Call for Volunteers: Mentor a 2Y MBA student

Wharton PE & VC Alumni Association Mentor Program

Reply by Wednesday, July 12

 


About the Wharton PE & VC Mentor Program

The Mentor Program is an important initiative between the Wharton PE & VC Alumni Association and the student-led Wharton PE/VC Club.  Now in its 16th year, it is designed to both strengthen our ties with Wharton and to ensure that 2Y MBA students are well-positioned to attain top-tier jobs in the industry. 
To volunteer as a mentor, we ask that you meet these criteria. You need to be a:
  • Wharton or UPenn alumni
  • Investment professional working in private equity, venture capital, other private alternatives investment strategies or as a limited partner. 
  • VP / Principal level and above
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  • Mentors are encouraged to accept two students, but you have the option to accept only one.
  • Questions include firm type, industry sector, investment geography, and prior experience, and are used to create optimal matches.
  • Many students are interested in Europe, Asia, South America, etc. and while we can not necessarily match students with mentors in that region, we hope by including investment geography, mentors will be able to offer helpful and relevant insights to those markets.
     
Mentor Role
Mentors will provide guidance, resume review, coaching, and general support in the students’ job search that may include introductions to colleagues both within your firm and beyond as you see fit.  This should result in approximately 3-5 hours per student over the course of each school year, and touchpoints during each semester should include emails and phone/virtual conversations and hopefully, in-person meetings.  Students understand this is not an invitation for students to solicit jobs from members, but rather a way for alumni to provide support and guidance to students, thereby positioning them as strong emissaries of Wharton in our industry. 

Matching Process
In creating the most optimal match, fund type and industry sector are the priorities, though preferred geography or investment geography will also be considered.  Priority will be given to second year MBA students.  We will facilitate the matches and distribute final assignments.  Mentor responsibilities will last through the school cycle, and will typically begin anew each Fall, though we hope long term relationships are developed.

Mentee Role
  • Schedule a phone or in-person meeting and send your resume as part of your outreach as we suggest students take the first step once the Club has made the initial introduction.
  • Come prepared for the first meeting.  Prepare a list of questions.
  • Be candid about your needs.  Every student brings a different set of skills and experiences.  Let your mentor know where they can offer assistance.
  • Follow-up appropriately and always extend proper professional courtesy.
Outcome
The Mentor Program should enable students to:
  • Build their professional network and gain access to an experienced professional with industry insight. Whether working together on deals or finding your next job, the Wharton alumni network is invaluable.
  • Ask for an introduction to help further your referral network. Maximize the relationship with to potentially meet other professionals, particularly if your assigned mentor is not with the specific firm type or industry you are seeking.
  • Look at the mentor-mentee relationship as a two-way street.  You never know when your paths will cross again and perhaps you will be able to assist your mentor.
  • Keep the dialogue and relationship going, even after the job objective is achieved.  Mentor relationships should not be undervalued.
  • Become an active WPEVCAA member upon graduation and stay involved.  Once you’ve gotten something out of our global community, we encourage you to give back.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Simons at jsimons@wpevc.org or +1 484-222-8744.  Thank you in advance for your commitment to and support of the Mentor Program.