Last January, the Saint Louis University Student Alumni
Association and Career Services began the Billikens Encounter
Alumni Mentors (BEAM) program.

The purpose of the BEAM program is to match SLU undergraduate
students with SLU alumni professionals, based upon similar
interests and career decisions.

Mentors involved with the program tell BEAM participants about
day-to-day work that is involved with the student’s career
path.

Student participants and mentors complete applications, and SAA
pairs them after the applications are reviewed. There are no
requirements or qualifications involved with becoming a student
participant in the program.

The amount of interaction between the mentor and the student is
determined by the student. Mentors are contacted by students via
phone or e-mail; whether or not there is face-to-face interaction
is also determined by the student. However, time accommodations
must be made for the mentor, since he or she has a career and
schedule.

In addition to meeting alumni with similar career interests, the
program allows students to develop professional contacts.

As the program draws to a close at the end of the year, an
appreciation event will be held for the mentors. Both students and
mentors involved with the program are asked to evaluate the outcome
of their experiences.

Applications for the BEAM program are available online and more
information about the program is provided.