FSU ISD Alumni Mentorship Program

The FSU Instructional Systems program has a rich, proven history and the distinction of being on the initiating end of establishing this discipline. Alumni who have graduated from this stellar program over the years and moved into prominent careers in all fields carry with them a wealth of knowledge and experience of which current students could benefit.

 Our Alumni Council is currently providing the Master’s Mentorship program, but a mentorship program is in the works for ISD Ph.D. students as well. It is slated to start in Fall 2013. Here’s information on both of these programs.

Master’s Mentorship Program

The FSU ISD Alumni Council has endeavored to harness this knowledge and experience and make it available to current students through our Master’s Mentorship program that occurs, each semester, near the end of the final semester for interested graduating students.

Since the program began in Fall 2011, volunteer alumni mentors have provided enormous support to over 25 graduating Master’s students so far who have been willing to take mentors up on their offer to support them. Examples of the kinds of support students have received include:

·         Employment and career guidance

·         Gaining insights on networking, resume building, career fields, and professional situations

·         Receiving portfolio assistance

·         Gaining a deeper understanding of instructional design

In fact, where the stars aligned, a couple of mentors hired their mentees after developing relationships with them!

While being hired by a mentor is not the goal, this overview highlights the tremendous value that can be received through the FSU ISD Alumni Master’s Mentorship.

Current FSU ISD Master Students are encouraged to contact Dr. Sue Ebbers for more information about this opportunity at: ebbers@changebydesign.us or 850.445.6303

 Ph.D. Mentorship Program

 Late in 2012, our Alumni Council reached out to FSU ISD Ph.D. students, asking them to provide input on what would be helpful to them in terms of a mentorship program. The results indicated differing needs over the life of their doctoral program, and three insertion points were identified for mentors to be paired with mentees:

·         Beginning: Before being accepted through Year 1 of the Ph.D. program.

·         Middle: Year 2 of the program through completion of Prelims, including discussions focused on such topics as research, writing papers, publishing, presenting at conferences, and identifying a major professor.

·         End: Dissertation, defense, considering post-graduate professional options, CV development & evaluation, and supporting job hunting efforts.

While planning has not yet been completed, our Alumni Council are working towards implementation of a pilot Ph.D. mentorship program in the fall, 2013. Watch for messages about this during the summer 2013!