Marquette Mentors Newsletter January 2020 In celebration of National Mentor Month, the Marquette University Alumni Association salutes all mentors, mentees and campus partners for their leadership and participation in Marquette Mentors. During winter break, approximately 15 mentors provided their mentees with the opportunity to gain professional experience by shadowing them in their workplace. Far and wide, mentees traveled to New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston and more to shadow their mentors in a variety of industries, ranging from engineering and television broadcasting to psychology and professional sports. Thanks to generous mentor donations in support of Marquette Mentors, many mentee applicants were beneficiaries of the program’s travel stipend to cover their transportation expenses and make the job shadow opportunity possible. Communication mentee M’Laya Sago traveled from Chicago to New York to meet mentor Chris Pardon, Comm ’92 and senior director of Warner Media, at the offices of CNN. “I learned how the intricate parts of TV ad production are created and displayed, including the logistics behind it. This helped me understand the different approaches to TV advertising, the variety of roles to potentially pursue in this field,” she says. “I also had the chance to expand my network and after my visit to see Chris, I’m even considering pursuing job opportunities in New York after graduation. This experience was exciting and definitely added a spark to my ambition!” Learn about one mentee's job shadow visit to Atlanta. See a slideshow of recent mentor and mentee job shadow visits (click the play/monitor icon in the upper right-hand corner of the link). Consider these conversation topics to enhance the mentor-mentee partnership For mentees: - Did you know there are 13 weeks remaining in your formal participation with your mentor? If it hasn’t been covered lately, review the goals document with your mentor. How are you progressing? What’s been completed, what’s on track and what’s missing? Is it necessary to make an adjustment or two? - For your next conversation, add an agenda item to discuss how the partnership is progressing. What's gone well? What can be better? Be transparent to ensure a positive experience in the coming months. - Spring break is March 7-15. Can you shadow your mentor or someone your mentor knows residing in your area? The program’s travel stipend initiative can cover your transportation costs to see them, too. - Has your mentor reviewed your resume? - What are two professional development opportunities your mentor suggests you consider prior to the end of the semester? This could include a mock interview, contacting another program mentor, reviewing a resume or improving your LinkedIn profile. - Review the 2019-20 Marquette Mentors online mentor and mentee directories to expand your network and learn from other mentors in your potential field of interest. For mentors: - How are you and your mentee progressing toward the goals you initially set? Review the document with them to celebrate accomplishments, stay on track and make any adjustments, if necessary. - Ask how your mentee if they're finding the partnership to be valuable. What's gone well? What can be better? Be transparent to ensure a positive experience in the coming months. - Spring break is March 7-15. Can your mentee shadow you if they haven't done so (or return for another visit)? - What is your mentee doing now in preparation for summer or post-graduation to support their career objectives? - Many Marquette students are involved in service projects. What suggestions can you offer in terms of how you view volunteering as a professional? What are the positives? Any drawbacks?  Find additional questions and resources through the Marquette Mentors online toolbox. Travel stipend applications still being accepted for mentees to shadow mentors Participants are encouraged to discuss job shadowing with their mentors and applying for the program's travel stipend to cover transportation expenses for this opportunity. The stipend is designed for mentees to have their air, train fare or mileage expenses covered to shadow their mentor. Spring break is March 7-15 and can provide an opportune time to schedule a job shadow. Participants are encouraged to maximize this stipend opportunity, which made possible thanks to the generosity of program mentors. “I feel very fortunate to have traveled to Los Angeles during break and shadow my mentor, Dan Lafferty, the deputy director of Los Angeles County Public Works,” Joe says. “Knowing how lucky I am to have received the travel stipend opportunity, I did my best to absorb all I could during the job shadowing.” Applications are accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and travel must be completed by April 23. Apply now. Participants interested in making a gift to Marquette Mentors can contact Dan DeWeerdt for more information. Special alumni networking event, "Inclusive Career Conversations" among upcoming career events The Marquette Class of 1985 cordially invites mentors, mentees and all students and alumni to join them at the Alumni Memorial Union Annex on Friday, Jan. 31, for a complimentary evening of casual networking. This special alumni class of friends and professionals- including mentor Emilio Arechaederra, Bus Ad ’85- gather unlike any other group when they return annually to campus from around the globe to reconnect, reminisce and Ring Out Ahoya at a Marquette basketball game. RSVP by Wednesday, Jan. 29, and learn more. In addition, mentees are invited to attend Inclusive Career Conversations on Thursday, Feb. 6, at The Commons Residence Hall. The event is co-hosted by the Marquette Career Services Center, Business Career Center and the Women’s Innovation Network. Students can learn more through Handshake Preview. Save the date for these upcoming programs Mentee Best Practices Workshops, Zilber 025 Noon - 12:45 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18 Noon - 12:45 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 20 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20 A complimentary light meal will be served. Mentor Best Practices Workshop Teleconference 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. CT, Tuesday, March 3 Phone number and agenda to be sent under separate cover Marquette Mentors finale celebration Join fellow mentors, mentees, faculty, staff and mentee alumni the evening of Thursday, April 23 at the 707 Hub, the home of the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship, a program campus partner. Don't miss this annual favorite to celebrate the participation and successes of all program participants and mentee alumni. Look for details soon. Mentee expert shares tips for students to enhance relationships, participation Kathryn McCarthy has a wealth of experience as a communication mentee. As a two-time participant (Chris Devine, Comm '94, Cisco Systems in Southfield, Mich., and Pat Eichten, Bus Ad '82, Eichten Marketing Solutions in Milwaukee) and Marquette Mentors intern since 2018, she's communicated with and learned from more than 300 program mentees and mentors. She offers fellow mentees these tips to maximize their mentor partnership - Stay proactive. We're all human with different schedules that include work, family, school and extracurricular activities. However, remember what you get out of your mentor relationship and the program is what you put into it. Therefore, make sure you’re clear about your availability and your mentor will do the same. So much wasted time goes into the game of “telephone tag” that you could have completed other priorities instead of the back and forth. Stay organized, engaged and energized- and your mentor will follow. - Reach out to other mentors Marquette University. That's all it takes. This very university brings us together and is the best tool to utilize in the networking world. Although we've been formally matched with one mentor in the program, make use of the Marquette Mentors mentee alumni and mentors online directories (which were emailed to you previously) to expand your professional contacts. Mentors are there to help- that's why they're in the program- so never think you have to restrict yourself to just one individual. - A connection is a connection. Never take your mentor for granted. If your career path doesn’t align with every detail you are considering on the job front, you're eliminating access to some very valuable knowledge from them. I've been fortunate to learn from many Marquette mentors and they all have valuable insights for anybody willing to listen. Therefore, ask questions, stay engaged and never underestimate the inspiration your mentor and others in the program can bestow on you, even if it’s from a personal rather than professional perspective. Mission Week is Feb. 3-9 An extensive series of programs is scheduled Feb. 3-9 for 2020 Mission Week. This year's theme is “Open to Gratitude” and all are invited to attend this year's events. Learn more. Networking and career panel provides special opportunity to meet mentors and alumni Marquette mentors, other alumni and students gathered Jan. 9 at Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago for “Navigating the Road to a Rewarding Career: Preparing for Life After Marquette.” Hosted by Maura Farrell, Arts ’92 and managing partner at Kivvit, the event delved into the challenges of networking across industries with advice ranging from getting your foot in the door to handling difficult workplace scenarios and knowing when to pursue new opportunities. The panel featured alumni from a variety of disciplines and career paths. Along with Farrell, Marilynn Gardner, Jour ’88 of Navy Pier, George Jonas Eng ’93 from BP PLC and Liam Lawrence, Arts, ’94 of Reilly Partners, spoke on the panel. Dr. Kimo Ah Yun, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, Marquette University, also attended the event and provided opening remarks. Where Are They Now? Did you know more than 600 Marquette students have served as mentees, thanks to the outstanding leadership of nearly 200 Marquette alumni mentors? Where Are They Now? highlights Marquette alumni who served as mentees in Marquette Mentors. This month's mentee alumni is Claire Nowak Arts ’16, who was mentored in 2015-16 by Maura Farrell, Arts ’92. Claire also serves as a member of the new Marquette Mentors Mentee Alumni Leadership Committee. Career path following graduation: I moved to NYC shortly after graduation to work for Reader’s Digest. In the three years I was there, I wrote and edited content for RD.com and Reader’s Digest magazine and managed e-newsletter production. What's your current position today? I am a digital specialist for Froedtert Health, handling social media, web content, email marketing and digital advertising for the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin integrated health network in southeastern Wisconsin. You've known Maura for nearly five years since you served as her mentee. What's one key takeaway? While I was a student and even now as a young professional, I’ve talked to her about what my “next step” should be, whether that’s applying for a new job or wanting to take on more responsibility in a current role. She's taught me the importance of discernment in a professional setting, figuring out what you want most or what you’re being called to do, and how to market my skills to whatever that “next step” happens to be. Is there one piece of advice mentors should consider when working with mentees? Put yourself in their shoes. What advice do you wish you had been given when you were your mentee’s age? Sometimes, mentees can be willing to learn but unsure of what questions to ask. Professionally speaking, what's one thing all students should do before they graduate? Get as much “real world” experience as you can. Apply for internships or shadow your mentor or another alum who works in the field you’d like to pursue. Marquette offers great classes, but (I’d argue) the most valuable lessons are taught when you’re working outside the classroom. Please share three words of advice for mentees related to their professional journey? Never stop learning. What's one thing you miss most about Marquette? Everything! But if I had to narrow it down, I’d say being part of the Marquette Liturgical Choir. The friends I made there were (and are) like family, and getting to sing and pray and laugh with them every week is something I just can’t replicate. Cherish your Marquette experience, mentees! In the News Tamara Johnson, Arts ’14 and Law ’17, has been named a Litigation Associate at Sinel & Olesen, PLLC in New York City. (Kate Rodriguez Quezada, communication mentee.) . . Mike Eichten, Eng ’92, has been promoted to vice president, Central Region Transportation, at AECOM in Chicago. (Mackenzie Allen, engineering mentee.) . . Gretchen Geiser, engineering mentee, will be serving as the Manufacturing and Operations intern for Boston Scientific in Arden Hills, Minn. this summer. (Mentor Gretchen Borden, Eng ’03 and Grad ’07, Harley-Davidson; Wauwatosa, Wis.) . . James Ritter, health sciences mentee, will be serving as the staff consultant for Capgemini in Chicago this summer. (Mentor Laura Kasimatis, Bus Ad ’10, Google [X]; San Francisco.) . . Share your latest news such as a new job, promotion, award or service project with program participants In the News. Send a one-sentence description with a headshot (no selfies, please) to Dan DeWeerdt.