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Whether you’re returning to school, changing careers, or balancing school with work and family, the leap from college to a career is often intimidating, especially if you don’t have a solid support network. The global mentorship initiative (GMI) brings together thousands of mentors from all over the world to prepare adult learners and students for the workforce and bridge the gap between graduation and employment.
Adult learners often have more complex career histories, and the GMI program helps them overcome confusion and challenges as they take the next step in their professional journeys. Over several months, they get a sneak peek at what’s waiting for them outside the classroom and gain experience-based insights from experts in their fields.
This article will introduce you to the GMI mentorship program at City University of Seattle, break down how it works, and explain what you can do to get involved.
What Is GMI Mentorship at CityU?
CityU’s GMI mentorship is a structured program connecting students with experienced workers from a wide range of organizations. This free program is one of several career services available at CityU.
It matches students with GMI mentors, business leaders who know how to promote career readiness and confidence in students embarking on a new professional path. It’s also flexible, allowing students who are working full-time to easily build mentoring sessions into their already busy schedules.
These mentors come from multinational corporations across multiple industries. They offer guidance and mentoring resources you can use in the future, whether you’re changing careers or entering the workforce for the first time.
Through this program, you’ll build connections with business professionals before graduating and taking your first job in your chosen area of interest. Those relationships help smooth some of the rough edges of a mid-career transition.
The Mission Behind GMI
CityU’s mentorship program is the product of a partnership with GMI, a worldwide program designed to ease the transition from graduation to employment and enable people from all backgrounds to access meaningful work opportunities. To accomplish that goal, the program prioritizes mentors who reflect qualities of transformational leadership and are committed to supporting rising professionals.
Through one-on-one virtual sessions, mentors provide guidance about the post-graduation job search process, including building a resume and preparing for interviews. They also expose you to the expectations of typical business environments and what skills you’ll need to succeed in your first job. Their professional insights align with the realities of modern careers and workplaces, so you have a clear picture of what’s waiting for you after graduation day.
How the GMI Mentorship Program Is Structured
The GMI program has a carefully structured design to help you excel in your professional life. It consists of a series of modules covering essential content related to job preparation and the hiring process.
12-Session Mentorship Format
The GMI model is a mentorship pathway with 12 one-hour virtual sessions. During these meetings, you’ll speak directly to your mentor using an online video platform. In addition, you’ll receive pre- and post-session assignments to help reinforce what you discuss, with each activity lasting around 30 minutes.
This is the general mentorship curriculum:
- Introductions
- Building a resume or CV
- Using AI in your career journey
- Building business networks
- Developing career plans
- Professional skills development
- LinkedIn techniques
- Job interview preparation
- Job search strategies
- Standing out in the workplace
- Navigating the global business environment
Your mentor can adjust the focus of your conversations based on your specific circumstances and needs to ensure they address your career-related concerns.
The program generally lasts 12 weeks, with one session per week, but you and your mentor will develop a schedule that works for you. You can stretch it for longer, but meeting consistently at least twice a month will help you become more comfortable and get the maximum benefit from your interactions with your mentor.
The short, flexible nature of this career readiness mentoring means you can participate without neglecting your academic responsibilities. Spending an hour a week talking to a business expert allows you to develop professional skills while still leaving time to study and attend your classes.
Mentor Matching Process
GMI limits program participation to mentors with the necessary professional experience and dedication to the program, but that doesn’t mean every person is a perfect fit for you. A strong mentor-student relationship starts with the right match.
To ensure you and your mentor start off on the right foot, the GMI program requires both parties to fill out program applications describing their background and goals. This information is critical when deciding which mentor is most appropriate for each student.
The priority when creating matches is professional alignment. When you work with a mentor who has shared interests, your human connection is more lasting and natural, and your conversations flow more easily.
What Students Gain From GMI Mentorship
CityU doesn’t require any students to work with GMI mentors, but you can learn a lot from these weekly conversations.
Personalized coaching is the core advantage of participating. The subjects you discuss with your mentor can provide you with career clarity, helping you pinpoint your goals and decide how to reach them by developing a long-term career plan. During your virtual sessions, you and your mentor will discuss how to develop transferable skills employers are looking for and what companies consider when evaluating prospective employees.
Along with helping you write an effective resume and fine-tune your answers to common interview questions, a mentor can give practical insights into the job market and workplace environment. This knowledge ensures you’re as prepared as possible before you start submitting applications and makes the transition from the classroom to employment more seamless. The insights you gain will help you build more confidence as a job candidate and future professional, so you feel more self-assured not only when walking into interviews but also as an active employee at your new job.
Another important takeaway from the GMI program is networking access. You’ll have an immediate industry contact through your mentor, and they may introduce you to other professionals in your field. Any one of these individuals could later tell you about upcoming openings and digital job opportunities, some of which may not yet be available to the public. In some cases, networking contacts can directly introduce you to managers and prospective employers, as well as give you advice when applying for positions within their companies.
Alt text: GMI mentors help you define your professional goals and prepare you to succeed in the workforce.
Career Outcomes and Real-World Impact
Many students who participate in the GMI mentorship program feel better about their professional paths and find jobs more quickly after finishing their education. Three-quarters (74%) of GMI students have jobs within six months of graduating from their degree or certificate programs. In addition, participants’ career confidence and skills increase by an average of 37 points after completing their mentorships.
These gains in skills and confidence can improve the outcomes of your interviews and applications and alleviate some of the stress of your job search. Over time, they can also influence your ongoing professional success and prepare you to pursue career advancement.
Who Is Eligible for GMI Mentorship
To qualify for a CityU GMI mentorship, students generally must be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program, with the intention of completing it within two years. However, if you finished your degree or certificate within the past two years and are still searching for your first career job, you may still be eligible under the program’s exception policy.
In addition to being an active student or recent graduate, you must also meet these criteria:
- You’re 18 or older.
- You’re proficient in English or Spanish.
- You have access to a video-capable computer, not just a smartphone, with a stable internet connection.
- You’re ready and willing to commit to participating in 12 one-hour virtual mentoring sessions.
- You qualify for educational financial aid or are a first-generation college student.
The GMI program has no maximum age limit and welcomes adult learners. If you’re a qualifying student who wants to take advantage of every career development tool available, CityU encourages you to apply.
How to Apply to the GMI Mentorship Program
Applying to the GMI global mentorship initiative program is a fast, straightforward process for students. You can submit the form online and don’t have to provide special documentation or pay a fee.
Application Steps
GMI staff have created a streamlined form you can complete in a matter of minutes. When filling out the mentorship application, you’ll provide essential information about yourself and your background, including:
- First and last name
- Contact details
- Where you were born
- Where you currently live
- Gender
- Race
- Date of birth
In addition to requesting these details, the application also includes a space for your LinkedIn URL, which GMI staff will use to learn more about you. Although your LinkedIn profile isn’t the deciding factor when determining whether you are eligible to participate in the mentorship program, it has key information about your academic and professional history, as well as your interests. GMI staff will consider these points when deciding which mentor to assign to you.
Near the bottom of the page, you’ll also see a question about the school or youth partnership organization that referred you to the GMI program. Make sure you choose CityU from the dropdown box to ensure staff correctly process your application.
Timeline and Selection Process
GMI accepts applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any point during the year. However, think about your course load and personal obligations before applying. While the start date for your mentorship is flexible, aim to begin when you know you won’t be overwhelmed with other responsibilities.
After receiving your application, staff will review your information to confirm you meet the eligibility criteria and determine your level of need. The program focuses on underserved and underrepresented populations who can benefit the most from a mentor’s support.
Qualified students typically receive a notification about their acceptance within 48 hours of submitting their applications. If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll be assigned to a mentor, a process that usually takes at least a few weeks. While you’re waiting, you’ll get more information about the program and what you’ll need to do to get ready for your first session.
You’ll receive another email when you have an assigned mentor. At that point, you’ll schedule your first session so you can get to know one another.
How GMI Mentorship Fits Into the CityU Experience
The GMI program is one piece of CityU’s broader system of career services, which focuses on providing structured career guidance and ongoing professional growth for students from diverse backgrounds. It complements other offerings, including one-on-one coaching through the Career Center and information about networking groups and events in and around Seattle.
Mentorship through GMI also aligns with CityU’s commitment to instructor-led learning and career-focused education. In the same way our instructors provide regular feedback, your mentor offers skill-based guidance based on their extensive experience in your field. The program blends practical career knowledge into your academics, creating a more well-rounded educational experience and better preparing you to enter the workforce.
How CityU Supports Students Beyond Mentorship
At CityU, career development and academic success are about more than taking classes and participating in training programs. They rely on a comprehensive approach to student support. That’s why we offer free tutoring and advising to all students from day one.
You’ll also have access to valuable resources and tools through your specific department or college. For example, students can take part in experiential learning through the School of Business, which encourages you to innovate and helps you sharpen your soft skills so you’re ready to tackle your career immediately after graduating.
Take the Next Step With GMI Mentorship at CityU
Working with a GMI mentor is an opportunity to form a lasting connection with a working professional who understands the obstacles and opportunities you’ll face moving forward. This free program will help you get ready to jump feet-first into your career, addressing common concerns about job searching, including writing a resume and nailing tricky interview questions.
If you meet the eligibility requirements and want to start working with a mentor, you can fill out an application today. Request information if you have questions or want to learn more about CityU and the GMI program.
