Everyone can benefit from mentorsregardless of age or position. This year, weve gained insight from ours and made educated decisions as a result. Over the last year, Nick has benefited from his peers insights on a number of issues, and Ive been able to concentrate on keeping the network I build during my last job hunt strong. The adage Build your network before you need it has never been truer as we continue in these uncertain times, and mentoring helps keep you information about issues in your field.

For DePaul graduates in Chicagoland, I cant stress the value of the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) program. As a graduate student at DePaul, I knew nothing about this program, but during my last job hunt, I heard about it and effectively used it to polish my interviewing and networking skills. My current position didnt come directly from ASK, but I know my experiences with its mentors helped me landed my position.

According to ask.depaul.edu/, ASK is a network of committed alumni and friends who serve as career mentors, working with students one-on-one, in practice interviews and at job fairs, and speaking at networking events and open houses throughout the university. By sharing accomplishments, insights and connections, the ASK volunteer network can help open important doors for professional growth and networking.
There are nearly 1,000 mentors in ASK at any given time who represent a variety of professional expertise.

Through your alma mater or the plethora of available mentoring programs, we urge you to give back and help those seeking your insight. Programs like DePauls ASK highlight the best qualities in each othercompassion for others and the desire to help. If youre looking for a way to give back in 2010, we hope youll consider mentoring regardless of the program.

About Us: Were a married couple living in Schaumburg. Nick runs his own law office, www.nickrichardsonlaw.com, and I work in communications promoting eggs.
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Therichardsonstakeatgmail.com.