Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Sept. 20, 2004

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The University of North Carolina at Wilmington Communication Studies Society student organization will host its third annual Project Protégé Kickoff Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24 at Sticky Fingers restaurant on Market Street.

Project Protégé, a mentoring program that pairs UNCW students with local professionals, is designed to give students an opportunity to learn about careers in communication-related fields. This year’s program includes over 50 participants, representing a variety of fields, ranging from public relations to broadcast journalism.

“Project Protégé gives students an opportunity to step out of the classroom and into a career by learning how professionals use their communication skills on the job,” according to Alison Baringer, Project Protégé student coordinator. “Many students have an idea of what they want to do after they graduate, but they’re unsure of what the career entails. Having a mentor give you insight about what working in a particular career is like helps students determine whether that field is really what they want to pursue.”

The program allows mentors and students to foster a relationship at their own pace and schedule. Each pair decides when and how often to meet. Mentoring activities include job shadowing, resume critiques, career advice, and meeting for lunch.

The luncheon gives professionals and students an opportunity to meet for the first time, and is co-sponsored by the UNCW Department of Communication Studies.