Marquette University Alumni Association Mentor Newsletter March 2016 Register now for the April 21 program finale In recognition of your participation in the 2015-16 Marquette University Alumni Association Mentor Program, join fellow mentors, mentees, past participants and faculty at the Thursday, April 21, finale and networking reception. The event takes place from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. in Sensenbrenner Hall's Eisenberg Reading Room. New this year, many previous mentees and mentors will also be in attendance to share their experiences and insights. Join more than 50 individuals already planning to attend, including many mentors traveling to campus from outside the state. The registration deadline is April 15, so please make your reservation today.   From New Orleans to campus, mentor and mentee meet for first time Lansen Barrow, Bus Ad ’74, has returned to Milwaukee many times to join his friends for a Marquette men’s basketball game. However, his visit in February for National Marquette Day was particularly special when he met his mentee, Aliya Manjee, Arts ’17, for the first time. Lansen is chief counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy Strategic Petroleum Reserve Project Management Office in the New Orleans area. Prior to last month's meeting, working toward Aliya’s goals had taken place via phone and email communication. “Working with Lansen has been a truly enlightening experience,” Aliya says. “His insight, which I initially described as ‘future shattering,’ has been a source of clarity for my post-graduation goals. We have a solid, honest relationship which I believe will last even after my time at Marquette.”  Lansen, serving for the first time in the MUAA Mentor Program, noted the relationship has been mutually beneficial. “It's been rewarding to work with Aliya and enabled me to share experiences and knowledge with a young lady who is both bright and receptive to guidance and coaching,” he says. Formal conclusion of mentor program should not be the end of working together Although the official completion of this year's mentor program may be April 21, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the end of learning from each other. After all, this is just the beginning for student mentees preparing for life after Marquette. Consider these discussion topics before the end of the semester: - Revisit the goals document you developed together. Have the items been completed? Did they change? Plan to complete them and consider creating new goals for the future. - To that end, mentees, what goals would you like to accomplish in the next year? Whether it's exploring internship opportunities, refining interview skills or considering grad school, mentors can still be a valuable resource and will continue to be interested in helping you. - Are you open to continuing the mentoring relationship, even on an informal basis with periodic check-ins? If so, discuss frequency and preferred communication (phone, email, in person, Skype). - New job, a career change, new direction with your major or a question where you could use some help are items to consider. - Will you be near each other during summer, such as being home from school or traveling in the area where your mentor/mentee resides? Discuss meeting for coffee, lunch or the possibility of a job shadow (and email us a photo, please). - Mentors, when is your mentee's birthday? What's a priority for them this summer (new job, internship, preparing for graduate school)? Plan to send them a birthday card or make a note to reach out and see how they're doing. The change in seasons (spring/summer, summer/fall) is also a natural reminder to check in and touch base.    - Student mentees can continue to stay connected in the MUAA Mentor Program by attending future events and providing valuable advice to future mentee participants. As an example, nearly 10 previous student mentees will be attending the finale on April 21. Follow their lead by helping other students in the program. - Utilize the 2015-16 MUAA Mentor Directory to expand your professional network and learn from others in the program. Contact Dan DeWeerdt for the directory. - Visit the MUAA Mentor Toolbox, including 50 questions and topic ideas to help fuel your conversation. Additional alumni mentor experience expands mentee's network Sarah Nisivaco, H Sci ’16, is finding alumni support in the MUAA Mentor Program is the gift that keeps on giving. She credits mentor Dr. Rob Panther, Arts ’86, with providing many excellent opportunities to learn and grow, including several job shadow visits. “There have been many valuable experiences thanks to Dr. Panther,” she says. "I’ve learned so much through his knowledge and wisdom as a mentor and a Marquette graduate. In addition, I'm so appreciative that he's writing a medical school letter of recommendation for me.” Sarah has also taken advantage of contacting other alumni mentors who made themselves available through the program directory provided earlier in the year. Two weeks ago, she shadowed Dr. Jennifer Connelly, Eng ’99, an associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. “What I found most valuable from Dr. Connelly was seeing how she carried her Marquette education into her practice,” she says. “It was amazing to see how patient and compassionate she was with her patients and I believe much of that stemmed from the ideals and values Marquette teaches its students.” Contact Dan DeWeerdt for an electronic 2015-16 MUAA Mentor Program directory to expand your network with other alumni participants.   Five Questions With... Bill Krueger, Eng '87 (Corbin Dewey, Eng '18, mentee) 1. You’ve mentored students at Northwestern and Vanderbilt and now here at Marquette, where you received your undergraduate degree. Why are you serving in the MUAA Mentor Program? I want to give back to the university and the students who mean the most to me. 2. What suggestions do you have for mentees? Be assertive and seek out your own opportunities. 3. What’s your favorite Marquette memory? Attending Saturday evening Mass at Gesu before Marquette basketball home games at the Mecca. 4. How do you manage work/life balance? Faith, family and then work. 5. Something you wish you would’ve done at Marquette differently to help prepare for your career? Nothing.  My co-op experience at General Motors was the perfect preparation for my career. Bill Krueger is the Americas chairman of the JATCO transmission company in Franklin, Tenn. Mentee Hackmon credits mentor for attaining primary program goal Congratulations to mentee Jacqueline Hackmon, Arts '16, and mentor John Shusterich, Arts '11, for completing a primary goal they outlined at the program's outset. Jacqueline was recently accepted into Wake Forest University’s graduate school management program. She recognized John's support for playing a major role with her post-graduation plans. “That was our big goal and I couldn't have done it without his help,” she says.  The MUAA Mentor Program newsletter is published monthly. Please direct questions or comments to MUAA Mentor Program Director Dan DeWeerdt at daniel.deweerdt@marquette.edu or (414) 288-4740.