Mentorship and advising have been some of the most meaningful aspects of my time at Princeton. Being on the receiving end of this kind of guidance has allowed me to feel more connected to the campus community at large. This support has been a conglomeration of mentors and advisers from all over the University, ranging from my residential college staff over at Mathey College to professors willing to lend a listening ear, and even upperclassmen. These individuals have helped me grow not only as a student but as a young professional and young adult as well.
The Princeton University Mentoring Program (PUMP) is one of the many mentorship opportunities available to students. It is housed within the Carl A. Fields Center on campus, which is the focal point for many affinity spaces and cultural communities on campus. PUMP seeks to provide valuable support and resources to first-year students of color in order to help them navigate Princeton with confidence. Through PUMP, participating first-years are matched with one peer mentor (either a sophomore, a junior, or a senior) and one alumni mentor. Throughout the school year, mentees form close bonds with their peer mentors and periodically meet with their alumni mentors virtually.
The process for forming these matches is typically carried out by the PUMP coordinator within the Carl A. Fields Center staff. All PUMP participants submit a form early in the school year outlining their personal and career interests. They are then matched according to compatibility. My junior year, this meant being matched with a first-year who was interested in learning more about the Politics Department, and being matched with an alumna currently attending law school—something both my mentee and I were interested in pursuing.
PUMP members participate in a variety of activities. The core of the program is the time spent one-on-one between mentees and their mentors. Each pair receives a small stipend each month to encourage them to get a small meal together on Nassau Street, or to use as they see fit (some might even use it to go kayaking near campus). Pairs are encouraged to meet a few times each month and maintain consistent communication. One of the pillars of peer mentorship relies on approachability and dependability, and that is cultivated through these frequent interactions, where mentees can ask questions about their academics or campus life more generally. As a peer mentor, you are responsible for staying up to date on knowledge surrounding potential resources that may be helpful for your mentee. Additionally, the PUMP executive board hosts a variety of monthly workshops, meetings, and social events for both mentees and mentors. Some examples include an event discussing internship opportunities, a presentation on campus resources and offices, and painting nights. Often, delicious catering from nearby restaurants is provided.
Altogether, PUMP helps students acclimate to the academic and cultural dynamics of the University in a space meant to feel like home. Many students go on to maintain their friendships with past mentors over the years—a testament to the impact that the program has for those who participate. Although I have stepped down from my position as a peer mentor this year, I leave with fond memories of the program and hope that first-year students continue taking advantage of such an amazing resource and community on campus.