MENTOR OPPORTUNITIES

There are many different ways to be a LIFEMentor, including Research course credit through Creative Inquiry, paid positions and volunteer positions.

CREATIVE INQUIRY:

Sign up for ED 397, section 010 under Sharon Sanders for the Mentoring CI class. Sign up for ED 397, section 011 for the Nutrition/Healthy Lifestyle CI section. You will receive 1 hour of credit and will work with the ClemsonLIFE staff on analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your ClemsonLIFE client and assisting in setting goals and monitoring progress in developing employment and independent living skills. conference travel to present results and the program will be covered, along with a trip to USC to visit the CarolinaLIFE program and share ideas. Students in all majors are encouraged to sign up. Participation in a hands-on research class of this nature would be an impresive addition to a resume for any major.

PAID POSITIONS

JOB COACHES: Job Coaches will work with the students on their job placements, which will be on-campus for the first two semesters. These personnel will be trained in conducting ecological surveys (analyzing the job situation and comparing it with the strengths/weaknesses of the students) and in performing observations at the job site. This is an hourly position.

RESIDENT SUPERVISOR: The RS's will be provided rent and utilities for supervising the students in the morning as they go to classes and in the evenings when they return. These personnel will collect data on Independent Living progress through observations and checklists and will be responsible for certain pre-planned evening activities and must be very motivated.

CLASS SUPERVISORS: The ClemsonLIFE students will take one or two regular Clemson classes, such as Freshman Orientation and Leisure Skills Classes. These supervisors will attend class with the ClemsonLIFE students at first to make sure they are comfortable and understand what is going on. This is an hourly position.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

ACADEMIC (Tutor): Academic activities include helping students with their course assignments, assisting with assignment organization or time management, utilizing computerlab time to access the Internet for information specific to a course project, or other aspects of academic life the students may struggle with.

ACTIVITY BUDDY: There are many options available to the Clemson LIFE™ Buddy on campus such as concerts or plays at the Brooks Center, various sporting events, or different interest groups available that would be meaningful to the Clemson LIFE™ students. The objective is to help facilitate the Clemson LIFE™ students’ understanding and participation in regular campus activities.

On- or off-campus clubs and organizations are another great way to get Clemson LIFE™ students involved with campus life, student government, and community projects. Many of these students already play musical instruments and have other skills and abilities they can share. This is a great opportunity for relationships to begin, and for social skills to be modeled and learned. Students may have particular interests or may not seem to have a preference; LIFEmentors can become valuable role models of how to explore options and discover activities that interest students and keep them engaged. This is a valuable life lesson.

LUNCH or DINNER BUDDY: ClemsonLIFE students will have meal plans and will eat lunch and dinner on campus. Clemson students, individually or in a small group, are encouraged to adopt a meal on a particular day of the week to serve as LUNCH or DINNER BUDDIES for one or both of these meals. Eating with peers is always a welcomed activity and prompts relationships to occur spontaneously. This is a good chance for the ClemsonLIFE students to be part of a “real college experience.”

WORKOUT BUDDY: It is always a fun option to have a workout partner. Clemson LIFE™ students have a scheduled workout time each day and need workout buddies to help them with their personal workout goals. Many have participated in athletics and may play tennis, swim, or ride bikes.