Isn’t this just networking?

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While Blue Devil Bridges is a chance to meet a professional with whom you may share a career path, this isn’t networking, per se. Rather, it provides the opportunity to seek guidance from someone with whom you share an alma mater. We hope you use BDB to ease your transition into post-graduate life, gain inspiration to make an impact after college, form a genuine connection with an alum, and strengthen your ties to the Blue Devil community.

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What grade levels will get the opportunity to participate in this pilot?

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For this pilot program, sophomore students will be prioritized first, but Juniors and Seniors are likely to receive pairings based on high alumni participation so far (if you are a Junior or Senior who is interested, we still encourage you to fill it out). Because Blue Devil Buddies serves the purpose of mentorship for first-year students getting acclimated to Duke, freshmen will not be able to join the program. For those freshmen hoping to join, look out for the sign-up next iteration!

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Why is this a pilot program? When will this program run again?

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This program is brand new, and we will be using this pilot to evaluate how to better the program for future iterations. In the future, the program will be open to a wider group. As for when the next installment of this program will run, that is TBD. To participate this time, fill out the survey by November 1!

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Will my mentor be from my intended career field?

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Our algorithm takes into account many different factors, one of which is your intended career. While we understand the desire to meet a Duke alumnus whose footsteps you might want to follow, we encourage you to embrace the potential of learning from a professional in a different field in case of your pairing not being a perfect match. Be curious about your mentor’s experiences. Hearing about others’ experiences can be a powerful way to gain new perspectives. Sometimes the most valuable insight comes from unexpected places! 

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How do pairings work?

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We have designed an algorithm to match you with a mentor. It takes into account your background, academic interests, career/industry interests, intended post-grad location, and other criteria based on your survey responses. Using code designed specifically for this Blue Devil Bridges project, the pairing will be made without bias. The final question allows you to prioritize what aspects are important to you in the survey, which the algorithm takes into account. When pairings go out, mentors and mentees will be sent each other's contact information.

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How formal is this mentorship? How often will I speak with my mentor?

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One of the criteria for matching is the desired frequency of meetings and how long you and your mentor wish sustain a mentor/mentee relationship. Ultimately, the proximity of you to your mentor is up to you both. We do expect you to represent Duke University with cordial and positive communication, and if you wish to continue the mentoring relationship, our mentee guide will provide advice on navigating that.

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How long will the mentorship last?

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When assigning your mentorship, we take into account how long you want to be in contact. If the pairing is a strong connection, hopefully, you will choose to stay in contact well beyond the program launch. That being said, how long you stay in contact with them is up to you and your mentor. Something to note: we understand if your relationship might not be the best fit. In that case, we encourage you to reach out to Blue Devil Bridges for a new pairing or engage with other resources to contact alumni, all of which can be found on the alumni center’s page: https://alumni.duke.edu/

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How can I further engage with more alumni?

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Other existing tools that remain robust resources include the Duke Alumni Network, Ask A Blue Devil, the Duke Alumni LinkedIn group, and the LinkedIn Duke University alumni lookup. Additionally, there is an extensive body of resources available to alumni and students.

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How do I proactively manage my mentorship?

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​Successful relationships happen when partners have thought through their expectations for mentoring. As you enter into your mentoring relationship, be sure to establish clear and reasonable expectations. Be prepared to talk with your mentor about what your needs are. Articulate your career goals, ideas and dreams (you don’t have to have these all figured out). Plan the topics or questions you would like to discuss with your mentor for each session. Goals will guide the relationship and your conversations.

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What if I don’t have a preference to be paired with someone of the same identity?

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While we will be asking questions related to identity and background, there is no requirement to answer them. Student preference in what to be matched on will be taken into consideration on the survey. By incorporating demographics into the questionnaire process, the goal is to empower students with the opportunity to connect with an alum of their affinity group, allowing for a deeper connection built on shared identities.

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Will this be entirely virtual?

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Alumni are encouraged to conduct communication online. However, this is not a requirement. If, at some point, you can meet your mentor in person, that is a discussion that can happen down the line with your alum.

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I have another question, how can I get in contact with the Blue Devil Bridges team?

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Don't hesitate to email us at BlueDevilBridges@duke.edu! We are here to help.

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