I firmly believe that mentorship and guidance play a crucial role in our lives. As humans, we often face challenging situations that leave us feeling lost and unsure of our next steps. This is where mentorship becomes invaluable. Mentors have navigated similar experiences and emerged successfully, making their advice and guidance incredibly beneficial. Learning from their experiences can save us time, effort, and unnecessary struggles. My own journey is a testament to the power of mentorship. As an international student, I encountered a unique set of challenges—culture shock, an unfamiliar education system, and an entirely new way of life. The overwhelming nature of these changes made my first days at UGA some of the most difficult I had ever faced. Amid this turmoil, I received an email from the UGA Mentor Program, inviting students to connect with a mentor. Feeling lost and uncertain, I decided to give it a try. Looking back, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was paired with a wonderful mentor who understood my struggles and provided constant guidance and encouragement. Her belief in my potential helped me regain my confidence, adapt to my new environment, and embrace the changes in my life. Over time, I overcame my challenges, and life became much more manageable. Today, I can say with certainty that I am in a much better place. As a student, you may be facing uncertainties—whether it's choosing the right major, finding internships, or searching for job opportunities. Know that there are people ready to support and guide you in the right direction. All you must do is reach out, and they will be more than willing to help. December can be a chaotic month. As students, it’s a time filled with stress as we’re faced with final exams and projects to wrap up the semester while also dealing with the added pressure of the year coming to an end. It feels like the to-do list keeps expanding, and it’s easy for all of that to get overwhelming. Despite how overwhelming this time of year can be, I’ve found that this month is a great time to reflect and lean into mentorship as a resource to find clarity and support. Recently, I was speaking to my mentor and like many others, I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed from my classes. I was worried about my finals, worried about studying for the LSAT, and comparing my perceived lack of success to the success of my peers. I had gotten caught in a spiral of wondering if I was doing enough—if I was moving fast enough towards my goals or if I was slowly falling behind. In moments like these, it can be difficult to pull yourself out of that mindset. This is where mentorship becomes important. After sharing my concerns with my mentor, I initially expected her to give me tips on how to manage my time better, or things I could be doing to work towards my goals more efficiently. Instead, my mentor offered me a shift in perspective. She made me realize that I was so busy comparing my journey to everyone else’s, that it had driven me to undermine myself. I was getting so caught up in thinking about all the things I thought I could be doing to advance towards my goals and wrap up the semester, that I was forgetting to enjoy the moment and be proud of all the things that I had accomplished so far. My mentor served as the perfect reminder that even if my path didn’t look like everyone else’s, it was still my own. It’s a simple reminder, but one every student should hear. Our mentors have likely been through the exact same stresses that we’re going through. They’ve gone through finals season, dealt with uncertainty about the future, and felt the pressure of self-doubt. But even though it’s important, mentorship isn’t just about getting academic and career advice. It's about having someone who’s gone through what you’re going through, and that shared experience is what makes mentorship such a powerful tool. If finals season and the end of the semester feels overwhelming, I would encourage you to reach out to your mentor and lean into their experiences. If you don’t already have a mentor, now is the perfect time to look into finding one. Remember to take a step back and reflect on what you’ve accomplished so far. Embrace where you are right now! Don’t just focus on what you have left to do or what your peers have done that you haven’t, be proud of what you’ve accomplished! Finding out about the UGA Mentor Program and the opportunities available to me once I bought into the process has shaped the course of my undergraduate experience at The University of Georgia for the better. As a sophomore with mere concepts of an idea for what my future could look like and with uncertainty about how to progress my post-graduate plans, I created an account on the website and browsed through the search filters. I connected with my mentor due to the similarities we shared in my future aspirations and current academic path. What I value the most about the mentorship experience and this program is the authenticity that each connection brings. In my experience, my mentor immediately recognized my personal need for guidance and took it upon herself to fulfill that role. This meant showing me all the highs of her day-to-day career while simultaneously grounding me in the realities of all the difficulties that came with her career as a lawyer as well. My mentor demonstrated vulnerability as she explained her academic regrets of not pursuing a different major during her time in college. She opened my eyes to the possibility of me also switching my major to one in Political Science, something I had always contemplated but never followed through with. Her honest advice encouraged me to not graduate college with any uncertainties about academic routes left untraveled. Mentors are readily available to connect with mentees, and by simply reaching out to one with an initial message, others too are able to discover insights about themselves and their future careers. I am not alone in my extremely positive experience with my mentor. There is a reason why so many students feel inclined to join the UGA Mentor Program, outwardly share their experiences with others, and become Ambassadors as I later chose to. I knew that I wanted to become more involved in any way possible, and it has been an invaluable experience to promote the program to others. In honor of the month of November being a time to express gratitude to our mentors and show thanks to the program that facilitates these connections, I would like to highlight how lucky UGA undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are to have this opportunity at their fingertips. It is rare to find a program that structures mentorship on the terms of the mentee, allowing them so much flexibility and choice in their decision to connect with a guiding figure. The professionals who are a part of the program take time out of their busy schedules in order to help guide students from a place of compassion and pure selflessness. Their willingness to give back and help others who were once in their place is what makes these connections so special. This month I give thanks to the incredible program that has helped guide my undergraduate experience, develop my professional skills, create friendships, and plan for my future. Transferring to a new university can be a challenging experience, especially when you're entering as an upperclassman. That was my reality when I transferred to UGA from Georgia Tech as a junior. The sheer size of UGA was overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure how I would find my place. However, a chance encounter during the first week of classes helped ease my transition and opened doors I never imagined. In August of my junior year, while walking through the Tate Student Center, I came across the UGA Mentor Program booth. That’s where I met Sally Bae, who is now one of my closest friends and fellow Mentor Program Ambassadors. Sally explained the program, highlighting how it helps students connect with alumni in their respective fields. At the time, I was still exploring a career in real estate and knew that building my network would be crucial. We exchanged contact information, and from that moment, Sally became an essential part of my UGA experience. Sally’s guidance went far beyond introducing me to the UGA Mentor Program. Having already been at UGA for over a year, she knew how to navigate the many opportunities available and helped me explore a wide variety of clubs and events on campus. Ambassadors like Sally are invaluable resources for students—especially for transfers—because they’ve experienced the transition themselves and can show others the ropes. Through her, I attended a Terry Diversity Fellow event, which ultimately led me to discover Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional fraternity. With Sally’s encouragement, I went through recruitment, joined the fraternity, and met some of my closest friends. One standout experience she introduced me to was the Women in the Workplace Dinner, hosted by the UGA Mentor Program. The event featured a panel of female UGA alumni sharing their career journeys and offering advice on how to thrive in the professional world. It was both empowering and enlightening, giving me new insight into navigating my own career path. Sally’s support in connecting me to these opportunities is exactly what I strive to do as a Mentor Program Ambassador—to help other transfer students find their place, make connections, and fully immerse themselves in the UGA experience. Another particularly valuable experience was my participation in the "Circle of Success" program, where Charlie Williams served as my mentor. What made this experience unique was that it wasn’t just a one-on-one mentorship—it was a small group of us, all mentees, working with Charlie. He provided valuable insights into the commercial real estate field while fostering a collaborative environment where we could learn from each other. As a transfer student who didn’t know many people, this group setting was especially impactful, offering both professional guidance and the chance to connect with peers in my major. The connections I made and the support I received inspired me to become a UGA Mentor Program Ambassador myself. I wanted to help other transfer students, like myself, find their footing at UGA and make the most of their time here. The UGA Mentor Program offers students a unique opportunity to connect with alumni who are eager to offer career advice and guidance. As an ambassador, I hope to create the same welcoming experience for others that Sally and the program provided for me. Networking is essential, especially as a business major. The UGA Mentor Program allows students to build connections with alumni who have been in our shoes and can offer invaluable advice. I am incredibly grateful for the program’s impact on my UGA experience, and I encourage every student to take advantage of it. If I can help another transfer student feel as welcomed and supported as I did, then I know I’ve made a difference. What a wonderful day at UGA! Yesterday was the final meeting of a four-month mentorship with my mentee, Justice Carswell. Justice is a remarkable student majoring in Housing Management and Policy in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Her goal is to become an entertainment attorney and real estate investor. Our mentor/mentee relationship was amazing, as Justice is an outgoing and vibrant student who has a strong desire to acquire knowledge. Moreover, her positive and contagious personality inspired me throughout our mentorship. Although the formal mentorship is ending, we will continue the mentorship informally. As Justice aptly stated, “You are stuck with me now!” I am honored to support this future Bulldog alumna as she progresses in her academic and professional endeavors. Please consider mentoring students like Justice through the UGA Mentor Program. It will be a rewarding experience that can benefit both the mentor and mentee. #UGAMentorProgram#FACS #GoDawgs I am a 1987 alumnus of UGA - DVM degree - and have been on faculty since 2016 (after being at several other places). I got involved with the UGA Mentor Program because I enjoy helping people and providing the support that they need. Sommer was my first mentee and she is interested in going to veterinary school. After our semester as official mentor-mentee, we have remained in contact and talk periodically about her classes, jobs, research, etc. To me, serving as a mentor is 'paying it forward' by sharing what I have learned over the years and by listening to and working with someone who shares some similar interests. Sommer has been amazing, and I enjoy catching up with her as she progresses towards her goal of veterinary medicine. One of the things we found that we have in common is our love for music - she is a big fan of Pure Prarie League - and it happens that a long time when I was in college I used to perform professionally and actually opened a concert for them. I feel you reach a point in your life where it is important to give back - and being a mentor is a great opportunity to provide that. I plan to keep serving as a mentor and hope that Sommer and I remain friends for a long time. I wanted to know about what career choices I wanted to do in the future and knew that the UGA Mentorship Program and Destination Dawgs would help me with that. I also wanted to talk with someone with the same interests as me. After class, I got to call my mentor and ask him “what was coaching like for him?” along with the things he knew about coaching. I also got to know where he was from and learned about when he went to Georgia. I learned he’s from New Jersey and he played basketball in high school. He coached track one year just to help out and coached his brother in AAU tournaments. I also learned that he is a teacher at the high school that he coaches at. He told me to get into a recreational league and coach them for a while, then move up to high school or middle school basketball. He said to be patient with the players and get to know them. He also said to make sure to care for your players. He taught me about the importance of dealing with people in the industry. For example, if a player’s parents complain about their child’s playing time, you should be calm and honest with them. I realized coaching is not all about the on the court stuff. It is also about being in the schools and dealing with the parents and players. Also, you may need to deal with players who are doing poorly in the classroom. I learned that Sports Management is out there for people like me and that most colleges offer this program. I did not know that this was a program at UGA before I talked to my mentor. Coming here, I did not know that there were so many people who wanted to coach. I think it would be good for people to explore their career interest and meet other people who went to UGA through this program. -Jesse Pearson, UGA Mentee, Destination Dawgs Student As a former out-of-state student and current out-of-state alumni, I was thrilled when I first heard about the mentoring program as it allowed me a way to stay connected to the UGA community, which is hard living in New Jersey. When my match with Jesse came about, I was thrilled to be able to give some advice and hopefully positively impact someone and couldn't wait to connect. Thankfully, the call with Jesse went great. He asked some thoughtful questions about coaching and the process behind getting to the place I am today, and it really got me reflecting on my journey. One of the things that it really emphasized for me was the importance of relationships in the coaching field and it got me thinking about how I can be proactive in building them instead of just waiting for things to come along. Whether it is making sure to connect with former players or coaching friends more often or picking the brains of other coaches I know for new connections that can be made, I should do my part to help the younger generation find ways to get their foot in the door. From there the conversation with Jesse became a great time where we talked back and forth and learned about each other while sharing our love of basketball and how it developed for each of us. The entire process was a wonderful time and I already cannot wait to continue on as a UGA mentor and talk to more and more students and help in any way that I can. -Matt Cianfrone, UGA Mentor I was quickly inspired to participate as a mentee in the UGA Mentor Program because I was interested in learning about different perspectives of successful businesspeople in the same interest of mine. One my favorite highlights when talking to my mentor is that she was showing me an opportunity help me set up an Etsy site. This can help me get started in selling my own items and make money. As me and my mentor were talking one day, she gave me great advice that can help me be successful overall in the business that I want to be in. She advised me to put myself out in the art community, and to share my work. My mentor has enhanced my outlook on the industry that I want to be in by telling me the benefits of being my own boss and telling me about different machines that I can use to me my items. This mentorship helped me better navigate my academic and professional journey at UGA by learning different skills, having fun in the work that I want to do, and learning professional skills such as marketing. I believe that everyone should take part in participating in the UGA mentor program because you get to learn new professional skills, learning advantages and disadvantages early on in your career to not make the same mistakes, and finally it's a fun way to connect people in your area of interest -Brendan Teverino, UGA Mentee, Destination Dawgs Student I had such a great experience at UGA and I miss it dearly, so I wanted to find a way to stay connected with the community at the university from afar. I also remember what a pivotal time it was in my life and it would have been so valuable to have a mentor to speak with during that time. We've had some great conversations over this semester, but I particularly loved getting to see some of my mentee's work and how talented he is. I know he will go on to do big things! It's given me the opportunity to look at it from a more global perspective than I do on a daily basis as well as to evaluate my own place within it. We did a bit of research on the industry related to income and outlook and that was helpful for me to see, too! Even though I feel like I was at UGA yesterday, talking through the journey and speaking with someone currently in their college experience shines a light on how much I've learned and grown since then. It's super rewarding to then be able to share that knowledge and experience with someone starting their journey. The program has kept me in the loop a bit more and helped me feel connected to my alma mater in a way I didn't before. -Sarah Reed, UGA Mentor My mentor’s name is Matt Ashworth, and we connected through the UGA Mentor Program the first semester of my freshman year (Fall 2019). He lived in California so we only had phone calls regularly during the official period of the program. After the official program length was over, we still kept up with each other and he helped me along the journey of securing my internship with JPMorgan Chase and co. during my sophomore year. Once I got the news that my offer letter was from the Los Angeles commercial banking team, I immediately messaged him to let him know that I was coming to California and we made plans to finally meet in person! Unfortunately, I was only in California for the last 2 weeks of my internship because of Covid-19 office restrictions. When I was free during the first weekend, he came to pick me up and show me all of the cool spots around the Beverly Hills (where I was staying), Hollywood, West Hollywood, downtown LA, Venice, Santa Monica, and Long Beach (where he was staying). I was very thankful that he was able to show me around because I wanted to know the good and the bad parts about living in the area since I am considering living there once I graduate in a couple of years. He showed me the fun areas, the Hollywood sign, the walk of fame, and lots of other places most tourists would want to see when coming to California. We ended the evening off in Long Beach where I was able to meet his partner and talk about everything from the possibility of living in California to things going on in our personal lives. Matt has not only been super helpful in my professional growth but also he has helped me with my personal development in life and I cannot thank the UGA Mentor Program enough for connecting me with a great mentor and friend! My experience with the mentorship program at UGA has been beyond wonderful! Anna - my mentee - and I have had the best time possible. Anna is so willing to reach out and go for the things we've discussed and just never stops learning and making connections! It has been more than I could ever imagine. I knew we would have a connection and accomplish goals, but I had no idea just how much fun we would have and how great things would be! Anna already has a position for this summer! Woo....Hoo. Who knew it would be so rewarding and just plain fun! I have made a connection for life, and I just can't wait to see what happens in Anna's future. It will be totally amazing! Thank you UGA for making all of this possible! Go Dawgs! When I signed up to participate in the UGA Mentor Program, I had no idea that less than a month later I would be sitting face-to-face with a research team lead from Bayer, or that the table between us would be at a tiny Mexican restaurant halfway between Athens and Atlanta. The University of Georgia is a fantastic place to be a graduate student; as a second-year PhD student in the microbiology program, I’ve had the opportunity to present at a national symposium, do exciting, collaborative research, and participate in thought-provoking conversations with other researchers. But while graduate school sometimes seems like it will last forever (especially when I’m coming into lab for a 2 a.m. timepoint), I’m just entering the stage where the answer to the question “Where do you see yourself in five years?” isn’t “UGA.” Graduate advisors can be fantastic mentors – I’m lucky that my advisor is not only an intelligent and renowned researcher, but also a thoughtful and dedicated mentor who invests in the success of her students. When it comes to looking at careers post-graduation, however, many advisors can’t speak to the kinds of industry careers that exist for STEM graduates who don’t have dreams of tenured-professorship. When I got an email advertising the UGA Mentor Program, I thought it could be the perfect chance to talk to an alumnus who made it through the grad school gauntlet at UGA and worked their way up in industry. This – and so much more – was exactly what I got from Dr. Jennifer Yates, a Wheat Breeding Lead at Bayer Crop Science. The UGA Mentor Program lets you select from hundreds of potential mentors based on their career, degree from UGA, and school affiliation. In my case, I filtered my results to someone who had earned a PhD in Life Sciences and was doing research at a large company. You can also filter by location, though I didn’t limit my results to Athens or Atlanta because I was happy to “meet” virtually. All that led me to pick Jennifer, although by a stroke of luck we did end up getting to meet (at the aforementioned taco shop) when she flew into Atlanta for a conference the week after we were matched). In the time since, we’ve met virtually for 30 minutes two or three times a month (a choice we made – and yet another area where the Mentor Program is refreshingly hands-off), and I’ve gotten great insight. I’ve asked her questions about everything from how she entered the job market and hunted for internships to what her days look like now as she balances her duties as a research team lead. More than just answering questions interview-style, though, Jennifer’s supported me in and out of the lab. When I spent a harrowing week buried in reading and preparing for my oral exams for candidacy last month, she spent most of our skype call listening to my fears and offering encouragement and perspective. The fact she had been through what I had at UGA and could relate to my specific experiences made her advice and insight even more valuable to me. The biggest surprise to me was how willing she was to act as an advocate and “linker” – as a crop scientist, she couldn’t always talk about the work someone like me (studying microbiology) would be doing in industry. Instead, she connected me with another research team leader, working in California. I was able to chat not only with him but with his team of post-docs, who talked about their experiences as (very) recent graduates. By the end of the 10-or-so weeks, I felt like I had such a breadth and depth of knowledge that I couldn’t have gotten any other way (and a whole lot of new LinkedIn connections!). For all these reasons and more, I couldn’t recommend the UGA Mentor Program more highly to graduate students looking at getting a deeper understanding of careers in their field. I know I’m grateful to have gotten to be a part of the process. My name is Elizabeth Carter, and I am a Double Dawg studying International Affairs and Policy. My interests include resource deficiencies, human-centered design, and partnerships for development. I have had the privilege of mentorship by Dr. Hiram Larew (BS Horticulture '75) and Jessica Faber (AB Journalism '02) in the past year. Both Dawgs have experience at the US Agency for International Development- within offices I would love to work upon graduation. With his extensive experience and vast network, Dr. Larew introduced me to colleagues across DC working in his sector, which allowed me to conduct many informational interviews and identify additional potential career opportunities. He also introduced me to and coached me through the "Individual Development Plan", which has been critical in crafting my professional trajectory and improvements in my personal life. Jessica and I have engaged in technical conversations about the partnership development process, the value of law school, and life as a Foreign Service Officer. Thanks to her well-traveled career, she also gave me the most amazing restaurant recommendation when I was in Bangkok in February. UGA has provided me with opportunities beyond my wildest dreams. The UGA Mentor Program, the thoughtfulness and accessibility of its design, and the individuals within its platform have been pivotal in my prospects once I leave Athens. I am grateful and could not recommend it more highly. When I heard about the UGA Mentor Program, I knew without a doubt what a wonderful opportunity it was and that I should apply immediately. Various organizations at UGA have shown me what it’s like to be a student mentor or mentee, but the UGA Mentor Program offered me a chance to connect with an alumnus on a personal level. I was able to choose a mentor that would share my major, interests, or experience at UGA. Also, I wanted to have a mentor who would support my goals and help me develop them. I was scared that I would have a mentor who didn’t care, but I was quickly put at ease. My mentor, Allison, genuinely supported my ambitions and talked me through my goals. Also, I’ve seen and heard how the alumni who participate in the UGA Mentor Program want to see students succeed. The biggest surprise was the flexibility of the UGA Mentor Program. It wasn’t time-consuming. It didn’t interfere with my class schedule, work, or any other obligations. I got to establish how frequently I wanted to communicate with my mentor, and we communicated monthly via email, telephone, and in-person. Don’t hesitate to apply, students! It really is a great program, because there’s a mentor and commitment that’s right for everybody. Having a mentor is a great chance to look at someone else’s journey from UGA to where they are now — especially if it aligns with your interests. Mentors are a valuable source of information, and you get out of the mentoring relationship what you put into it. You never know what good will come from the relationship. Everyone should take the time to look at the website, the FAQs, and contact the UGA Mentor Program team if they are unsure of anything. My UGA mentor has given me tremendous insight on my future career. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to shadow her this semester. This experience has been so rewarding, as I am still unsure of what medical field I would like to enter. I am thankful for the UGA Mentor Program and very appreciative for my mentor and all the advice she has given me! From the beginning, my relationship with my mentor was strong! I was matched with a mentor who graduated from the same high school as me, had the same major as me in undergrad, and participated in one of the same organizations I was in. There was no awkward start to the mentorship; we both felt comfortable. This led to honest and candid conversations about careers, the world outside of college, and the professional world. My mentor helped me make the daunting decision to change my major as I was able to see the type of work he did with a similar major and find that the career path was not right for me. After changing my major, he helped me with the transition as far as classes, looking for opportunities, and more. It has definitely been amazing having someone in my corner to help me through the uncertainties and keep me motivated! I truly enjoyed the experience and the impact it has made on my first year in college. I value the life long connection I have made with my mentor. I decided to change my major from Biology to Wildlife Science two weeks before my junior year began. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew I couldn’t stay where I was. Entering a field this late in my schooling with no knowledge of where it could lead me was daunting, to say the least. I joined the UGA Mentor Program because I needed to find someone that would show me what opportunities were available in my field, but what I got was so much more than that. Since joining the program, I have had the privilege of connecting with two mentors. They have both helped me find a passion that makes me excited to go to class in the morning, which is something I never had before. Even beyond that, they have opened up more networking opportunities for me, helped me through difficult career decisions, and given me life advice that goes beyond my future career. They have encouraged me throughout this transition and given me the confidence I needed to find my place in this profession, and I have built relationships that I know will last years beyond the extent of this program. I would recommend the UGA Mentor Program to anyone who feels a little lost like I did. You will be surprised by the difference a UGA mentor can make in your life. My mentor experience has been one of my favorite things I’ve gotten to do while in college. Developing a relationship with Tori has not only been very personally rewarding, but I am learning so much about Student Affairs from a professional currently working in that field! We’ve gotten to discuss my majors and minors, involvement on campus, grad school plans, and my career aspirations at large. I am so thankful for Tori for all her support, encouragement, and advice, and for the UGA Mentor Program because I might not have ever come into contact with her otherwise! Even though our 16-week mentorship is technically over, Tori and I love to meet in Tate to get lunch or grab a coffee :-). As a first-generation college student and the daughter of a Colombian immigrant, making the transformation to college was difficult. Though I had a strong support group of family and friends, moving to a new city and embarking on a rigorous college career, with no prior insight, was a bit nerve-wracking. Through the UGA Mentor Program, I was able to connect with an incredible mentor who has worked tirelessly with me and helped me along every step of the way. While working full time in the financial sector and studying for the CFA exam, my mentor still found time to offer advice on the internship recruiting process, tips on how to best navigate LinkedIn, and even connecting me with his colleagues in the industry. All of this and more has helped shape me into a more confident professional. I can't thank my mentor and UGA enough for making this experience possible. My mentor has continually advocated for me in both my personal and professional life. She has referred me for internships, encouraged me in my career path, and been open with me about every aspect of the "real world"! I had the pleasure of working with Afokeoghene "GG" Egberi. "GG" is an amazing young woman and academic scholar. I met "GG" at a Dozen Dawgs Dinner in 2018. I was excited to know that she was going to be my mentee. Miss Egberi is an amazing student body member and will join the UGA Ronald E. McNair Scholars this summer. I am extremely proud of her. She is a "hidden figure" no more. As with any request from my alma mater to accept a volunteer assignment, I said 'yes' to becoming a part of the UGA Mentor Program. It has been a rewarding time for me and I trust for my mentee, Ashley Soriano, a senior in the Grady College. I have shared some examples from my career - a few successes and a lot of mistakes - that I hope will be helpful to her. In return, she has taught me just how well-prepared, bright and focused are our students. Ashley and I are both first-generation college attendees in our family and appreciate the opportunity our university has given us. I think I can speak for Ashley when I say the UGA Mentor Program has been a great learning experience for us both. I had the honor of connecting in a mentoring relationship with Taylor Maggiore. She is a remarkable young woman! We communicated several times via email and text and had one lengthy phone call, although the best connection occurred when we met for lunch in Athens. Taylor and I talked a good bit about her work on campus, her career goals, and her summer internship options. I'm not sure I was a huge help to her, but I'm hopeful that the experience and insight I shared with her from my years in TV news and video content production were encouraging. She's going to do and be something quite significant! I have no idea where I would be if it hasn't been for my past mentor. My mentor taught me more about myself and my academic career than anybody else in my life. It has been wonderful having somebody in my corner that I did not know before college. Having this person to support me and be there for me has been life changing. I give all of my thanks to my past mentors. You should join the program:) Starting college, I had an idea of what I wanted to pursue for a career but I didn't know all of the steps to get there. I am Pre-Med but I don't have any immediate family that went into my field of interest and it was tough to start on my own. I think my decision to find a mentor came from the hopes that it can guide me and provide some valuable advice, but I think that I got a lot more than that. My latest mentor held me accountable, wished me luck on exams, and was there to provide that last bit of encouragement to go after opportunities I searched for. I realized the value of mentorship in my life from this experience, and I want to continue to look for mentors that can fill in the gaps in my experiences and knowledge. I joined the Mentor Program as a first semester freshman. As an oldest sibling, I was the first to go to college, and I had no idea what I was doing. I wanted to speak with someone who had been in my shoes before and could give me some advice to navigate such a large campus. My mentor has been so helpful in my college experience. Beginning of my sophomore year, I was lost on what I needed to do. I was an accounting major wondering whether it would be a career path I would enjoy or one that I would regret picking. I was introduced to the program by my friend Kelly who shared her experiences with me. I joined and picked a mentor that had a similar career path to what I wanted at the time. After meeting and talking to my mentor, I was immediately relieved. My mentor was personable and had a very similar college career of what I was aiming for. We talked every month for around an hour, and he was a nice outlet to talk to. He was someone that wasn't fully involved in my life but still invested in my success. There were moments of panic where I would call him, and he would help rein me back in. Even after our mentorship ended, we still keep in touch with a call every couple of months to chat. It inspired me to continue on with the program and helped me become a Mentor Program Ambassador. You get out of this program what you put into it. I created connections, gained friends, and honestly became a better person. Hope everyone else in the program can gain a new perspective and become a more realized individual. I've mentored several students through this program. All the students have been outstanding and have been a joy to work with. Plus, their interest in my career has helped reinforce the reasons I chose my career and heightened my enjoyment. It is very satisfying to hear the gratitude in their messages, and to hear about their achievements in school and as they start careers. This is something that I hope to continue doing as long as UGA has this program. When I arrived at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, I decided that the Biological Sciences degree was the best option for my future aspiration of becoming a pediatrician due to the supportive family environment and diverse course electives. Because my parents went to different colleges, it was a drastic transition from rural Euharlee to Athens, Georgia, and I am grateful for the mentorship of my advisors, professors, mentors, and colleagues when navigating campus resources. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, I facilitated “next step conversations” with Dr. Lesley Clack, Merritt McGowan, Whitney Jackson, and Jessie Moore, and through a variety of mediums, I discussed medical school applications, graduate school options, and internship opportunities for summer 2021. The UGA Mentor Program allowed me to meet four incredibly talented and prepared women that inspired me to confidently pursue the next opportunity, and I am grateful for their unending support toward becoming a pediatrician in rural medicine. My most recent mentorship was with Jessie Moore, and Jessie and I connected in the UGA Mentor Program, because I noticed she worked at UGA Extension, which was something I was familiar with as I grew up in Bartow County 4-H. Through our conversations of camp counselor memories and HelloFresh boxes, I realized my heart for serving underserved communities and started to explore more into the UGA Extension internship. Throughout summer 2021, I developed TikTok videos with a correlating cookbook for Bartow County SNAP participants to use to cook nutritious, family meals throughout the Cartersville Farmers Market season. I absolutely love working with all four of my mentees since the pilot program back in 2019. Two of my mentees have graduated, which is absolutely amazing. My first mentee, Nia Freeman, is currently a teacher in the Teach for America program in New Jersey and has been doing extraordinary work with her students. Nia gave a testimonial about our mentorship and continuing mentorship after graduation. Please see the article here . Jazmine Grant, my second mentee is currently at UGA and she has been doing amazing with her studies. She wants to be a Marriage and Family Therapist like me! Sol Moreno, my third mentee, graduated in 2020 and is super awesome! She is currently working in a full-time, paid position in her research lab at UGA. She is currently discovering which graduate school programs she would like to pursue, which includes Psy D programs. My fourth mentee, Jordan Brown, is currently in her sophomore year, studying Psychology, with a minor in Spanish and Human Services. She has been crushing her classes, even during a pandemic! She is truly amazing and I've enjoyed mentoring her. It was important that she did not feel alone during these uncertain times, so I prioritize checking in often to assist her with navigating school, life, etc. I have an open door policy with all of my mentees and the mentorship does not end when they graduate from the program. They all truly inspire me and I look forward to assisting them in becoming successful mental health professionals! I have a special relationship with the UGA Mentor Program and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this amazing program!" Rebecca, my mentee, connected with me at the beginning of Spring semester in 2022. During our first face-to-face meeting, Rebecca informed me of her goals and plans for graduate school and her future career. She wanted to be a college instructor just like I was and to do that, she wanted to know the steps I had taken and what I would recommend she do based on my experiences. During the next few months, we worked extensively on graduate school expectations, goals, costs, applications, and more. We also worked together to talk about balancing schedules, adjusting from school life to a 9-5 job, the expectations of graduate school, and more. At the end of the mentorship, Rebecca expressed how thankful she was to have had a mentor like me in her life. She told me the advice I'd given her had stuck with her during harder moments and that she was ready to face Graduate school and her future career thanks to our meetings. Though she as a mentee got so much out of our mentorship, I also want to note that being a mentor taught me so much, as well. I learned more about myself and what I love to do: help students achieve their personal and professional goals, even if they are not in my classroom or enrolled at my college. It was so rewarding to see Rebecca succeed after graduating from undergrad, and I know she will go on to do fantastic things. Even though our formal mentorship has ended, we will still be keeping in touch with one another. I'm so thankful that the UGA Mentor Program allowed for us to meet and have this great experience/connection. This mentorship experience has created such a great connection that we would not have been able to have otherwise, and I hope that all current students (and alumni) who may be on the fence about this program go ahead and take part in it. It is worth it, and you both will gain so much out of this experience. In our initial meeting, I had the pleasure of guiding Brinkley Vaughn, an aspiring Biomedical Engineering student, as part of my role as a Ph.D. student and mentor at UGA. Together, we delved into her interests within the biomedical engineering field, crafted a monthly meeting schedule, and strategized potential research avenues. Our exploration led us through several distinguished Biomedical Engineering labs at UGA, including those of Dr. Hitesh Handa & Dr. Elizabeth Brisbois, Dr. Ramaraja Pandian Ramasamy, Dr. Luke Mortenson, and my own lab under Dr. Cheryl Gomillion. Through these visits, Brinkley gained invaluable insights into the diverse research opportunities available to her within our university. Moreover, beyond traditional classroom teachings, Brinkley took significant strides in her professional development. She established a polished email signature and initiated her presence in professional networks such as LinkedIn, demonstrating her proactive approach to cultivating her career within the field. Looking ahead, Brinkley harbors ambitions of securing a research position, potentially through programs like CURO or REU during the upcoming summer or fall terms. Armed with newfound knowledge and equipped with essential professional tools, she is well-prepared to navigate the competitive landscape of biomedical research opportunities at UGA and beyond. Although our formal mentorship has concluded, I assured Brinkley that my support remains steadfast. She can always reach out to me for guidance or insights on academic and research pursuits. It was truly gratifying to mentor such a promising individual, and I have every confidence that Brinkley will continue to shine brightly as she progresses through her undergraduate journey.Testimonials
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Mentoring for a Lifetime
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I'm 2 for 2 with UGA Mentor Program!
Support for Your Goals and Ambitions!
Tremendous Insight!
Someone In Your Corner
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Support, Encouragement, and Advice from a Professional!
Don't Miss Out - Connect with a Mentor TODAY!
My Advocate
STEM Sisters
A Learning Experience
Meaningful, fun experience!
WOW!!!!!!! :)
Why I Became a Mentee
Testimonial
You Get Out What You Put Into It
Very enjoyable way to connect with students and give back
Grateful for My Mentorships
LOVE the UGA Mentor Program!
From 4-Month Mentorship to Lifelong Friendship
Empowering Future Biomedical Engineers: Mentorship Journey with Brinkley Vaughn at UGA
