Alumni Mentor Program | UCLA Dentistry

Bruins Helping Bruins

The UCLA Alumni Mentor Program strives to foster meaningful relationships between UCLA alumni and current UCLA students. The connections made in this program help prepare our dental students for a successful future and leave a lasting impact on our campus community.

Become a Mentor on UCLA ONE

Consider becoming a mentor to share your professional and personal experience and expertise with current UCLA dental students. UCLA ONE is our online Bruin Alumni Networking Platform designed to help Bruins do exactly what they’re known for – helping other Bruins.

UCLA ONE empowers you to seek or provide mentoring opportunities to current dental students. This portal will connect UCLA alumni volunteers with eager students as part of the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program.

Become A Mentor

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Participate?

Make an account on UCLA ONE (UCLA's version of LinkedIn).

Register / Login to uclaone.com (on a computer, not a mobile device). We suggest using your LinkedIn account as it will auto-populate your information.
Complete / Update your profile by clicking on “Edit Profile” on the top right
Upload a professional photo
Include professional, academic, and volunteer experience
Under the “Offer Mentorship” section, check “UCLA Alumni Mentor Program”
Under the “About Me” section, answer the alumni question: “Why do you want to mentor a current student?”
Make sure to click “Save” at the bottom of the page to save all changes.
Await student mentor request(s) in October
Join the UCLA School of Dentistry group to network with other dental Bruins and post / seek career or practice opportunities.

For step-by-step screenshot instructions, please visit https://alumni.ucla.edu/ucla-one/.

Become an Alumni Mentor

How Will A Mentor Match Be Made?

In October, students will review alumni profiles and send a message through UCLA ONE to request mentorship.
You will review request(s) and confirm mentee(s) by the end October. You can do this through the “UCLA Alumni Mentor Program” tab on the right, under “Mentor requests and approvals.”
Once you’ve confirmed your maximum number of mentees, update your settings on UCLA ONE by going to your profile, then select “Edit Profile” and under “Offer Mentorship” uncheck “UCLA Alumni Mentor Program” to turn off your availability.
After confirming a mentee(s), you are officially part of the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program.

What Is Expected Of Me As A Mentor?

The UCLA Alumni Mentor Program is designed to engage alumni volunteers of all backgrounds and experience levels. You will be paired for the full academic year (October to June) with the mentee(s) you have accepted. We encourage mentors and mentees to connect on a regular basis (i.e. once a month phone call, in-person meeting, or email conversation). However, the frequency and form of communication are things you both can determine.

Throughout the year, the we will offer tips on effective mentorship techniques, topics to discuss with your student, and suggested activities to connect. Our team will also be standing by to answer any questions you might have. Prior mentorship experience is not required.

How Long Is The Commitment?

The commitment as a mentor lasts for the academic year (October – June). Alumni register to be a mentor in September, and then students review profiles and request a mentor in mid-October. Once you review your request(s) and confirm a student mentee(s), you will officially be a part of the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program.

Alumni are welcome to continue mentoring their students as long as they are willing and able.

Do I Have To Be In Los Angeles To Participate As A Mentor?

You do not have to live in Los Angeles to participate. You can mentor by connecting with your student via phone calls, email, Zoom, or FaceTime and still be a great alumni mentor. We will provide virtual events and discussions for you and your mentee to participate in.