Our work
Strathmore University envisions educating its students as all round citizens. In this effort the University has a mentoring service which is aimed at ensuring that the students are assisted in realising their potential, in helping them become mature individuals and agents of change in society.
The mentor’s vision is that every student has the supportive relationships they need to grow and develop into thriving, productive and engaged young adults.
The mentors assigned to students come from the university’s academic or administrative staff as well as part time professionals who interested in helping students attain their potential.
Mentoring enhanced self-knowledge, helps you articulate your goals and choose the people whose personality, expertise, and style are best suited to your needs. It is an activity that is tailored to the benefit of the student. It focuses on the human relationships, commitments, and resources that help undergraduate students find success and fulfillment in their academic and professional pursuits. Other objectives include:
- To produce competent professionals for the job market who can serve society with initiative, integrity, accountability and personal responsibility.
- To provide an all-round quality university education to a growing number of students who will possess, among other things, work ethics, good discipline, high moral standards, a sense of responsibility, a spirit of service and respect for others.
- Temper criticism with praise when it is deserved, and hold students to high standards to help them improve.
- To develop human virtues in the students, such as honesty, sincerity, loyalty, hard work, cheerfulness, etc., and promote mutual understanding and co-operation among members of different social, religious and ethnical backgrounds.
- To develop a culture that recognizes and respects the dignity of the human person as well as upholds family values, as well as promote a spirit of dialogue and mutual understanding, recognizing that all persons are intrinsically equal in the eyes of God and that all can and should help one another to learn and improve throughout their lives.
- To contribute to the development of society by making the students more human and making sure that ‘economic progress’ and ‘success’ do not become the guiding principles in the individual’s existence.
How many times should I meet my mentor?
The required meeting frequency is as outlined
- Undergraduate Students -Thrice (3) a semester.
- Professional Students – Once (1) a month.
What should I discuss with my mentor?
Firstly it is essential to understand that mentoring should be attended voluntarily, and the environment in which it is carried out is one of absolute confidentiality between the mentor and the student. It is not a substitution for parenting nor a guidance and counseling session. The department has identified key topics that would assist towards this goal, classed according to the academic year of study.
Mentoring Agenda
The year is the beginning of a new period of life with new expectations. The Mentor and Mentee, after familiarisation, the mentee should discuss with the mentor the following important considerations together with other related personal issues.
- Student Development Plans-Set aim for studies, clarify the choice of course.
- Personality and Temperament awareness. Knowledge of self-starting with one’s strengths. Developing character.
- University life; managing academics and social life.
- What is Strathmore University like?
- University Studies and what dimensions make for all round education.
- Potential setbacks in the 1st year
- Developing Professional Standards fitting in a University.
- Community Service and its Goal in the Education of the Student.
- Read the literature recommended by Career office and Mentoring office.
- Being the real you that you should be not can be.
Students make major decisions in this year that can affect studies, relationships and overall student development. In this year the student and mentors could tackle the following areas:
- Clarify the Community Based Attachment experience. How to expand participation through Community Outreach Program.
- Analyse the progress and experiences of the First year and set the platform for the second year with clear objectives.
- Personal development skills- What mistakes/challenges did you have in year one.
- Analysis of personality weaknesses and how to minimise or overcome them.
- Dealing with expectations and pressure from parents, lecturers and friends.
- Financial matters.
- Career related Internships and its relevance during the three months break.
- Professional certifications needed and how to balance studies for degree and the certifications.
- Participation in clubs, societies, Sports and Student council and seeking to be a leader if possible.
- Clarifying and pursuing ideas that can make one an entrepreneur and seeking support where possible.
- The benefits of public lectures organized by the university.
- Attend Career seminars organised by Career Development Office.
- Writing a draft resume at the end of 2nd Year and have it critiqued by Career Development Office.
This year forms the turning point for many students. Decisions on majors and specialisations are done in this year. The key points of engage are likely to be:
- Continued focus on Personal development. Identify what opportunities that the student has and what threats lie in wait in a given career and personality.
- Deep analysis of specializations, choice of majors and align it with personal goal set at the beginning of the course.
- Is the dream still on….what is changing and how is it changing.
- Analysis of the leadership potentials, networking skills, professional competencies and ethical demands of a given area of training.
- Reflect on the past 2 years at university and what specific field one chooses for their future professional focus.
- Clear all pending academic credits.
- Attend a couple of mock interview to get the feel of it.
- Write a comprehensive resume for the industrial internship.
- Participate in leadership of the clubs, societies or student council.
This is the final year of studies. It is a year that brings with it the anxieties of leaving and joining a world of unknown. The mentee should seek information on the following areas.
- Follow up with Industrial attachment experience. Discuss the strengths of the experience, what was learnt, what gaps miss in the training and the way to fill up the gaps.
- Find an industrial mentor and make several connections in the industry.
- Discussion on topics of a personal nature that will affect the student in the professional and personal world. Topics such as temporary unemployment, employment trends, networking skills, friendships, use of money especially after a first salary after graduation, ethical concerns in job hunting, marriage, postgraduate studies among other topics that the mentee has.
- Update ones resume and hand it to the careers office for recruitment and referral programs. This is a very easy way to get your your 1st job.
