Frequently Asked Questions

WestoverConnect unites Westover alumnae who are exploring new careers or honing existing skills with Westover Alumnae who are subject matter experts working in various professions for one-on-one, one-hour videoconference, phone or in-person mentoring and advising sessions.

WestoverConnect provides alumnae looking for career and professional advice, the opportunity to connect with fellow alumnae in a small and trusted online community.

WestoverConnect gives you one-on-one access to experts doing what you're aspiring to do -- advisors who will answer your questions and share their knowledge. Best of all, everyone is a trusted member of the Westover School community.

So, how does it work? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

How do I meet with my Westover Connect advisor?

You have three options — you can choose any one of them for each session:

  1. Phone (land, mobile or voice-only Skype)
  2. Videoconference (Skype, FaceTime (if you and your advisor are both Apple users), Google Hangouts or another video method of your and your advisor's choice)
  3. In-person at your advisor's place of work

How much does it cost?

Unlike other premium career sites, WestoverConnect is a free tool brought to you by the Westover School Alumnae Association Board of Governors.

How do I find the right advisor?

Use the keyword search on the WestoverConnect's home page to describe the type of work you want to explore, and choose from the list of mentors resulting from your search. You can also browse our mentors by career type, job title or any key word. Compare mentors by reading their biographies, watching their videos, scanning their photo galleries and reading client reviews.

How do I know WestoverConnect advisors are reputable experts?

mentors come from a select group of Westover alumnae who are excited to share their career expertise with fellow Westover graduates. WestoverConnect mentors hail from various graduating classes, diverse industries and are located around the country and world.

What do I have to do to schedule my one-hour session with a WestoverConnect mentor?

You just need to follow five easy steps:

  1. Set up a WestoverConnect account.
  2. Send a message to the mentor requesting a one-hour videoconference, phone or in-person session, and provide up to 10 days and timeframes that work for your schedule.
  3. The mentor will suggest three one-hour time slots for your session based on your preferences.
  4. Accept and book one of the suggested time slots.
  5. Connect with your mentor for your phone, in-person or videoconference (via Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or another method of your choice) session. Easy!

What if I'm not tech savvy?

No problem. The easiest option is to choose a phone session, conducted via your home or mobile phone number. You can also have voice-only calls via Skype [Click here to download Skype]. Videoconferences can take place via Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or any other videoconference service - you'll work with your advisor to pick the method that's best for you both. If you are planning a videoconference, you'll need broadband Internet service, a camera on your computer, and software such as Skype.

What are the system requirements?

To have a videoconference with an advisor, you'll need videoconferencing software such as Skype [Click here to download Skype], a webcam, a microphone and speakers. For a voice conference, you can either use Skype with your computer's microphone and speakers, or your personal phone.

For Mac users, we support Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For Microsoft Windows users, we support Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer 9 and Internet Explorer 10. We strongly recommend that you update your web browser to the latest version:

Have other questions we didn't answer here?

Please email us at alumnae@westoverschool.org or call us at 203-577-4539.

WestoverConnect unites Westover alumnae who are exploring new careers or honing existing skills with Westover Alumnae who are subject matter experts working in various professions for one-on-one, one-hour videoconference, phone or in-person mentoring and advising sessions.

WestoverConnect provides alumnae looking for career and professional advice, the opportunity to connect with fellow alumnae in a small and trusted online community.

WestoverConnect gives you one-on-one access to experts doing what you're aspiring to do -- advisors who will answer your questions and share their knowledge. Best of all, everyone is a trusted member of the Westover School community.

So, how does it work? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Why should I become a WestoverConnect advisor?

For lots of reasons, but primarily:

  1. To make a difference in the lives of fellow alumnae
  2. To gain valuable credibility in your field
  3. To become more involved in the Westover School community

What are the criteria to become a WestoverConnect advisor?

You will make a great WestoverConnect advisor if you:

  1. Love what you do and want to share your knowledge with others
  2. Have worked in your field full-time for a minimum of three (3) years. (Please consider becoming a mentor if you are currently retired from your career).
  3. Are able to advise WestoverConnect clients via one-hour phone, videoconference and/or in-person sessions (at your place of work)
  4. Are able to sign-off on WestoverConnect’s Terms and Conditions

How will I share my expertise?

Via:

  1. Phone (or voice-only Skype);
  2. Videoconference (via Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or another video service); and/or
  3. In-person at your place of work (optional)

What do I have to do to schedule my time with a WestoverConnect advisee?

You just need to follow four easy steps:

  1. You will receive an email from a prospective advisee via WestoverConnect requesting a one-hour phone, in-person or videoconference session. She will provide up to 10 dates and timeframes that work for her schedule. (On occasion, advisees request a half- or full-day in-person mentorship session. When they do, they will work directly with WestoverConnect to schedule that with you if you are available and open to half-day or full-day advising. It is not required.).
  2. You will suggest three one-hour time slots for the conference based on the advisee's preferences.
  3. The advisee will accept and book one of the suggested time slots.
  4. Your email address will now be shared with your advisee such that you may set up your one-hour phone, videoconference or in-person session. The contact information you share to conduct that session is up to you – it can be your Skype ID, your FaceTime address or your phone number. Your email address will be shared only with your client, and only after you've acknowledged the session request, and it has been booked.

What if I'm not tech savvy?

No problem. The easiest option is to choose a phone session, conducted via your home or mobile phone number. You can also have voice-only calls via Skype [Click here to download Skype]. Videoconferences can take place via Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or any other videoconference service - you'll work with your advisee to pick the method that's best for you both. If you are planning a videoconference, you'll need broadband Internet service, a camera on your computer, and software such as Skype.

What are the system requirements?

To have a videoconference with an advisee, you'll need videoconferencing software such as Skype [Click here to download Skype], a webcam, a microphone and speakers. For a voice conference, you can either use Skype with your computer's microphone and speakers, or your personal phone.

For Mac users, we support Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For Microsoft Windows users, we support Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer 9 and Internet Explorer 10. We strongly recommend that you update your web browser to the latest version:

Do I need to share my email, phone number or Skype address?

Your email address will be shared with your advisee such that you may set up your phone, videoconference or in-person session. The contact information you share to conduct that session is up to you – it can be your Skype ID, your FaceTime address or your phone number. Your email address will be shared only with your advisee, and only after you've acknowledged the session request, and it has been booked by the advisee.

Will I get to edit my advisor bio?

Absolutely. And it can be updated at any time.

Will my advisees be able to publicly rate my ability to share my knowledge on WestoverConnect?

Absolutely. This provides you fantastic credibility and cachet in your field.

Will I need to sign-off on some Terms and Conditions?

Yes. You need to agree to our Terms and Conditions at the time of your application to become an advisor.

I'm a business owner. What if a prospective advisee wants to start a business in my hometown? Do I have to provide my expertise to anyone who requests?

If you get a request from someone who is local, you might suggest they reach out to someone in another city. People will understand and respect your decision to not mentor someone who may become your direct, local competition.

What if my advisee or I am late for a session?

We use the "personal trainer" model for dealing with tardiness or cancellation. If you are more than 15 minutes late or you cancel within an hour of your session, you need to reschedule with your advisee and make up any additional lost time and then some. We ask that you provide an additional 30 minutes of consultation for being late or canceling at the last minute. If your advisee is more than 15 minutes late or cancels within an hour of your session, they lose that session. You do not need to credit them for your valuable time. There are exceptions to every rule. If an emergency occurs, both parties should be accommodating and use good sense.

Have other questions we didn't answer here?

Please email us at alumnae@westoverschool.org or call us at 203-577-4539.