You are here: American University Washington College of Law Career WCL Career Mentoring Program

WCL Career Mentoring Program

Back to top

Student Applications for 2025-2026 are available from November 26 to December 12, 2025

To be successful in the program, students and mentors should be prepared to engage with and learn career readiness and competencies and skills, work towards shared goals and commitments together, and regularly participate in WCL Career Mentoring Program events and activities.

Contact Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Grace Engelhart with questions. Click here to meet this year's mentors.

Selected
Students
Mentors

Why join the WCL Career Mentoring Program?

Mentorship is a valuable tool for achieving your career goals, developing as a legal professional, and finding greater fulfillment in your journey through law school and beyond. This program offers the opportunity to gain a willing and supportive mentor in the legal field who can help you gain valuable insights into the legal profession, navigate career opportunities effectively, and expand your professional network.

By the end of the academic year, if you commit to this program, you should expect to:

  • Connect with at least one new legal professional to grow your network
  • Enhance your professional communication and networking abilities
  • Better understand the recruiting timelines and processes for law school
  • Build confidence in interacting with attorneys and navigating legal settings
  • Receive tailored advice on choosing coursework aligned with your career goals
  • Explore a specific area of law through your mentor's insights
  • Broaden your awareness of internship and job opportunities within your mentor's legal field

What is the commitment?
In order to be successful in the program, students should be prepared to:

  • Dedicate at least 5 hours per month
  • Regularly meet and interact with your mentor, honor any commitments made, and communicate promptly and professional if changes are needed
  • Identify your needs and expectations and discuss them with your mentor throughout the year
  • Understand your mentor's expectations of you and ask for clarification as needed
  • Take initiative in the mentoring relationship, and be responsible for your own career development
  • Ask questions and participate in conversations
  • Be open to receiving constructive feedback and advice
  • Keep your mentor informed of your progress throughout the year
  • Accept and value one another's differences
  • Maintain a professional demeanor and positive attitude in all interactions

Eligibility

  • 2L, 3L and 4L students
  • WCL students in good academic standing may apply
  • Studetns who are accepted to the program should demonstrate commitment to prompt and professional communication, thoughtful engagement with professional development goals, and initiative to create and maintain a meaningful professional relationship with your mentor.

Application

Student applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. If you are interested in being a mentee for the 2025-2026 Academic Year, please fill out this form.

Please contact Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Grace Engelhart if you have any questions.

Why become a WCL Mentor?

Mentorship is an essential part of a well-rounded legal education and a successful legal career. As legal professionals, you know that the path to becoming a confident, capable attorney is rarely walked alone. Think back to a mentor that you had (or still have!) and how their support has influenced your career and life. Joining the WCL Career Mentoring Program will allow you to not only give back to the WCL community, but help shape the next generation of legal professions, providing students with the tools, confidence, and connections they need to thrive. This is your chance to invest in the future of the legal profession, one aspiring lawyer at a time.

Mentors will be given guidance at the outset of the program to help them plan and execute an effective mentoring experience with their mentee. Mentors will be provided with all of WCL’s online career resources, suggested activities, and conversation starters for each month of the program. These tools are designed to help your student mentee build key career skills, like communication, critical thinking, and leadership. Your mentee will also set personal and professional goals early in the program, and your support will be key to helping them reach those goals. Naturally, mentors are also encouraged to bring their own insights and offer any of their own suggested activities to help their student mentees grow professionally throughout the program.

With your support, your student mentee will have:

  • Connected with at aleast one new legal professional to grow their network
  • Enhanced their professional communication and networking abilities
  • Improved their understanding of the recruiting timelines and processes for law school
  • Built confidence in interacting with attorneys and navigating legal settings
  • Received tailored advice on choosing courseowrk aligned with their career goals
  • Explored a specific area of law through your insights
  • Broadened their awareness of internship and job opportunities within your legal field.

Eligibility

Mentors must be American University alumni. Alumni mentors are expected to offer 1-5 hours of mentorship each month for the entire academic school year (September - May).

Application

Mentor applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. If you are interested in being a mentor for the 2025-2026 Academic Year, please fill out this form.

Please contact Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Grace Engelhart if you have any questions.