Volunteer opportunities for alumni and friends
Every year, approximately 500 volunteers
—alumni, parents, and friends—contribute hundreds of hours of time in
a variety of programs.
If you want to get involved, please consider volunteering
for one of these programs:
Share your professional experience with an IT student to assist
him or her with the transition from school to career. Time commitment:
2 hours per month, October-April.
The Legislative Network is a coalition of alumni, parents, and friends who
actively support the University and its budget request to the
state legislature. Time commitment: 1-3 hours during legislative
session to write/call your legislator or host local constituent
meetings.
Discuss your career or employer with students, either as a member
of a panel or in one-on-one informational interviews. Conduct
mock interviews. Time commitment: periodic participation, September-May
Invest your time and talents in the next generation of scientists,
mathematicians, and engineers. Coach teams of 4th-12th grade students
for the science competition FIRST Lego League. Design exhibits for the hands-on
science museum, The Works. Time commitment: varies.
Math teachers at Roosevelt High School (RHS) in Minneapolis need the assistance
of volunteer tutors to assist them in the ninth grade algebra I classes. These
classes are large (more than 30 students each) and include some students with
low skills who need to pass the Minnesota Basic Skills Test. Equally important
is that success in ninth grade can set a positive tone for the rest of the
student’s high school math career. Intervention at this stage in a student’s
high school path has the greatest potential for positive results. Volunteers
may be college students, retirees, or persons who are currently employed.
Volunteers should have a working knowledge of algebra I, a desire to help
young people succeed, and an open communication style. Time commitment: one
hour per week for one academic quarter (nine weeks).
Advisory boards
Plan the activities of the IT Alumni Society. Serve as a liaison
between your company/industry and a department. Facilitate research
collaborations and internships. Time commitment: varies. FFI: itas@umn.edu.
Speak to parents of incoming students during orientation week.
Sit on a panel of “IT experts” for a dinner and panel
discussion. Lend your name to parent fund drive. Time commitment:
periodic participation, June-February
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