Mentor Program?

There are a ton of “clubs” and professional organizations out there—Society for Military History, Society for History in the Federal Government, Organization of American Historians, American Historical Association, etc. There does not seem to be something along the lines of working historians mentoring students of history (undergrads and recent undergrad graduates). I was thinking of creating something to that effect in conjunction with my alma mater, but their program has suffered so much loss that it's nearly non-existent.

When our interns come each summer, it rejuvenates me. This occurs, I think, because I am interested in the history that I am preserving and my co-workers (those in my office) are interested in preserving their wallets only. That leaves an intellectual void in me. C (name withheld) (intern from the past two summers) has been calling and emailing me off and on since he left to attend grad school—asking for my advice on this and that. That feels REALLY GOOD! I like being asked my opinion and having someone think that I know what I’m talking about (even when I’m not sure I do!haha).

I know a lot of historians, archivists and curators. There are a ton of colleges in this area and a ton of students of history who are like I was in college—unsure of what they wanted to do exactly after college—teach? PhD? And they don’t realize there is so much more to history than just teaching and getting your PhD. What fun would it be for them to be able to have a mentor, someone who could make in-roads for them to see the broader aspects of the historical field? Someone who could help them visit places behind the scenes that they NEVER could on their own?

While I had a significant influence in my undergrad, if I had the opportunity to have a mentor--someone who knew the ropes, knew other avenues of history, would read my papers and give critiques and just be an influential person in my education (much like professors are SUPPOSED to be), I may have been been further along in my career than I am currently. DO NOT get me wrong, I am in a good place--it was really bumpy and so uncertain for a long time getting here. It doesn't have to be, is my point.

I wonder if anyone would be interested.