BradleyBridge · For mentors
Mentor a Bradley student
Give a current student the kind of advice someone once gave you.
Mentor story
Why Rob Drew mentors Bradley students
Rob Drew, managing partner at Retail Strategy Partners, mentors Bradley students because a few people did the same for him early in his career.
Rob Drew ’93
Managing Partner, Retail Strategy Partners
Why mentor
Why alumni become mentors
Give back to Bradley
Help current students with the kinds of decisions you faced at their age, in their careers and beyond.
Expand your network
Reconnect with other Bradley alumni who mentor, and build new professional relationships.
Stay connected to campus
Mentoring keeps you in touch with Bradley students and happenings around campus.
Build leadership skills
Mentoring strengthens your own coaching, communication and leadership skills.
What mentors say
My experience mentoring Bradley students has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally. Being able to give back and pay forward the guidance I’ve received in my own career makes the experience especially meaningful. The students consistently demonstrate strong curiosity, professionalism, and a genuine eagerness to learn and grow, and it’s a privilege to support their development and watch them gain confidence in their abilities.
My experience in mentoring Bradley students and Small Businesses with SCORE, for the last 9 years, is to help individuals/business owners to develop a critical thinking skill set in addressing business challenges, understanding that failure is a learning experience (not the end) in starting and growing a business and to emphasis that the “learning process” is ongoing and never ends.
How to become a mentor
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Fill out the interest form
Give us your name and email, a LinkedIn profile or website if you have one, and the role you want with BradleyBridge.
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Hear from the BradleyBridge team
We’ll email you with next steps.
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Get matched and start mentoring
You’re matched with students whose goals fit your background. Agree on a schedule and start talking.
Mentor expectations
What we ask of mentors
Reply promptly
Respond to a new student within 2 business days of being matched.
Listen first
Many students don’t know yet what to ask, so a first meeting is often about working that out. Listen, ask questions and help the student decide on next steps. Your job is to help them make their own decisions, not to give a “yes” or “no” on an idea.
Model professional habits
Keep your appointments and answer messages promptly. Students learn how professionals work partly by watching their mentors. Treat every student with respect.
Confidentiality and conflicts of interest
Keep what students tell you confidential, during and after your time as a mentor. Don’t recommend products or services that you, your family or close associates have a financial interest in, and don’t accept payment or gifts for mentoring.
Signing up as a mentor means you agree to the Mentor Sign-Up Agreement, including Bradley’s nondiscrimination policy.
Questions from mentors
How much time does mentoring take?
You set the pace. Most mentors connect with their student once or twice a month, by video call, email or in person when possible.
Do I need to be a Bradley graduate?
Priority goes to Bradley alumni, but we also welcome qualified professionals who want to support Bradley students.
What kind of help should I give?
Whatever fits your experience and the student’s needs: career advice, industry insight, resume feedback, advice on a venture, introductions to people in your network or general professional advice.
Is there training for mentors?
Yes. New mentors get orientation materials, and the program staff support you throughout.
Can I mentor more than one student?
Yes. Many mentors work with one to three students, depending on their availability.
Ready to mentor a student?
Fill out the interest form and the BradleyBridge team will be in touch about mentoring a student.