By Shannon Young
BYUSA and the Alumni Association will re-launch the 'Take a Cougar to Lunch' program online next semester to benefit students by giving them the edge on their careers.
The program was designed to kick off in September at the beginning of the semester, but changes in some administrative positions and difficulties in automating the program have caused set backs.
'Quality is what is important for this program and the Student Alumni Association is making sure the 'Take a Cougar to Lunch' program will be quality and successful,' said France Nielson, BYUSA president.
It''s better that the program is put together well even if it takes a few months longer, he said.
'On behalf of BYUSA, I really encourage students to take this opportunity,' Nielson said.
Troy Simpson, program administrator for the Alumni Association, said this program gives every student on campus the opportunity to eat lunch with a professional while learning about a career they are interested in.
The program has benefited students for four years and this is the first year it is automated online.
The professional and student will both benefit from this opportunity, Simpson said. The professional will benefit by mentoring the student and the student will benefit because he or she will learn about their future career.
Simpson said it is a great networking opportunity for the student. Each student is advised to write 15 to 20 questions for the professional before the lunch to take advantage of the professional''s time and find out what it is like in the profession from day to day.
'The professional could be doing a million other things,' he said. 'We want to make sure it is meaningful for the student and the professional.'
Samuel Glanzer, Student Alumni Association president, said students can ask the professional about their lifestyle, how they enjoy their work and what they do each day.
'It really is a good program,' Glanzer said. 'It is an opportunity for students to meet with local professionals in their field of interest.'
Students can also bring a copy of their resume and have the professional look over it to receive feedback.
Jason Smith, executive director for BYUSA''s public relations, said, 'The unique thing about the program is that it is for any student on campus at BYU. Whether you would like to be a dentist or an engineer, 'Take a Cougar to Lunch' can find a professional who shares your aspirations and interests.'
Though the program is open to all students, more upperclassmen are anticipated to use the program because they are starting to make connections in the employment field, Smith said.
'In a world that is increasingly more competitive, the ''Take a Cougar to Lunch'' program offers them a more competitive edge,' he said. 'They can get knowledge from people in the real world. The program offers students with career knowledge that may not be provided in the classroom.'
Smith said the program is excellent and as he gets closer to making critical career decisions, he is going to use the program himself.