Posted January 2023
As January draws to a close, so too does National Mentoring Month. To wrap up this impactful month of teaching, growing, and connecting, we’ve created a master post containing everything you need to know about mentorship as a BU alum. Whether you’re a year out of college, or twenty years out of college, there is an opportunity to either gain knowledge or share your wisdom within BU’s vast alumni network.
Finding a mentor
If you’re looking for a mentor, but you’re not sure who to ask or where to start, career coach Dr. Rose Opengart (CAS’90) breaks it all down. Asking for help can be nerve-racking, but most professionals are more than willing to be the guide they wish they had earlier in their careers. Dr. Opengart defines what a mentor is, what you should know about yourself before finding one, and who you should choose.
Becoming a mentor
This step-by-step guide takes you through the process of determining whether or not mentorship is right for you, activating your BU Connects profile, and connecting with your future mentee. After all, helping someone else is one of the most gratifying feelings there is. For all the hard work you’ve put into building your career, you deserve the experience of being a valuable resource in somebody else’s life.
While the concept of being a mentor to someone may seem daunting, it really boils down to sharing what’s worked, what hasn’t worked, and what you wish you’d learned sooner with someone who’s just starting out. In this webinar, alums Denise Schier (ENG’81) and Isioma Utomi (ENG’07) teach you how you can leverage your personal and professional experiences to help others.
Get inspired
Engineering the perfect mentorship: David Mannion (ENG’91) matched with Noah Robitshek (ENG’25) on BU Connects, and the pair found mutual success through mentorship. For Noah, he deems the opportunity to learn from someone with decades of experience in the field invaluable. For David, the experience has been extremely rewarding, and he finds it particularly satisfying to be able to give back to BU.
COM alums come together: The advent of a new mentoring program launched by COM Career Services helped recent alumna Tia Black (COM’23) connect with TV professional Steve Longo. Since Steve launched his own career through connections he made at BU, he was more than willing to be a mentor to Tia. After their formal mentoring relationship ended, Steve and Tia remained close friends, sharing insights, opportunities, and support.
The story of two journalists: Eager to learn and expand her network, aspiring journalist Alanis “Laney” Broussard (COM’24) signed up for COM’s mentorship program. Laney was paired with Diana Kloorfain (COM’88), who began her career as a journalist before transitioning into production and post-production for unscripted TV shows. After being matched, Diane was determined to help Laney succeed in an industry that is often cutthroat and male-dominated. Though their official mentorship relationship may have ended, Diane still remains as a supportive presence in Laney’s life.
Programmed for success: Despite being a busy software engineer, Ashley Reischman (ENG’17) welcomed the opportunity to be a mentor to a student at her alma mater. Ashley knows the value of having a mentor relationship, since she had mentors early in her career that helped set her up for success. Through the mentorship program, Ashley matched with Jordan Koseski (ENG’24), a career-focused graduate student. Jordan finds it incredibly valuable to get advice from a young professional like Ashley who had been in his position not long ago. For Ashley, it is rewarding to see Jordan reach his full potential.
BU Connects is a platform exclusively for Boston University students, faculty, staff, and alumni that brings Terriers together for personal and professional networking on a global scale.