Five Questions With...
Mentor Bob Kelly, Eng '78

(Mike Tattoni, Eng '16, mentee)


Bob Kelly Five Questions With...highlights mentors and mentees in the Marquette University Alumni Association Mentor Pilot Program. This month features Bob Kelly, who is mentoring Mike Tattoni, Eng '16.


1. What was your first job after graduating from Marquette?
My first job was with the City of Waukesha Engineering Dept. As an entry level engineer, I was in charge of a survey crew that laid out new subdivision utility work.

2. Why are you serving as a mentor?
Mentoring enables me to educate a student in things that were learned the hard way. Insights I could have learned through a mentor would have helped advance my career more quickly.

3. How do you manage work/life balance?
I'll use the lunch hour to reply to emails and phone calls. This frees up time to be home with my family for dinner as well as focus on other areas that I find fulfilling, such as volunteering. I encourage young adults to find time to do what they love, including volunteering and extracurricular activities. It’s a great benefit to all involved.

4. What qualities do you look for in the people you hire?
Qualities needed to work for me are honesty, good work ethic, ability to think quickly on their feet, not be a jerk, and solve small problems on their own.

5. What was your favorite place on campus as a student?
It was in the old union at our special booth where friends and I would play cards all the time.

Bob Kelly is a civil engineer for the City of Wauwatosa in Wauwatosa, Wis.

Five Questions With...appears in the monthly mentor newsletter and the online mentor toolbox.

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