At Stuart School of Business, mentorship is more than a connection. It is a foundation for professional growth. Our programs are designed to support students at different stages of their journey, whether they are just beginning to explore professional pathways or ready for a more intensive mentorship experience.
1:1 Mentorship Program
The cornerstone of mentorship at Stuart, our 1:1 Mentorship Program connects students with experienced professionals, many of whom are members of the Stuart Board of Advisors or alumni. Over the course of six months, mentees and mentors engage in meaningful conversations, explore career paths, and build a foundation for long-term professional growth.
Through consistent check-ins, goal-setting discussions, and honest guidance, students gain valuable insights into navigating their industries and making the transition from academia to the working world. Mentees are selected through a competitive application process each fall.
Who is it for?
This program is ideal for students who have clear professional goals, value personalized feedback, and are ready to take an active role in shaping their future. Strong candidates are often those who have already begun reflecting on their development, such as through participation in the Leadership Luncheon Sessions, and are now seeking a deeper, one-on-one mentorship experience.
Program timeline
April鈥擬entorship Program announced to Stuart鈥檚 Board of Advisors
Early August鈥擬entorship Program announced to eligible students
Late August鈥擬entees are selected and paired with mentors
September鈥擮pening Luncheon
October to March鈥擬entors and mentees participate in individual or small group meetings
April鈥擟losing Luncheon
Leadership Luncheon Sessions
Launched in 2024, the Leadership Luncheon Sessions are a cohort-based group mentoring initiative that fosters early connections between students and accomplished professionals in the Stuart network. Each month, a select group of students joins a featured mentor, often a Stuart Board of Advisors member or distinguished alum, for a guided lunch conversation focused on leadership, professional growth, and navigating careers in today鈥檚 business world.
Students selected for the cohort participate throughout the academic year and engage in meaningful dialogue, personal reflection, and professional networking. Two sessions each year are open to all Stuart students, offering a broader introduction to mentorship opportunities within our community.
Who is it for?
These sessions are ideal for students who are curious about mentorship, eager to learn from experienced professionals, and ready to grow their confidence in career-focused conversations. Participation can also serve as a valuable steppingstone toward the 1:1 Mentorship Program.
Program timeline
Early September鈥擟ohort application opens
Late September鈥擲tudents are notified of selection
October to March鈥擬onthly group luncheons featuring speakers
April鈥擟losing Luncheon
Related Mentorship Opportunities
We also encourage students to engage in external mentoring programs such as Chicago Innovation鈥檚 Mentoring Co-Ops, which Stuart proudly sponsors and promotes throughout the year.
Mentorship Impact: Student Stories
鈥淥ne thing that had the biggest impact on me was hearing how leaders handle uncertainty and decision-making when a company is growing or changing direction. It helped me understand that leadership is not just about planning, but also about being adaptable and clear in communication, especially when guiding teams through transitions.鈥
鈥Mansi Milind Worlikar, M.S. Project Management student
鈥淎 memorable piece of advice that Kurt Estes gave me is that I should focus not only on the technical expertise required by the hiring companies, but also on the social aspect of the work environment. Creating connections and meaningful relationships within the company that I will end up working for was something that I hadn鈥檛 put too much thought into, and he emphasized that doing so is almost as important as doing the job well.鈥
鈥Edward Paros, B.S. Business Administration/M.S. Finance
鈥淢entoring under Rosemarie Mitchell was very beneficial for me. Apart from getting an understanding of the corporate environment from an insider鈥檚 point of view, I also came to understand what she looked for when hiring employees for her own organization. My entire resume was overhauled with every single aspect scrutinized. Our regular meetings over lunch and dinner helped me to strategize and rethink some of my approaches to organizations in terms of job applications.鈥
鈥Yuvraj Johri, M.S. Marketing Analytics 鈥20
鈥淔rank Clark really gave me insight into working in a corporate setting that I had never heard before. He was willing to talk to me about anything鈥攆rom school to sports. He even invited me to his home to meet his family. For students, this program can give you the opportunity to quickly expand your professional network with successful alumni from Stuart.鈥
鈥Anthony Thurston, B.S. Business Administration/M.S. Finance 鈥15
Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
We鈥檙e always looking to grow our network of Stuart mentors. Whether you鈥檇 like to participate in the Leadership Luncheon Sessions or provide one-on-one guidance, your insights can have a lasting impact on the next generation of business leaders.
Complete our to get started.