Mentorships

Mentorship programs allow students to perform on-the-job training in a sports-related organization based upon their future careers. The Academy has certain requirements that mentors must meet to ensure students are taught by knowledgeable and experienced persons.

How do I find a mentor?

Students are responsible for locating mentorship opportunities. This is much the same as job hunting, i.e., sending out letters and resumes, making calls and "selling" talents to the organization. As long as the mentor meets the required criteria, the site itself really doesn't matter. However, the Academy prohibits conducting mentorships at a student's place of gainful employment. The Academy has a database of previously used mentorship sites, as well as a huge list of every sport-related organization in the United States, so we can provide leads, if necessary. Students can start by doing an Internet search of desired sport-related positions, such as "athletic director positions in or near their local area."

Are mentorships paid or unpaid?

The mentorship can be paid or unpaid; it is totally up to the mentoring organization.

What are Learning Objectives?

The mentorship is tailored to each student's and organization's needs. The student and the mentor compile a list of Learning Objectives (job duties) based upon what the organization needs done, as well as what the student desires to learn. It is important that these contain at least one task related to each course studied, so that the student gets a well-rounded mentorship experience.

What do I do in a mentorship?

The student works a specified number of hours to achieve the Learning Objectives. Progress is tracked daily and reported to the mentorship office monthly by the student and the mentor. After the hours are fulfilled, the student writes a comprehensive report about the experience, and the mentor completes a more detailed performance evaluation. The student then participates in a short interview over the phone about the mentorship experience with the mentorship advisor, who will be assigned at the beginning of the program. The student is then able to list this on-the-job training on resumes.

How long does it take to complete a mentorship?

The student is given a year in which to complete the mentorship, but can complete it as early as desired, depending on the student's schedule and how much time can be devoted to the project. Some students can complete it in a month, and others may take an entire year plus two extensions. The average is between four to eight months for students.

Can I perform the mentorship where I work?

We discourage students from setting up mentorships with their current employers. However, we do make exceptions in certain situations. Students must prove that their mentorship duties are separate from their daily duties, and mentors cannot be their gainfully employed supervisors.

Why must my mentor supply a copy of his/her resume and degree?

Not only do we want our students to receive quality education from a qualified mentor, it is required by our accrediting agency. If the mentor is not willing or able to supply the required documentation, he/she will not be approved.

What if my proposed mentor does not have the required degree?

If the proposed mentor does not have the required degree, the student should locate another mentor who does have the required degree. When that is not possible, if the mentor has many years of experience, is well-known, or if the sport organization itself has a well-known reputation, it may be acceptable.