The SOAR program at Ashland University is looking for students to get involved in their professional program.

What is SOAR?

Seeking Opportunities Achieving Results

SOAR is a program designed to further assist students in the field beyond the university’s walls. Students are linked with AU alumni who share the same career field in order for students to develop professional networks and learn about potential careers by conducting informational interviews. 

“It’s basically like a ‘big brother, big sister’ program,” said Lauren Miller, program director and marketing of the SOAR program. “Students get tips and insights of the big world.”

How to sign up for SOAR?

Students can register online at www.ashland.edu/career, then navigate to “The SOAR Mentoring Program” quicklink and select “SOAR Student Registration Form.”

After students register, there are six simple steps to follow.

1) Draft or Update your Resume

A student who develops and updates their resume will allow them to introduce their abilities, skills and experiences to the appropriate SOAR mentor. Not only will this allow the SOAR mentors to understand students as professionals, but it also provides room for the SOAR mentors to give feedback on how students can improve their resume. 

2) Draft an introductory email to your SOAR mentor

After the SOAR mentor receives the resume, they are interested in getting to know the student outside of their resume. This might include:

– Introducing oneself as an AU student: name, major and potential career field

– Purpose for contacting 

– Share with mentor that one is seeking their expertise on a chosen career

– Establish a time to schedule or conduct an informational interview

– Thank them for their participation in the SOAR program and show appreciation for their involvement in SOAR

3) Schedule an informational interview

After sending the SOAR mentor the introductory email, confirm with them that they received it along with one’s resume. Remind the SOAR mentor the purpose for contacting them and ask if they’d be willing to schedule an informational interview time. Select a time mutually convenient for both parties.

“We want them to feel encouraged to seek these mentors so that way they can get answers for their resumes, interviews or other professional needs they’re seeking to find, said Miller. “We also want our students to have as many opportunities, internships, connections and networking as possible.”

4) Conduct informational interview

This is the process of gathering information through personal contacts. Informational interviews are helpful if one is looking to break into a career field, change jobs or careers, or move to a new geographical area. This process is used only to seek information and advice, not to be placed in a job or internship. Although, great networks can develop from informational interviews and jobs and internships can result from networks. 

“This is all about networking and developing relationships,” said Miller. “[Mentors] can give students connections and names of other people [in the field] that would be the perfect fit for students or to give the answers to the questions they’re seeking.”

Possible questions in the informational interviews all depend on what information is most important to the students. Questions may center on job responsibilities, work, environment, advancement and job security.

Sophomore Shamarr Golden reached out to a SOAR mentor her last year to help guide her in the right direction when choosing between majors.

“I feel like it’s a really good opportunity,” said Golden. “Especially if you’re not sure about the career you’re heading into. [Talking with a mentor] helps you understand more and gives a personal experience from someone who’s in that career field.”

Karen Hagans, executive director in Career Services, advises students to take advantage of the SOAR program and the mentors that offer their time to talk to students about their future. 

“It’s the whole idea of talking about life and these people can speak from experience,” said Hagans. “I think there’s something really exciting about talking with someone who’s already been there and hopefully these people can contribute to having students process what their next step might be.”

5) Send a follow-up ‘Thank You’ letter

It is important for the student to express their appreciation for the time and information given by the SOAR mentor. It is highly recommended to send a ‘thank you’ letter or email expressing their gratitude.

6) Complete the SOAR Assessment

Feedback from students who participate in the program is important because it will expand the effectiveness of the SOAR program. 

Being involved in the SOAR program doesn’t have to stop after the six steps, though. Once students get involved with the program they have the ability to become SOAR mentors in the future. 

“The ultimate goal is for students to build life-long connections with their mentors that will last,” said Miller.