At Mike Ilitch School of Business, we believe in the power of mentorship to transform your educational and professional journey. Our mentorship programs are designed to connect ambitious students with accomplished alumni, industry leaders, and dedicated professionals who share their knowledge, experience, and networks.
Whether you’re exploring career paths, building your skills, or preparing to launch into the workforce, our mentors guide you every step of the way. Through personalized one-on-one connections, you'll gain valuable career insights, sharpen your leadership abilities, and expand your professional horizons.
Now Accepting Applications for the 2025-2026 Mentoring Cycle!
Registration is open for both the Advancing Career Experience (ACE) Mentoring Program and the Corporate Mentor Program (CMP).
How to Register:
If you're new to the mentorship program, click "Create Account" in the upper right corner to get started. You'll be prompted to select a program and begin registration.
If you're a returning user, click "Sign In" in the upper right corner. After logging in, click your name in the upper right corner, then select "Home" from the dropdown menu to access the registration forms for the 2025-2026 cycle.
Here’s what to expect:
Personalized Mentorship
You'll be matched with a mentor based on the questionnaire you fill out at registration. Your mentor could be an experienced professional, Wayne State alumnus, or community leader.
One-on-One Guidance
Regular meetings with your mentor provide a chance to discuss your career plans, ask questions, and receive advice tailored to your aspirations.
Skill Development
Mentors help you build essential skills, such as resume writing, interview preparation, networking, and leadership.
Networking Opportunities
Your mentor can introduce you to industry professionals, share valuable connections, and offer insider knowledge about your field of interest.
Clarity and Confidence
With your mentor’s support, you’ll gain greater clarity about your career goals and the steps needed to achieve them, boosting your confidence for college to career success.
Flexible Participation
The program is designed to fit your schedule, ensuring you can balance mentoring with academics, work, and extracurricular activities.
Our programs emphasize real-world learning, personal growth, and the importance of building meaningful connections. At Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business, mentorship isn’t just about career development—it’s about building a lifelong community that supports your success.
Our Mentorship Programs
Corporate Mentor Program (CMP)
Designed for first-generation undergraduate students, the Corporate Mentor Program bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional achievement. A first-generation college student is defined as someone whose parent(s) or guardian(s) have not completed a four-year college degree.
Running from September through April, the year-long program offers personalized guidance from experienced professional to help students develop essential career skills, gain industry insight, and build a strong professional network.
Advancing Career Experience (ACE) Mentor Program
The ACE Mentor Program is a year-long program designed to connect all undergraduate business students with experienced professionals. This flexible and focused program runs during the Fall/Winter (September-April) semesters and provides tools for career planning and professional growth.
"[My Mentee] and I were able to meet in person a couple of times but mostly had virtual interactions. We would communicate via email, text, and Teams meetings. We had many conversations regarding what career paths might look like, tips and tricks when searching out internship opportunities, and what a long-term career path/goal plan looks like. [Mentee] consistently asked a lot of good questions and brought up various topics to be discussed at our monthly touch points. In the Fall we were able to have additional touch points (more than once per month) as we talked through Career Fair opportunities, research of firms, mock interview tips, and as we reviewed their resume... they really grew in confidence, communication skills, and executive presence." "[My Mentee] started with no idea what industry they wanted to focus on. Through our work together, he met with an individual in each sub-section in the technology industry, and through that exercise they narrowed in on what they wanted to do. [My mentee] then tailored his resume to meet that niche, and found employment. Great improvement by [mentee] throughout." "The most important thing I learned from my mentor was to ensure I have a short-term and long-term plan throughout for my career. Envisioning what goals I want to accomplish and ways to ensure I am on track to meet those goals. This will also help in navigating the day-to-day for long-term success, by staying focused." "From my time being with [my mentor], I learned the importance of confidence. He showed me that it is important to be confident in all actions and decisions you are making, so that you may fully commit to the action. They also taught me the importance of questions, and how too many questions is better than no questions. It is important to be curious, and there is nothing to be embarrassed when you are not sure about something. It's better to double-check rather than get it wrong."User Stories
Mentor Stories
Mentee Stories
Announcements
Share Your Experiences!
Throughout your relationship with your mentee/mentor make sure to share your experiences! You can upload a personal story pertaining to your mentoring experience that will be featured on the Home Page under User Stories.