Mentors Matter

Five cold messages a day. That was the challenge Spencer Poll set for himself on the Forever Utah Network (FUN), the U’s networking hub. What the junior aspiring HR professional didn’t expect was how those simple outreach attempts would transform into three to four weekly conversations with U alums—and ultimately reshape what he thought possible for his career after graduation.

“Honestly, it was something essential that I never realized I needed,” Poll says. “There’s just something helpful about connecting with other Utah grads. I feel so much more prepared now, so much more confident about my future.”

That confidence boost isn’t just feel-good fluff. A recent Gallup survey found that people with mentors were nearly twice as likely to be engaged at work and reported significantly higher overall well-being. The findings also show that employers consistently report that robust professional networks often lead to stronger career outcomes.

U Alumni has made connecting students with experienced mentors a core mission. Their creative approaches cut through the intimidation factor of traditional networking—like turning a room in the Union Building into an impromptu mini-golf course where conversations flow naturally between putts, or hosting casual speed mentoring sessions that pair students with industry insiders. These low-pressure environments turn networking from a chore into genuine relationship-building, says Karen Ashton BS’80, associate director of networking at U Alumni.

“We have these outstanding students who are just looking for a nudge in the right direction,” notes Ashton. “A few quick emails from alumni could make all the difference for students. What might be a short time investment for an alum could profoundly change a student’s trajectory.”

The Forever Utah Network has already attracted over 6,000 alumni and 2,000 students. Beyond mentorship, it’s a vibrant hub for job opportunities, professional networking, and community building.

Your experience could be the spark that ignites a student’s future path—join the community at forever.utah.edu.