BECOME A COLLEGE & CAREER MENTOR-SPONSOR!

Help a LINK Scholar Turn Dreams into College Acceptances!

What It Means to be a LINK College & Career Mentor-Sponsor

Being a College & Career Mentor-Sponsor with LINK means making a meaningful, one-year commitment to walk alongside a Scholar during one of the most pivotal years of their life, senior year of high school. As a College & Career Mentor-Sponsor, you will provide steady guidance, encouragement and perspective as your Scholar navigates their final year of high school and the college application and decision process. From reviewing essays and discussing financial aid options to talking through big choices and managing senior-year stress, you serve as a trusted adult who listens, challenges, and believes in your Scholar’s greatness.

Mentorship is more than checking in on deadlines – it’s building a relationship rooted in consistency, trust, and advocacy. By sharing your experiences, insights, and networks you help your Scholar build confidence, expand their sense of possibility, and make informed decisions about their future.

What are the expectations of a LINK Mentor-Sponsor?

  • 1-year commitment (June – June) supporting a LINK Scholar through their ever-important senior year of high school and the college process.
  • Spend 2-3 hours a month to assist with college and career exploration and the college application and decision process.
  • Build a meaningful relationship while guiding your Scholar to, through, and beyond college.
  • A Partial Sponsorship starts at $2,500 and a Full Sponsorship starts at $5,000. These funds are to be paid within the year that you are a Mentor and support:
    • 8 hours of individualized college counseling
    • College and career exploration programming
    • Academic and leadership development experiences
    • Wrap-around support that addresses barriers to college completion

Hear firsthand from some of our current Mentor-Sponsors:

“Having witnessed the growth of my first LINK Scholar over the years we’ve known each other, I was very excited to sign up again. The opportunity to volunteer and mentor means a lot to me since so many people were kind to me in my youth and young adulthood.” -Mark McCann, two-time Mentor

“Becoming a Mentor felt like a natural extension of the support I once received. I wanted to come full circle and offer the same guidance, stability, and encouragement that helped me succeed as a young scholar.” -Nara Lucas, LINK alum and Mentor

Interested? Learn more about being a College & Career Mentor-Sponsor below and fill out the Interest Form today.

LEARN MORE

Mentor Timeline

JAN – MAY
Phase 1: Mentor Recruitment, Application, and Background Check

Those interested in becoming College & Career Mentor-Sponsor must complete the Interest Form to share your contact information. A LINK staff member will reach out to you within 48-hours of completing the form to schedule a preliminary call. During that call we will talk in much more detail about mentoring with LINK and the expectations. Following the call, you will complete an application and background check. After the background check has been cleared, you will participate in a Mentor kickoff event in June.

JUNE – JULY
Phase 2: Mentor Kickoff and Mentor/Scholar Match Event

LINK will host two in-person Mentor Kickoff events in June (dates and times TBD). Attendance at ONE of these is required. During the Mentor Kickoff session, we will review what it means to be a LINK Mentor, outline program expectations and commitments, and share tools and resources to help Mentors succeed so they feel prepared to confidently begin working with their Scholar.

We will also  host a Mentor/Scholar match event toward the end of June (date and time TBD). This event will provide an opportunity for you to meet your LINK Scholar, connect with their family, and begin building your mentoring relationship.

AUG – SEP
Phase 3: Project College Kickoff

Project College empowers LINK Scholars to navigate and excel in the college application process, with a strong emphasis on fit, affordability and timely graduation. Through group workshops and individualized college counseling sessions, we guide Scholars through the entire college application and admissions process. Scholars participate in eight 1:1 virtual college counseling sessions with LINK College Specialists. As a Mentor you will join at least 3 of these sessions providing added support and guidance. By participating in these sessions, you’ll be able to track first-hand how your Scholar is progressing with their college applications.

Mentorship FAQs

Am I qualified to be a Mentor?

At the heart of effective mentoring at LINK is a willingness to build a meaningful relationship with a high school senior as they journey through one of the most important transitions of their lives, the path to and through college. As a college and career success organization that focuses on rigorous academic preparation, we seek Mentors whose personal and professional experiences can help guide and support our Scholars. Mentors play an important role in encouraging Scholars to excel inside and outside of the classroom, explore potential career pathways and successfully navigate the college application and decision process as they prepare for enrollment at selective four-year colleges or universities. To ensure Mentors are well-positioned to support Scholars, we require Mentors to have earned a bachelor’s degree and have at least one year of professional work experience.

Can I pair up with someone to co-Mentor a Scholar?

Yes! We have co-mentor pairs who are partners, colleagues, siblings, and friends.

Once I complete the Interest Form, what happens next?

After you complete the Interest Form, we will reach out within 48 hours to schedule a 30-minute call. During this call we will ensure that our program is a good fit for you, LINK, and our Scholars. If so, you will be invited to complete a Mentor Application and background check. Once your background check is cleared, you will be invited to participate in ONE of our Mentor Kickoff events in June.

How will I be matched with a Scholar?

We aim to match Mentors and Scholars based on shared career and/or college interests. If there’s no direct alignment, we will match based on similar career and/or college interests. Additionally, we use personality traits and geographic location in the match process.

What is the timeline of the one-year experience?

Mentors officially begin their journey in June at Mentor Kickoff. You will support your Scholar through the following June with your mentoring experience culminating at our Scholar Celebration, an event that recognizes and celebrates our Scholars as they graduate and prepare to head off to college.

When will I meet my Scholar?

We will host a Mentor/Scholar match event toward the end of June (date and time TBD). This event will provide an opportunity for you to meet your LINK Scholar, connect with their family, and begin building your mentoring relationship.

Will you provide me with Mentoring guidance?

Yes! During the Mentor Kickoff session, we will review what it means to be a LINK Mentor, outline program expectations and commitments, and share tools and resources to help Mentors succeed so they feel prepared to confidently begin working with their Scholar.

Will I get assistance in supporting my Scholar through their college application and decision process?

LINK provides dedicated support to Scholars throughout the college application and decision process. We hire College Specialists, who meet monthly with Scholars to navigate step by step through the college application and admissions process (including college and scholarship applications, college selection, etc. based on each Scholar’s academic profile, interests, family preferences, and other factors related to college fit). Mentors are asked to participate in at least 3 of these virtual meetings to stay informed and provide additional support, encouragement, and perspective as Scholars navigate this important process.

Do you have suggested activities for me to do with my Scholar?

Yes! Mentors and Scholars are expected to connect twice a month via phone, email, text, or video and meet in-person at least once a quarter. Additionally, we will host LINK sponsored events throughout the year for you and your Scholar to attend. In previous years we have done White Sox games, museum days, etc. Other ideas for relationship building activities include:

  • Meeting at a restaurant to enjoy a meal together
  • Attending a Scholar’s school or sporting event
  • Attending a play, concert, movie, or sporting event
  • Spending time at your workplace, discussing your career path and meeting your colleagues
  • Visiting a museum or a college campus

What is the financial commitment required to be a Mentor and what does it provide to my Scholar?

Your investment is tied directly to supporting your Scholars participation in programming, including college counseling, workshops, enrichment opportunities, and wrap-around services needed to navigate the college application, decision, and admissions process with confidence. A full sponsorship is $5,000 while a partial starts at $2,500.

Are you ready to support a LINK Scholar in turning their dreams into college acceptances?

Complete the interest form by clicking the button below and we will follow-up with you within 48-hours to schedule a call.

LEARN MORE

Questions? Email Simon Jeffrey, Director, Mentor Recruitment & Experience at sjeffrey@linkunlimited.org

Together we impact the life trajectory of our Scholars.

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LINK Unlimited Scholars, 17 North State Street, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60602 • 312-225-5465 • info@linkunlimited.org

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