Reader Family Industry Mentor Program

Running from February 2026 through April 2026.

Program Overview and Mission

Manning School of Business undergraduate students, including Bachelor's to Master's (B2M), are invited to participate in the Reader Family Industry Mentor Program at UMass Lowell. 

The Reader Family Industry Mentor Program offers intentional mentorship for students by pairing them with industry partners and alumni. 

• Students will build professional relationships and networks as they receive insight and advice related to professional, academic and personal success. 
• Mentors will assist students in the transition from academic to professional life and support their personal success at UMass Lowell and as they explore early career opportunities. 

By connecting with professionals in the workplace, students will accelerate their growth as they navigate career possibilities.

Expectations

The mentor and mentee connect for at least (1) hour per month. This meeting may be over Zoom/MS Teams, a phone call or in-person. 

The program typically runs from September/October to April/May. At that point, mentors and mentees can either decide to leave the program or opt in for another/different match the following year. This allows mentors and mentees the ability to engage with more students/industry professionals.

Learning Objectives

By the end of a mentorship cycle, mentors and mentees should have completed:

• Meet and Greet
• Self-Exploration
• Career Exploration
• Discuss resume, LinkedIn page, cover letter
• Discuss job search and personal marketing strategies

Important Key Dates and Notes

• Mentor Application Submission Deadline: Currently on a rolling basis for our pilot program, for Fall 2026, Friday, October 2
• Mentorship Pairing Announcement: Week of October 12
• Community Kick Off: Thursday, October 22, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Midpoint Networking Night: February
• Closing Celebration: April/May

Program Director Contact Information

Tom Clark, Director, Reader Family Industry Mentor Program
thomas_clark1@uml.edu
Connect with Tom Clark on LinkedIn

If you are interested in this program as a mentor, please fill out the Mentor Interest form!

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the program work? Students are matched with a mentor based on industry interest and their major concentration. Each mentor meets with their mentee between October/November and April/May for at least (1) hour per month. Mentors and Mentees are encouraged to use resources provided, such as our guides and informative and inspirational emails throughout the cycle.

How are the meetings between mentor and mentee run? At the first meeting, mentors and mentees will establish some goals and talk through some topics they will want to cover. Examples might be, "What are two professional roles in my field of interest that maybe I haven't considered?" or "How can I best communicate my unique skills in a job interview?" The mentor will work with the student to identify topics each meeting. The format is flexible, so participants can identify topics that are best suited for them, and students can prepare questions for their mentor that spark conversation and reflection.