opportunity to learn the facts. Teaching students the value of informational interviewing can encourage them to ask more insightful questions on career paths, positions, and industries.
Tip No. 810: Handle with Care.
Nearly half of those who come to ASK for help and guidance are graduate students and alumni. Take a moment to find out a little more about your DePaul mentee- like his/her interests and goals –before offering advice or guidance. This will allow you to help in a more effective way, but also respect their history and experiences. Remember that they do not always know what to ask or how to ask it. Handle the initial conversation with care.
Tip No. 708: The CTRL Key is Your Friend
When updating your mentor profile, you can hold the Ctrl key to select multiple options within each field list. In doing this, you can accurately portray your range of knowledge and expertise, while extending your profile visibility.
Tip No. 812: Portfolios have become a growing trend in today’s workforce
A professional portfolio provides you with a tremendous resource for showcasing your skills and experience. They are utilized by many different organizations and industries, typically in the creative fields.
Tip No. 818: Distribute your business cards.
Encourage students to collect business cards by offering them one of yours. Recommend that they write the date of your meeting on the back of the card and a note about how they met you or what you discussed. This will make it easier to remember who you are and help them follow-up.
Tip No. 908: Highlight key points in their resumes.
Using their resumes as guidance, help students identify 4 to 6 key points they would want an employer or recruiter to know. Have them use these to create and practice a 2-minute introduction. Points to include might be their major, current or most recent position, and primary interests or goals.
Tip No. 1014: Volunteer with integrity
Has a student contacted you recently, but you just haven’t had the time to respond? Send them a quick email offering to reschedule the conversation for a more convenient time or connect them with someone else. Students often feel hesitant or intimidated in taking that first step. Your timely response can be very reassuring.
Tip No. 1109: Expanding your network.
More than 400 ASK volunteers are currently working outside the state of Illinois. Several are or have in the past worked internationally. Teach students the value of extending their networking beyond Chicago and how that may serve them better in their futures.
Tip No. 1110: Network with students.
Don’t underestimate the value of working with students. As you help them get their start in your industry, remember that they may end up sitting at the table with you one day. Set the example now and teach the value of a professional network.
Tip No. 1111: Be the example
As career mentors, you set the standard for emails and voice mails. Leave concise, timely, and well-articulated messages that include only the key points. Students will naturally mimic your technique and improve their communication style.
Tip No. 111: Redirect the request.
If a student expresses interest in your company and you are not in a position to hire or do not feel comfortable offering referrals to other colleagues, consider sharing other job search techniques or explaining how you got your foot in the door. You might also offer insight on specific job postings.
Tip No. 112: Maintain realistic expectations.
If a student catches you in the middle of a busy day, offer a quick reply clarifying your timeframe and availability. Maintaining realistic expectations effectively mimics life in the business world, where occasionally we all have to wait for a reply. Take inventory of your time and be clear on when you plan to respond.
News and Events
ASK eNews
The ASK eNews is a monthly electronic newsletter that highlights upcoming volunteer opportunities and networking events and offers valuable tips in being a responsible career mentor.