Becoming a Mentee

The mentorship program has significantly contributed to my academic and professional development. Through the assistance provided by the program, I gained valuable insights into securing internships, which ultimately led to my successful acquisition of an internship position. Additionally, I strategically planned my degree to enhance my competitiveness in the job market.

In addition, I will take the insights from the Matthew Leadership Forum. I was encouraged to apply my skills across various fields and maintain an open mindset while pursuing internships and learning opportunities. Even though I have specific future goals in mind, exploring different possibilities might lead me to discover newfound passions that could contribute to my overall success.

My mentor-mentee relationship has been exceptionally beneficial, successfully pairing me with my mentor, who possesses extensive knowledge in specific areas of concern. She has addressed various restrictions that international students encounter and has assisted me in navigating these challenges.

My advice to future mentees is to stay ambitious even though sometimes we may receive challenges since it always works out in the end, even though it may not seem like it at the moment.

This mentorship program has supported my professional growth by giving me the confidence to network more effectively with people in my field. This was especially helpful when I felt hopeless about my future and what I wanted to do after college. Project VITAL taught me that vulnerability is impactful when seeking opportunities and guided me through my professional development as a student/career-oriented person. 

Matthew’s Leadership Forum was an incredible experience that allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and engage with professionals meaningfully. I truly appreciate Bianca Amaya, the VITAL Program Coordinator, for her dedication to organizing a pre-meeting for all the mentees. This thoughtful initiative guided us to enter the Leadership Forum together, providing a strong sense of support and camaraderie among peers facing similar experiences. Through this opportunity, I connected with fascinating professionals whom I would not have met otherwise. This experience reinforced the importance of embracing discomfort, which signifies personal and professional growth.

Additionally, the experiential trip to Takeda was invaluable in shifting my perspective on career opportunities. I gained insight into how success is not solely determined by a college degree but by how one applies it. While pharmaceutical companies are not directly aligned with my major, I was inspired by Takeda employees with diverse academic backgrounds who have forged successful careers in the industry. This experience gave me hope, highlighting the vast opportunities available across various fields and career paths.
The workshops provided essential knowledge and support, equipping me with the confidence to expand my professional network. I learned how to effectively connect with professionals on LinkedIn, schedule informational interviews with individuals whose careers I admire, and even engage in job shadowing. Since joining the mentorship program, I have been able to grow my network more effectively than ever before.

My mentor-mentee relationship supported me in navigating career opportunities by helping me establish SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals, making me feel better prepared for informational interviews, and providing me with extra resources for internship job openings. I was able to set deadlines for myself with portfolio pieces, and my mentor held me accountable for fulfilling those personal milestones. My mentor was a great sounding board to get my worries off my chest about my career, and having someone in my corner who used to be in the same position is always a relief.

Some advice I would give to future mentees is to embrace the uncomfortable. You never know what doors will open for you unless you open yourself up for failure and the risk of the unknown. I found connections in the most random places (on an airplane, for crying out loud!) and just found comfort in the human nature of relationships that I can develop with people by just being myself. Go on the experiential trip, even if it doesn’t directly relate to your major or seem interesting to you. Knowledge is knowledge, and no experience/opportunity is ever invaluable. Take full advantage!

This program has been instrumental in fostering my academic and professional growth. My mentors have provided invaluable guidance, particularly in improving my time management skills and navigating the graduate program search process. I found the workshops especially beneficial, as they helped build confidence and provided essential knowledge on creating a professional LinkedIn profile and crafting a CLU email signature.

Attending the Matthew Leadership Forum pushed me beyond my comfort zone and allowed me to network with experienced professionals.

I was fortunate to have the support of two incredible mentors, Sarah and Dane, who played a significant role in my personal and professional development. Sarah helped me enhance my time management skills while offering valuable insight into balancing life as a student and single mother. Even though she is no longer a staff member at CLU, we continue to stay in touch, and I know she is someone I can always rely on. Dane provided me with guidance on exploring different career paths and graduate programs. His unwavering support and attentiveness during our meetings made a meaningful impact, and I believe any student on campus can count on him.

For future mentees, my most significant piece of advice is to fully invest yourself in this program. Bianca’s words truly resonate: "Whatever you put in is what you're going to get out." Prioritizing time with your mentors is crucial, as they will undoubtedly do the same for you. I met with my mentors far beyond the required meetings, and even after the program ended, we have continued to stay in contact. While neither of my mentors worked directly in my field of interest, they leveraged their professional networks to connect me with the right individuals.

This program has been an invaluable experience, and I am deeply grateful for the guidance and support I have received.

The Vital mentorship program has been an invaluable experience in my academic and professional growth. As an international transfer student, this program has provided me with guidance, resources, networking opportunities, and a supportive community that has helped me confidently navigate my career path. Through insightful conversations with my mentor and various program activities, I have gained clarity on my professional goals and how to achieve them.

One of the most impactful experiences was visiting Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where I learned from industry professionals about their career journeys and challenges. This experience broadened my perspective on the importance of adaptability and networking in today’s job market. Additionally, attending workshops and events such as Matthew’s Leadership Forum and Career Center sessions has equipped me with practical leadership, communication, and career planning skills that I will carry forward.

Additionally, the most valuable aspect of the program has been my mentor-mentee relationship. It has been incredibly reassuring to have a mentor I could contact and understand the challenges of transitioning into a professional career. His guidance has helped me navigate job opportunities, refine my resume, and build confidence in my abilities. Knowing I have someone to turn to for advice has significantly impacted my career development and my ability to achieve my goals.

To future mentees, my advice is to take full advantage of this program—ask questions, attend events, network, and actively engage with your mentor. The connections and insights you gain here can have a lasting impact on your career journey.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to applying what I have learned as I continue growing in my professional career.