The TeamUP undergraduate mentoring program utilizes a one-on-one mentoring model that provides individualized mentorship for you and your unique circumstances, talents, and interests. TeamUP helps you maximize the potential of your undergraduate education and future business career. This mentoring program allows you to match with your own mentor, drawn from a large pool of motivated business professionals, and get personalized guidance.
Take action toward your goals, clarify your doubts, and gain invaluable knowledge and confidence through TeamUP!
Program Structure
TeamUP offers scalable, impactful, and flexible mentoring to fit RBS undergraduate students’ schedules and needs.
- Duration of program: One Semester (4-5 months)
- Approximate Time Commitment: 5-6 hours total
- Program Requirements include:
- Complete your TeamUP online profile
- Attend TeamUP orientation
- Schedule and attend at least 3 meetings with your mentor
- Maintain regular contact with your mentor throughout the semester
- Complete the online program evaluation
Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Achievement and an invitation to the Annual Mentoring Celebration held each spring.
Eligibility
- Be in good standing at the University
- Be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Undergraduate Student
- 2nd-semester freshmen who apply will be admitted the following semester
- Transfer students can request to join by sending their transcripts from their previous institution to mentoring@business.rutgers.edu
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (New Brunswick) or 2.85 (Newark)
Joining TeamUP
Students cannot apply to TeamUP, the program is INVITATION ONLY. The TeamUP program is offered every Fall and Spring semester. Eligible students are invited to join TeamUP the semester prior to the start of the program. An invitation will be sent via email.
Expectations of Students
Do...
- Take a proactive role in shaping the relationship.
- Understand what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicate your goals and aspirations to your mentor. Balance personal and professional relationship with your mentor.
- Set aside time for the mentoring process and keep all schedule appointments with your mentor.
- Display professional behavior.
- Put the time with your mentor to the best use. Come to meetings prepared with planned topics.
- Respond in a timely manner to your mentor's feedback. Respond to emails from your mentor, at most, two days after receipt.
- Be open and honest with your mentor about your challenges and weaknesses.
- If something concerning the mentor needs to be discussed with others, it should first be discussed within the mentoring relationship.
Don't...
- Expect your mentor to find you a job or internship. That is not the purpose of the program.
- Blame the mentor if his or her advice doesn't work out.
- Commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep.
- Cancel meetings/visits with your mentor at the last minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I join TeamUP?
We recommend that students join the TeamUP program when they feel comfortable in their major and career aspirations. Students do not need to know the exact area or position they want to work in, but they should know what major they are pursuing and general goals.
How many times can I participate?
Students are eligible to participate in the TeamUP program again if they choose. Students must get matched with a different mentor if decided to join more than once. Students must let program administrators know they would like to participate again to get permission for reactivation.
How do I sign up?
Students cannot apply to join the TeamUP program; they have to be invited. Students can join TeamUP by utilizing the personalized link sent to them during recruitment. If you meet the eligibility requirements, but did not receive an invitation to the program, please reach out to the program administrators.
Can transfer students join TeamUP?
Yes. Transfer students who do not yet have a Rutgers GPA should email a copy of their transcripts to mentoring@business.rutgers.edu with a request to join the program. Please note that these requests will only be accepted before the start of the program semester.
Do I get to choose my mentor?
Yes. The Chronus platform populates the best potential matches for students based on an algorithm that analyzes the profile responses of both students and mentors. During Mentor Matching Week, students send requests to mentors they are interested in working with. While students are able to request mentors, mentors are also allowed to accept or decline an invitation, so we encourage students to send 2-3 simultaneous requests.
How do I get matched with a mentor?
The Chronus platform populates the best potential matches for students based on an algorithm that analyzes the profile responses of both students and mentors. During Mentor Matching Week, students send requests to mentors they are interested in working with. While students are able to request mentors, mentors are also allowed to accept or decline an invitation, so we encourage students to send 2-3 simultaneous requests.
Where do the mentoring meetings take place?
Each mentoring pair determines their own meeting place. Mentors and mentees decide where to meet based on what is most convenient and effective for them. Some potential meeting places include a local coffee shop or café, Rutgers campus, the mentor’s office, etc. While we recommend trying to meet in person as often as possible, pairs can fulfill the meeting requirements virtually.
What can I do if the mentoring relationship is not going well?
While we hope that every mentoring pair works well and is fruitful, we understand that sometimes this is not the case. If there is an issue in your mentoring relationship (mentor isn’t responsive, mentor cannot offer the guidance you are looking for, etc.), please reach out to the program administrators with your concern. We approach each situation on a case-by-case basis and work with you to determine the best solution.
How long or how many times can a mentor or mentee stay connected?
While each mentoring relationship only lasts one semester in a formal capacity, mentors and mentees are welcome to continue their mentoring relationship outside of the program for as long as they would like. Make sure to have this discussion with your mentor if this is something of interest.
I’m not sure how to utilize a mentoring relationship. Will I receive guidance on this?
Yes. Orientation offers an overview of the program, including advice on mentoring relationships such as: what to discuss, goal setting, and mentoring etiquette.
Will this program help me get an internship and/or job?
Our programs are mentorship programs. Students should not expect or ask their mentors to help them get an internship/job. While the mentoring relationship may help students gain the skills and knowledge to receive an internship or job, it is not appropriate for students to expect or ask for this.