Do you need a mentor?

A guiding hand to help you navigate the confusing world of internships, resume drafting and job interviews can make all the difference when you're in college or fresh out of school.

Students with mentors have an experienced voice of reason to consult during difficult decisions. But where do you find a mentor and how do you make that connection? Mentors can be older students or graduates who are further along in their careers or they can be seasoned professionals who take you under their wing during an internship. Favorite college professors often serve as mentors to students with whom they feel a personal connection.

A website, though, can help you make that connection, ensuring a mentorship with someone who can really benefit your future. Studentmentor.org was founded by Ashkon Jafari and Stephanie Bravo after they both had positive, enriching mentor experiences of their own.

The site lets students directly connect with professionals in a number of fields. More than 1600 people have connected with each other, as reported in April of 2011.The best part? It's free.

“As a first-generation college student, with dreams of becoming a doctor, I had no one to turn to for advice and felt lost. Through a mentorship program, I met an amazing medical student who guided me through the multi-faceted, confusing pre-medical pathway," said Bravo. “The concept of StudentMentor.org was based on my personal experience of needing a mentor, and realizing there was a universal need for all students that was not being met in the marketplace. I believe StudentMentor.org can meet this need and help students achieve their goals.”

The co-founders of the site have been recognized by the Obama administration for their efforts to help students reach college completion.

According to a Department of Education study students who met with advisors regularly during their freshmen year had 170 percent greater chance of completing their bachelor’s degree than those that did not.

Cassandra Garrison

New York