ABOUT US
Mission - An SMU where future generations are better than the last.
Vision - Fostering a community driven by purpose, through mentoring.
At The Mentoring Circle (TMC), we aim to transform our members into confident and driven individuals, ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in their professional journey. Founded on the values of giving back and professional excellence, our club aspires to build a SMU where each generation uplifts the next, where growth is not just personal but collective.
At the heart of TMC is a belief in the power of mentorship. The mentorship journey will be the start of a long lasting and mutually enriching friendship, where both the mentor and mentee will grow together through a structured programme conducted by the club. The year-long programme, “TMC Continuum,” will consist of a thoughtfully curated series of community, professional, and mentorship-driven events designed to support both mentees and mentors throughout their journey. Mentees and mentors will be given the opportunity to interact with other members from the Circle and as well as our portfolio of more than 700 alumni.
With every Circle formed, our mentoring impact grows as our members forge new bonds, expand their reach and deepen their commitment to a culture of support. Through this collective effort, we hope to shape SMU into a thriving nexus of mentorship. The Mentoring Circle is also proudly supported by the SMU Office of Alumni Relations whose partnerships enable us to continually strengthen and grow our community.
KEY EVENTS
- Odyssey
Odyssey is The Mentoring Circle’s flagship event and SMU’s largest student mentoring forum, designed to spark meaningful connections and empower purposeful journeys. Open to all SMU undergraduates, Odyssey connects students with C-suite leaders, esteemed industry professionals, and a vibrant network of alumni who have walked the path before. Through inspiring conversations, interactive panels, and intimate small-group networking, participants gain insider perspectives, practical career guidance, and hard-won lessons, whether it’s landing a first job, navigating early missteps, or achieving that first breakthrough.
- Professional Workshops & Masterclasses
Throughout the year, speakers and trainers with relevant professional experience are invited to conduct workshops, company visits, and masterclasses for our mentees and mentors. These sessions aim to equip members with practical skills, industry insights, and clarity in their personal and professional journeys. Past workshops include BlackRock CV Workshop, Gallup Strengths Workshop and Google Company Visit. - Circle Initiation
Our welcome party to kickstart the mentorship journey where the circle breaks the ice through fun games, shared laughs, and meaningful conversations that set the tone for the rest of the year. - After Exchange
Intimate, small-group sessions that create a safe space for students, encouraging more open, authentic conversations with industry professionals. This allows for deeper insights and meaningful connections. - Company Visit(s)
Exclusive opportunities for club members to visit leading companies, gain industry insights, and connect with industry professionals
REACH OUT TO US
GALLERY
OUR TRAINING
- Selected Friday Evenings and Saturdays
- Some key dates to note if selected:
• 19 Sep 2025 – Mentee Initiation
• 4 Oct 2025 – Circle Initiation (Mentor-Mentee Pairing begins)
• 24 Oct 2025 (TBC) – CV Workshop
• 31 Oct 2025 (TBC) – Fortifying Futures
• 17 Jan 2026- Circle Union
• 30 Apr 2026 - Circle Closing
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Won Gold at the 2020 Council for the Advancement & Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Awards
TMC led SMU to achieve gold for the Student Advancement and Student-led Engagement Initiatives Category, out of 2,752 entries submitted by 587 member institutions across 28 countries. This recognises TMC for its efforts to drive alumni engagement. - Conceptualised and hosted Odyssey, SMU’s largest mentoring forum
Included distinguished VIP speakers comprising of C-Suite Executives, Partners and Directors from LinkedIn, Bain & Company, Amazon Web Services, Golden Gate Ventures, EY-Parthenon, L’Oreal, Bank of Singapore, Mcdonald’s, SAP and many others.
OUR PEOPLE IN ACTION
"I came in lost, confused, and aimless. But I found support, I found friends, and I found a community. Some describe TMC as a student club or a CCA, but to me, TMC is my community, and I am blessed to have benefitted so much from being a part of the club."
- Ryan Tan, LKCSB Year 2 Mentee
"Being a mentee in TMC has helped me to forge close friendships with like-minded individuals, find my own path and developed me as a person. Through TMC, I am glad to have found a mentor, a friend and a community of encouraging and helpful human beings that I will always be tremendously grateful for."
- Shuxiang Lin, LKCSB Year 2 Mentee
HOW TO JOIN THE CLUB?
Students who wish to join The Mentoring Circle (TMC) go through a thoughtful three-stage selection process: an online application, a collaborative roundtable case study, and a one-on-one interview. This journey helps us get to know you beyond a form, how you think, contribute in a group, and grow in community.
FAQ
Firstly, you will get a myriad of opportunities to meet seniors and peers from various fields and industries, who will guide you throughout your SMU journey so that you can make more informed choices; As a mentee, you will get experienced seniors to guide you, and as a mentor, you will be given the opportunity to help your juniors assimilate into university and give them advice. Secondly, you will be given priority access to our events, to network with industry professionals and hear from alumni about their first hand experiences. Last and most importantly, you will have a family in SMU who will always support you!
Mentor-mentee pairings are assigned based on several factors such as preferred industry, personality, common interests, and personal preference of mentor. Hence, it is alright to be unsure about your preferred industry, we will assign you a mentor who seems to be aligned with your passion!
TMC’s training sessions are typically held on selected Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Mentees take part in key events like Circle Initiation, Circle Union, Odyssey, as well as various workshops and masterclasses. These structured programmes are designed to support their personal and professional growth from the moment they join. They also offer meaningful opportunities to bond with like-minded peers. We strongly encourage mentees to play an active role in planning major events like Odyssey, SMU’s largest networking event. To make the most of their journey with TMC, mentees are expected to stay engaged in the mentor-mentee relationship and maintain at least 80% attendance throughout the circle period.
No, you don’t need to have specific skill sets to join TMC. Everyone is welcomed, as long as you have the passion to learn and give back to the community.
At TMC, we’re looking for mentees who are proactive, committed, and growth-oriented. This means taking the initiative to reach out, engaging meaningfully with mentors, and making the most of opportunities offered. We value independence, mentees who take ownership of their development, set personal goals, and work towards them. At the same time, being receptive is key, by asking for help when needed, being open to feedback, and applying it thoughtfully. Ultimately, we’re looking for individuals who are ready to show up, learn, and grow together with the community.
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