Professional Mentoring — Helping Students Build Their Future

Vocational Service | Career Development & Mentorship

Sharing professional experience, building confidence, and helping the next generation of leaders achieve their career dreams.

Sometimes, one meaningful connection can help shape a person's future.

Through our Professional Mentoring Program, the Rotary Club of Hilo partners with the Rotaract Club of East Hawaiʻi at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo to connect college students with experienced professionals who can help guide them along their chosen career paths.

By sharing their knowledge, experience, and encouragement, Rotary mentors help students explore career opportunities, develop professional skills, and build the confidence to pursue their goals.

It's a wonderful example of Service Above Self — using what we've learned throughout our careers to help someone else succeed.

Program at a Glance

What We Do: Pair UH Hilo students with experienced professional leaders for one-on-one career mentorship, guidance, and encouragement.

Where: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and the East Hawaiʻi professional community.

When: During the 2026–2027 academic year, with opportunities for ongoing mentorship.

Who Benefits: UH Hilo students preparing to enter the workforce, explore career opportunities, and develop their professional potential.

Our Partners: Rotary Club of Hilo and the Rotaract Club of East Hawaiʻi (UH Hilo).

Program Leadership: Amanda "Mandi" Fong, Director of Vocational Service, Rotary Club of Hilo.

How to Participate: UH Hilo students interested in mentorship should contact their campus Rotaract Club leadership. Professionals interested in serving as mentors may contact the Rotary Club of Hilo.

Current Opportunity: A limited number of student mentorship openings have been announced for the 2026–2027 academic year. Contact Rotaract leadership to confirm availability.

About the Program

Experience Shared. Futures Inspired.

College is an exciting time of discovery and possibility. But choosing a career, preparing to enter the workforce, and understanding how to turn an education into a fulfilling profession can also bring plenty of questions.

What career path is right for me? What skills will I need? How do I prepare for interviews, make professional connections, or find opportunities in my chosen field?

Sometimes the most valuable guidance comes from someone who has already traveled a similar path.

The Professional Mentoring Program brings UH Hilo students together with experienced professional leaders for individual mentorship, offering an opportunity to learn from real-world experience and gain insight into the careers they hope to pursue.

Through conversations, encouragement, and the sharing of professional knowledge, mentors can help students better understand career possibilities, develop confidence, and prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Connecting Education With Real-World Experience

The transition from college to a professional career is an important milestone.

Classroom learning provides essential knowledge, but professional experience offers another kind of education — understanding workplace expectations, navigating career decisions, developing relationships, and discovering what it takes to succeed.

Through this program, students have an opportunity to learn directly from professionals who can share practical insights gained through years of experience.

Mentorship may include conversations about:

• Exploring career interests and professional opportunities.
• Understanding the skills and qualifications needed for a chosen profession.
• Preparing for interviews and entering the workforce.
• Developing communication, leadership, and networking skills.
• Learning about workplace expectations and professional ethics.
• Setting career goals and identifying next steps.

Each mentoring relationship provides an opportunity for students to ask questions, explore ideas, and receive personalized encouragement as they plan their futures.

A Partnership Between Rotary and Rotaract

The Professional Mentoring Program brings together the experience of Rotary members and the energy and aspirations of UH Hilo's Rotaract students.

Rotaract is part of Rotary's worldwide family of service organizations, providing young adults with opportunities to develop leadership skills, build friendships, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

By partnering with the Rotaract Club of East Hawaiʻi, the Rotary Club of Hilo creates another opportunity to connect generations through shared learning and professional development.

The relationship also reflects the purpose of Rotary's Vocational Service Avenue: recognizing the value of every profession and encouraging individuals to use their skills and expertise in service to others.

What Our Volunteers Do

Sharing Professional Experience

Rotary mentors contribute something especially valuable — the knowledge and perspective they've developed through their careers.

Whether working in business, education, healthcare, finance, technology, public service, or another profession, mentors can help students understand career possibilities and the steps needed to pursue them.

Providing One-on-One Guidance

Mentors are paired with students seeking professional guidance in their chosen career fields.

Through individual conversations and ongoing interaction, mentors can listen, answer questions, share experiences, and help students think through career decisions.

Encouraging Professional Growth

Mentors help students recognize their strengths, identify opportunities for growth, and develop the confidence to pursue their professional goals.

Sometimes encouragement from an experienced professional can make a significant difference in how a student sees their own future.

Building Meaningful Connections

Mentoring also creates opportunities for lasting professional relationships.

Students gain access to experience and perspective, while mentors enjoy the satisfaction of helping someone develop their potential.

And often, the learning goes both ways.

Our Community Impact — Service in Action

The Professional Mentoring Program is a new initiative for the 2026–2027 academic year.

As students and mentors begin working together, this section will become a record of the relationships, experiences, and milestones that make the program meaningful.

September 2026 — Launching the Professional Mentoring Program

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo | East Hawaiʻi

The Rotary Club of Hilo and the Rotaract Club of East Hawaiʻi announced their new Professional Mentoring Program, creating opportunities for UH Hilo students to connect individually with experienced professional leaders.

The program brings together students seeking career guidance and professionals willing to share their time, knowledge, and encouragement.

Under the leadership of the club's Vocational Service Committee, directed by Amanda "Mandi" Fong, this initiative represents another way Hilo Rotarians can use their professional experiences to serve the next generation.

2026–2027 — Mentors and Students Working Together

As the program develops, we'll share highlights of mentoring activities, professional learning opportunities, and achievements that demonstrate the value of connecting students with experienced community leaders.

With participants' permission, these stories can help illustrate how mentorship opens doors to new possibilities.

Who Benefits?

UH Hilo Students: Gain personalized professional guidance, practical career insights, encouragement, and opportunities to develop confidence as they prepare for employment and professional life.

Professional Mentors: Experience the satisfaction of sharing knowledge, supporting the next generation, and contributing their expertise to a meaningful community initiative.

Our Local Employers and Businesses: Benefit from efforts to help prepare emerging professionals with the skills, confidence, and understanding needed to enter the workforce.

Our Island Community: Strengthening connections between students and experienced professionals helps support Hawaiʻi Island's future workforce and leadership.

Rotary and Rotaract: Build stronger relationships between generations while demonstrating how Vocational Service can create lasting opportunities for growth and service.

Get Involved — Help Shape a Future

UH Hilo Students — Find Your Mentor

Are you exploring career opportunities, preparing to enter the workforce, or looking for guidance from someone experienced in your chosen profession?

The Professional Mentoring Program offers an opportunity to connect one-on-one with a professional leader who can share practical advice, encouragement, and insight.

A limited number of openings were announced for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Contact the Rotaract Club of East Hawaiʻi at UH Hilo to learn more about participating and confirm current availability.

Professionals — Share Your Experience

Have you ever thought about how much you've learned throughout your career — and how valuable that knowledge could be to someone just starting out?

Becoming a mentor is an opportunity to share your experience, encourage a student, and help prepare the next generation of professionals and community leaders.

You don't need to have all the answers. Sometimes the most important contribution is simply listening, sharing your perspective, and helping someone discover what's possible.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

Contact the Rotary Club of Hilo and ask about opportunities through our Vocational Service Committee.

Program Leadership: Amanda "Mandi" Fong, Director of Vocational Service.

Contact the Rotary Club of Hilo | Learn About Rotary Membership

Rotary Club of Hilo — Vocational Service: Sharing Our Experience, Inspiring Future Leaders.