3rd Annual Alumni Mentoring Program Workshop Success for Students and Alumni
Students who participated in the 2012 Alumni Mentoring Program had an opportunity to learn more about their career interests and gain helpful insight from science alumni. Please view the slideshows below for more photos from the workshop.
There was a loud buzz of conversation as the third annual Eberly College of Science Alumni Mentoring dinner got underway as the new student protégés met their alumni mentors for the first time, while a few pairs reunited from previous years. The event, which was held at the Nittany Lion Inn on February 11, boasted 70 participants, making this the best-attended year to date. The program, which now has over 70 pairs of mentors and protégés, has spread through the college to incorporate participants from biology, life science, pre-medicine, biochemistry and molecular biology, forensic science, chemistry, physics, and math. The increase from the initial twelve pairs from one lone department, biology, is a testament to how valuable this program has become to both students and alumni alike.
Doug Cavener, professor and head of biology who has been with the program from its infancy, commenced the evening with a heart-warming talk of why he chose to come to Penn State and the importance of mentoring in his career. Christy Carns, a pre-med senior and one of last year’s student protégés, also gave a short presentation of her experience in the program,“The most important thing I took away from this program was that although your mentor will help you decide what you want to do career-wise, they’re also there to be a friend. Communication with your mentor doesn’t have to be like a job interview; if that’s all you want from this program then your mentor will happily assist you, but they’re here for so much more than that. These mentors are here tonight because they have a passion for their careers and want to instill that same passion in you, and perhaps give you some guidance as to how to get to where you want to be once your time at Penn State is complete.”
The alumni also had positive experiences from their new connections with students. Bob Heil, a Penn State Science alum, said, “The events of the past few months have elicited deep emotions on behalf of all of us loyal Penn Staters. Disappointment and sorrow are just some of the many emotions that have been in all of our minds. On Saturday evening, however, not just my experiences, but observing many other dedicated alumni positively interacting with a group of very intelligent, eager students who are also professional in their conduct, reaffirms what I know to be the true spirit of Penn State and the people in that room are why I am still proud to say "We are Penn State".
You can make an impact on a student's life by becoming a mentor. Mentors serve as guides to students, answering questions, giving advice, and helping them to learn more about their field of interest and about themselves. Visit the Alumni Mentoring Program website or contact Mary Hudson at meh25@psu.edu.