For Alumni:

Q: What is Career Links?

As a Career Links volunteer, students will ask you for advice on topics ranging from a particular career to how to find housing in a specific geographic location. Your role is to serve as a mentor to provide the students with the knowledge and insight gained from your professional experience. This type of information can be very beneficial to our students in determining their future career path.
Students can use the information shared in a informational interviews with Career Links members to learn more about:

• A particular career field, industry, or employer
• Discuss current career trends and job-related issues
• Get advice about your job search

Q: How do I access Career Links?

To participate in Career Links:
• Simply click the located on the Career Center’s homepage
• Open the Register to Become a Mentor!! link. Complete a brief profile that includes your contact information, employment history, and interests
• Last, create a username and password
If you have additional questions or for more information, please contact the Career Center, 303 Martindale, (662) 915-7174. Thank you for choosing to be a part of our program!

Q: How should I prepare for the students/alumni that contact me?

• Have a copy of your resume or vitae available so you have easy access to a snapshot of your work history. Alumni and students will probably be interested in asking you about yourself, your industry, your occupation, and your educational background.
• They may also be interested in obtaining advice or insight about your industry, as they are likely gathering information to make a decision about their own future. The Career Center encourages students to request a informational interview. Alumni and students are provided with a list of possible questions that can help direct the conversation.
• While being interviewed, feel free to decline to answer any questions you don't want to answer.

Q: How should I prepare for the students/alumni that contact me?

• Have a copy of your resume or vitae available so you have easy access to a snapshot of your work history. Alumni and students will probably be interested in asking you about yourself, your industry, your occupation, and your educational background.
• They may also be interested in obtaining advice or insight about your industry, as they are likely gathering information to make a decision about their own future. The Career Center encourages students to request a informational interview. Alumni and students are provided with a list of possible questions that can help direct the conversation.
• While being interviewed, feel free to decline to answer any questions you don't want to answer.

Q: Will this person ask me for job leads?

They have been advised not to ask for a job or internship. The goal of CareerLinks is to network and to promote communication between The University of Mississippi alumni and students. However, we encourage students to submit a resume at the end of a meeting. You are not obligated to pass along job leads.

Q: How often should I update my profile?

Periodically, the Career Center will send you a e-mail asking that you review your profile information and make any necessary corrections. You should always update your profile when you move or change jobs.

Q: How do I update my information when I move or change jobs?

Go to www.career.olemiss.edu/can. Log in with your user name and password. Click “edit info” in the sections that require changes and click on “make changes” at the bottom of the screen. If you have forgotten your username and password, please contact Toni Avant at toni@career.olemiss.edu. Toni will send verify and email your user name and password.

Q: How can I removed from the contact list?

Annually, you will receive an e-mail asking you to renew your volunteer status and update your profile. If you would like to discontinue your participation prior to a year's time, please contact Toni Avant, Director of the University of Mississippi Career Center, toni@career.olemiss.edu.

Q: How many people will likely contact me?

You can select the maximum number of times to be contacted per month. To change the number of times you can be contacted, go to the “contact information” section in your profile. Once students have exceeded your limit for one month, your name will be masked and will not appear in any search results for another 30 days. If your profile is detailed enough to answer the student’s questions, there may be no need for additional contact. It is left entirely up to the student to decide if he/she wishes to make further contact with you.

Q: What kind of information should I include in the employment information?

Select the career field and industry that is the closest match to what you do. Try to include not only what your industry is but also what you do in your job description. The skills should be readily identifiable to others involved in your industry; and any specialized skills or training that is integral to what you do. In the career advice section, describe how your personal experiences have helped or hindered in building a successful career.

Q: As a volunteer, am I eligible to search the network for contacts?

Yes. You just need to register as a user as well as a volunteer. Please contact Toni Avant for information on how to register as a user.

Q: I’m having problems with logging on to CareerLinks, what should I do?

Please note that the username and password are case sensitive. For example, MENTOR1 , Mentor1 and mentor1 would be treated as different passwords or user names. If you continue to have problems please contact our office at 662/915-7174.