Team

bethany.blumenshine@uga.edu

dloyd909@uga.edu

camryn.chiu@uga.edu

amber.jones2@uga.edu

kytem@uga.edu

Audrey Dwyer is a fourth-year MIS and Finance major from Atlanta, Georgia. When asked how her mentorship has helped her grow, Audrey said, “It has allowed me to learn about other career opportunities that I was unaware of. I’ve learned to ask for feedback, become comfortable sharing my goals, and have gained someone I can always reach out to for advice.”

Pranjal is a senior double majoring in Psychology and Biology. She grew up in Surat, India. Pranjal serves as the Director of our Professional Development and Internal Relations Committee. She loves the UGA Mentor Program because it has something for everyone, regardless of their background. Her mentorships have helped her to look at things from different perspectives and to focus on ways she can develop herself and her skills as a person. Her advice to students considering joining the program is to do it! “Joining this program is so worth it!”

As a graduate student from Cumming, Georgia, Pravalika Irukulla, is studying Biological Engineering and starting her second year as a UGA Mentor Program Ambassador. Pravalika wants her fellow students to know that “We end up with a lot of questions during our college journey and need someone to talk to who has been through this journey already. The UGA Mentor Program creates that platform for us to talk to people who have walked in our shoes and can help us find answers to our questions.”

Meet Aria Morrill, a 4th-year student from Atlanta, Georgia, studying Food Science. This is Aria’s second year serving as a UGA Mentor Program Ambassador and her second semester as the Director of the Campus Partners and Community Engagement Committee. When helping fellow students consider the UGA Mentor Program, Aria said, “Either way, you'll be learning something new yourself and help you better position yourself for a successful career in whatever field you choose, even if it's not the one you think you want to be in right now.”

Annie Patel is a fourth-year Cellular Biology major and a Spanish minor from Lilburn, Georgia. Annie says, “Joining the UGA Mentor Program is a great way to learn more about any of the careers you're interested in and those you don't know much about. All the mentors in this program care about your success and want to help you grow and achieve your goals.” Her favorite thing about the UGA Mentor Program is that “you are given the opportunity to network with so many mentors, and there are many resources and tools on the site to help ensure that you have great mentorship experiences.”

Micayla Moffitt is a third-year Animal Health major on Pre-Veterinary track, from Acworth Georgia. When asked what her advice to students incoming to or unsure about the UGA Mentor Program would be, Micayla said, “Talk to someone who has been exactly where you are right now, listen to what they have to say and apply it to your life right now. This is the best way to voice your doubts and frustrations!”

Nikita is a fourth-year, biology major from Lawrenceville, GA. What she likes most about the UGA Mentor Program is that she received reliable advice about her future from someone who has achieved what she is working towards. Nikita believes that a mentor is one of the greatest things to have to further your future—it’s someone who can advise you and support your goals.

Ben Kemp is a graduate student studying RMIN and Applied Consumer Analytics, and is from Loganville, Georgia. When asked what his favorite thing about the UGA Mentor Program is, Ben says, “I love the program’s flexibility. You can have a mentor and learn anything you wish to from them. After a few months, you can continue to maintain that relationship you established or you can pick the next mentor and learn something completely new.”

Khris Head is a fourth-year Psychology major from Augusta, Georgia. Khris says, “My favorite thing about the UGA Mentor Program is how it supports students and provides them with valuable tools for the future.” Khris also shared that his prior mentorship helped him to figure out what career path he wants to take and the steps necessary to get there. To students unsure about joining the UGA Mentor Program, Khris says, “The UGA Mentor Program can easily adapt to their schedule. They shouldn't worry about an excessive time commitment.”

Fourth-year Animal Science major Ashley Gatto is from Savannah, Georgia. The advice that Ashley would offer to fellow UGA students is, “Join! Every mentor I have had is eager to share their knowledge and experiences with you. They want to get to know you and help you in any way possible. It may seem daunting to reach out, but they are all great alumni!”

From Lincolnton, GA, Rachel Jordan is a sophomore studying Public Relations. Her mentor through the program has offered her advice and knowledge to help her better prepare to be a Grady student. One piece of advice she would like to share with someone considering joining the UGA Mentor Program is that “all of these possible mentors will be connections to help you expand your network. Each one of the mentors you may have will share their experiences, and you may find that you are interested in what they do for their career.”

Kennady Boyd, a fourth-year Biotechnology major is from Stone Mountain, Georgia. When asked about how her current mentorship helped her grow, she said, “It has helped me problem solve and slowly improve my public speaking skills.” Kennady’s favorite thing about the Mentor Program is having someone in her corner who is in the field she wants to be in.

Anushka Jariwala, from Suwanee, GA, is a third-year student studying Advertising. Her mentor helped her realize that she should take things one step at a time and that building her career and achieving her goals is a process. Anushka says, “if you're unsure or confused about where to go next in your academic/professional life, a mentor will provide essential insight. If you're confident, you'll gain a source of support that you can talk to about what you're passionate about.

Paige Searles is a 3rd-year student from Anchorage, Alaska, double majoring in Advertising and Business Management. Paige serves as the Director of our Social Media and Strategic Marketing Committee. When asked about her mentor, Paige said, “My mentor helped me gain clarity on my future path, gave me resources to expand my network, and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams fully.” She also shared, “Having a mentor in your corner will allow you to grow and achieve your goals exponentially faster than you had planned. Mentors are truly a part of the cheat code for success, and the time you invest into the relationship will come back to you ten-fold.” I

Jasmine DeLong, a fourth-year Spanish major, is from Augusta, Georgia. Jasmine’s past mentorships have helped her grow by learning how to let go of comparison and feeling comfortable in her major as well as career choices. She also said that “talking with someone who has been in the same place as her and having a mentor guide has been a great help.” Jasmine’s favorite thing about the UGA Mentor Program is getting to see UGA alumni excited to speak with current students, and she enjoys the range of students and majors that participate in the program.

Sahar Joshi is a junior from Suwanee, Georgia, double majoring in International Affairs & Religion. When talking about her mentor, Sahar shared, “My mentor helped me learn that I don't need to change who I am to be "good enough" or impress anybody in a professional environment. This process has helped me grow in confidence, realize that I am just as much of a competitive candidate as anyone else, and compare myself less to others.”

Zairah Khan is a senior Finance major from Marietta, Georgia. Zairah’s advice to students joining the UGA Mentor Program is “to not be afraid when making the first move. The worst that anyone can say to you is "no." If that happens, you just move on. Nothing scary about it, and there are endless opportunities once you get that "yes."” Zairah also says that the UGA Mentor Program helped her navigate through college and go from leaving a major she felt stuck into finding something that she is truly excited about.

Moira LaFuente is a second-year student from La Paz, Bolivia who is pursuing a major in Biology and a minor in Public Health. When asked what her favorite thing about the UGA Mentor Program, Moira said that “it is the easiness and variety that the program offers, in which you can connect with different professionals to learn about their career paths. Talking to them can give you a different insight into the work market.”

Second-year Health Promotions major Elise Lodde is from Roswell, Georgia. Elise got started with the UGA Mentor Program during her first year of school and started building her personal “Board of Directors” early! When asked about the UGA Mentor Program, Elise said, “you should just go for it!! Your mentors have more advice than you would think and can help orient you.”

Zach Martin is a 3rd-year student from Kennesaw, Georgia. Zach is studying Accounting and Risk Management & Insurance. Through Zach’s mentorships, he learned how branching out to other subject areas can help students develop personally and professionally. Zach advises students to “take the first step, recognize that you have a lot to learn and a lot to teach, and reach out to someone who has been where you’ve been.”

Elizabeth Williamson, from Dunwoody, Georgia, is a 4th-year student studying Finance. Elizabeth loves the UGA Mentor Program because it has exposed her to such a large network of UGA Alumni. When talking about the UGA Mentor Program, Elizabeth said, “There is nothing to lose from this connection with a UGA alum, only something to gain.”

Jhenna Daugherty is from Blue Ridge, Georgia, and is a fourth-year student studying Biology. When asked what her favorite part of the UGA Mentor Program is, Jhenna said, “My favorite thing about the program is the people. Everyone I have met, who is a part of this program, has been so kind. The people of the UMP are so full of compassion and enthusiasm, and I love it. Jhenna also says that “hesitancy in joining is completely normal and is due to beginning to step outside your comfort zone...that feeling is natural and leaning into it and taking that step will allow you to grow outside your comfort zone.”