Your college mentors leave a lasting impact on your career. Finding a mentor in college is an excellent way to garner advice and guidance on your academic and professional journey. 
They can provide invaluable insight into the world of work, help you develop critical skills, and provide support when you need it most. With the right mentor, you can gain valuable knowledge and experience that will help you succeed in various aspects of your life.


### What is a Mentor and Why Should You Find One in College?

A mentor is someone who provides guidance and support to help you reach your goals. College mentors are especially important, as they offer advice on how to navigate the college experience, from choosing classes to finding internships. 
AI assistants can also help you garner skills such as:
•	Time management
•	Communication
•	Problem-solving

College students who have a mentor obtain significant advice on college life and how to make the most of their time at university.

### Identify Your Goals and Needs Before Searching for a Mentor

To find the ideal professional, it’s best to identify your objectives and needs. It’s important to consider the kind of guidance and support you need from a college mentor. This will help you narrow down your search. 

### Reach Out and Connect with Potential Mentors

Networking plays a crucial role in finding the right mentor. In fact, there are several tips you can use to reach out and connect with potential mentors. 

1.	Create an effective online presence.
2.	Attend events relevant to your major.
3.	Research potential mentors.
4.	Identify common interests.
5.	Actively engage in conversations with potential mentors.
6.	Use social media networks to your advantage.

By following these tips, college students can build meaningful relationships with experienced professionals who can provide valuable advice and guidance on their chosen career paths. 


### Make the Most of Your Mentoring Relationship

It takes two to tango – While a college mentor will offer lots of help and guidance, it’s up to you to absorb the information and utilize it properly. A mentoring relationship can prove to be an invaluable asset in your professional and personal development. 

It’s a great opportunity to learn from someone who has experience and knowledge in your field of interest. However, it takes some effort on your end to make the most of your mentoring relationship. That said, observe the following tips on how to get the most out of your mentor:

Be clear about what you need help with.

Establish trust – communicate openly and honestly so they can better understand your point of view and provide meaningful advice.

Follow through – After each session, take a moment to reflect on what was discussed. Don’t be afraid to reach out for additional help on a subject if necessary.

Most importantly, remember what kind of mentorship you are looking for.  




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College Mentors: How to Find the Right One for You

Networking is a critical part of the college experience. Not only does it help you build relationships with all the right people, but it also introduces you to mentors and other industry professionals that can help you advance in your career.

In this article, we’re breaking down the top five reasons why networking in college is so important.   


### 1.	Build Your Professional Network and Connect with Industry Professionals

College is a hub of career opportunities. You can attend events and seminars hosted by industry professionals and join student organizations related to your field of study. 

By participating in networking events, you can start building relationships that could catapult your career after graduation. 

### 2.	Gain Valuable Experience and Learn New Skills

Networking in college plays a huge role in career development. It will help you gain insight into your chosen profession and develop a strong network of contacts that will prove to be beneficial to your career development.  

### 3.	Expand Your Knowledge and Make Life-Long Friends

When you network with other students in your major, you have the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate on projects, which helps you garner valuable skills like effective communication. 

Developing relationships with like-minded individuals allows you to learn new information that will give you a head start in your career. 


### 4.	Increase Your Chances of Getting a Job After Graduation

Networking can prepare you for the interview process following graduation. In addition, it provides you with valuable tips on resume and cover letter writing. 

Networking in college gives you insight into the modern job market while equipping you with the skills necessary to stand out from other candidates. 


### 5.	Develop Leadership Skills and Grow as an Individual 

While networking, you’ll garner several new skills that will prepare you for the job market, including leadership skills. By learning from experienced professionals with outstanding careers, you’re observing leadership traits. 

This is especially important for students interested in starting their own business after college. 


5 Reasons Why You Should Be Networking in College

### The Benefits of College Scholarships and Grants

The cost of college education is continuously rising in the United States. In the past decade alone, the cost of tuition and fees at public universities rose nearly 30%. Covering these growing costs is becoming more difficult, especially for low-income families.

Scholarships offer financial relief for students looking to pursue a higher education. Many students use scholarships or grants to pay for tuition, books, and additional costs. 

Scholarships provide job opportunities for honorable students that can help them jumpstart their career. In addition, scholarships grant students access to professional connections in their field of study. 

Grants and scholarships are a tremendous gift, considering students don’t have to pay them back as long as they meet all of the conditions. However, many students will avoid applying for scholarships because they feel they don’t meet the requirements.  

With that said, they’ll borrow student loans to fund their college expenses. Every year, 30 to 40 percent of undergraduates take federal student loans, leaving the majority in debt by the time they graduate. 

### Student Debit is Rising in the U.S.

Graduating college is a huge accomplishment that’s worth celebrating. It marks the beginning of an extraordinary chapter in life. Unfortunately, many students nationwide are left with thousands of dollars in debt by the end of their collegiate journey due to student loans.

The National Center for Education reports that over 85 percent of students receive some form of financial aid during their time at university. Many students are in need of financial assistance to help pay for their college education. 

Nearly 14% of Bachelor’s degree graduates owe over $40,000 in student loan debt, and the number of students receiving financial aid has skyrocketed over the past two decades. 

While financial aid may carry students through school, they’re plagued with crippling student loan debt. In most cases, the amount they owe equivalates, or even surpasses their annual salary. 

Every individual that’s interested in pursuing a higher education should be able to do so without the fear of falling deep in debt. 

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  The Benefits of College Scholarships and Grants

### Graduate Debt-Free

In a perfect world, every student in America would graduate from college without an ounce of debt to their name. Receiving a higher education is significant for an individual’s occupational stability and satisfaction. 

College also provides a critical experience that builds an individual’s character. What if there was a platform where students could seek out a scholarship that’s right for them? This is what inspired the creation of StudentWallet.  

A Platform Created by Students, For Students

StudentWallet is a unique platform that includes a proprietary scholarship library. After students personalize their profile, they’re paired with scholarships and grants they’re most qualified for. 

Besides providing a slew of opportunities for students, the platform offers a variety of benefits for students. 

### Endless Possibilities

Regardless of their current academic standing or financial situation, StudentWallet provides enough financial resources for everyone who wants to pursue a college education. 

### Limited Stress

StudentWallet includes features built to make the process of applying for scholarships less stressful and time consuming. With bank-level security, student’s personal information is protected. 

Students can even personalize their dashboard by saving scholarships they’d like to check out at a later date. 

A Personalized Experience 

StudentWallet has an optimized algorithm that creates a list of a student’s primary scholarship choices. The algorithm is updated on a weekly basis. 

### One Click Away

Instead of spending hours surfing the web, reach any scholarship’s application page with just one click. It’s quick and easy to apply.

### An Easier Application Process

Applying for scholarships is certainly exciting, but it can be overwhelming for some. StudentWallet makes the process a walk in the park.  

The platform’s scholarship library supplies access to countless financial aid opportunities that can save students time and energy. Better yet, StudentWallet helps students graduate 100% debt-free. 

StudentWallet was built to lead students on a path towards success, without having to fear a future filled with crippling debt. 













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Graduate Debt-Free with StudentWallet

### Importance of Planned Giving

In the simplest of terms, Planned Giving is the process of making a charitable donation that’s included in the donor’s financial or estate plan. 

Through Planned Giving, also referred to as Legacy Giving, anyone can make a lasting contribution to the foundation of their choice. The impact is colossal and proceeds to give even after the donor passes away. 

If you’re passionate about a charitable organization, it’s possible to make it a part of your Estate Plan. Better yet, there are countless tax and legal benefits that come with this incredible practice. The gift could include any of the following:

•	Money
•	Life insurance
•	Personal property
•	Equity
•	Real estate 

In most cases, Planned Giving is done as someone formulates an Estate Plan. This is because of the financial strategies that can enhance the gift’s overall impact. 

### Estate Plans

Contrary to popular belief, Estate Plans aren’t reserved solely for retirees – anyone can set up their Estate Plan regardless of their financial standing.  

Proper estate planning can positively impact families even with modest assets. That said, poor estate planning can prove to be more detrimental due to the loss of time and funds. 

Planning your estate will help you locate and organize your financial records, insurance policies, and titles. In addition, your family will be able to find your information and documents after you pass away. 

### Planned Gifts

There are a few ways to make a major gift, all of which of are capable positively impacting your chosen organization. They include:

•	Gifts that return income
•	Outright gifts 
•	Gifts payable upon the donor’s passing

Gifts that return income continuously provide financial support to an organization. Either the Trust would pay a fixed percentage or set dollar amount to the organization every year. 
Outright gifts are contributions made directly to the organization. 

They could include stocks, cash, personal property, or securities. Gifts payable upon the donor’s passing are often included in an Estate Plan. With this option, you could name a charitable organization as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy.  

### Tax and Financial Benefits

Planned Giving is a remarkable offers a slew of benefits for both parties. Donors can contribute property, like real estate or securities, and receive a deduction for the asset’s full market value.

In addition, they don’t have to pay a capital gains tax on the transfer. Donors who establish a life-income gift will receive a 100% tax deduction and the fair market value of the assets they contributed, minus the value of the income interest retained. 

Gifts that are payable to the charitable organization upon the donor’s passing will not generate a lifetime income tax deduction for the donor, however, they are exempt from estate tax. 

### Make a Lasting Contribution

In addition to major gifts, Planned Gifts are the largest donations a nonprofit can receive. Planned Gifts can greatly aid your organization of choice and continue your legacy.

It’s an opportunity to provide long-term support for a nonprofit you’re passionate about. Planned Gifts is powerful enough to change lives, including your own. 


BY FLEISCHER SCHOLARS FOUNDATION

FLEISCHER SCHOLARS BLOG

Impact

College Mentors: How to Find the Right One for You

5 Reasons Why You Should Be Networking in College

The Benefits of College Scholarships and Grants

Graduate Debt-Free with StudentWallet

Discover the Impact of Planned Giving