Marquette University Alumni Association Mentor Newsletter January 2016 Survey says: Share your MUAA Mentor Program experiences by Feb. 1 Thanks to many participants who have already shared their feedback in the MUAA Mentor Program mid-point survey. To better serve you and track program progress, please complete the brief and anonymous online survey by Monday, Feb. 1. In appreciation for providing your insights, all survey respondents can qualify for a chance to win a Marquette gift package by emailing daniel.deweerdt@marquette.edu indicating SURVEY COMPLETE in the subject line. From Connecticut to Milwaukee and Racine to Chicago, mentees hit the road to meet, shadow mentors More than 15 mentees took advantage of Christmas break to gain firsthand experience by meeting and shadowing their mentors, ranging from optometrists and national journalists to advertising professionals and engineers. David Nowak, H Sci ’19, spent a day with mentor Dr. Laura Rosanova-Phillip, H Sci ’98, at her optometry practice in Palatine, Ill. “The experience was very interesting and I learned a great deal,” he says. “I think this will help our mentee/mentor relationship since I now have a better idea of what she does and how she uses what she learned at Marquette.” Lisa Roman, Comm ’17, also recognized the benefits of shadowing her mentor. Earlier this month she spent a full day with Jen Lada, Comm ’02, at ESPN in Bristol, Conn. “It was an incredible experience to learn from Jen and get advice from many of her co-workers,” Lisa says. Along with touring the ESPN studio and shadowing Jen the entire day, Lisa experienced the thrill of a lifetime when she met U.S. women’s soccer superstar Abby Wambach. Learn more about Lisa’s job shadow experience with Jen in her blog post. Save the date: April 21 program finale Join fellow mentors and mentees on Thursday, April 21, to celebrate the conclusion of the 2015-16 MUAA Mentor Program. The event will take place on campus from 5:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. in the Eisenberg Reading Room in Sensenbrenner Hall. Save the date and look for additional details soon. For more information, contact daniel.deweerdt@marquette.edu. Five Questions (and more) With... Len Kasper, Comm '93 (Zac Bellman, Comm '16, mentee) 1. Why are you serving in the MUAA Mentor Program?  I have had a lot of help along the way in my career and one of the most important mentors of mine was public relations professor Bill Baxter, who was my freshman advisor at Marquette in 1989. He helped me tremendously and I never forgot it. If I can impart a little “wisdom” to some people looking to make a career in journalism/broadcasting, I’d be foolish to pass up that opportunity.  2. What suggestions do you have for mentees? My #1 thing is to take advantage of your opportunities outside the classroom. College is hard and there are social things students want to enjoy too. But at the end of your 4-5 years at Marquette, do you want to put yourself ahead of all the other people applying for jobs? If so, you have to go the extra mile and get real-world experience.  3. Two things you think a Marquette student should do before they graduate. Get a job or internship that takes you off-campus. And spend a summer traveling, something I didn’t get to do because of my various jobs/commitments. You’re young, see the world! Read his full interview. Thought starters: More than 50 questions and suggestions for mentees and mentors   Feeling like your mentor or mentee topic discussions can use a boost to go along with your goal objectives? Visit the MUAA Mentor Toolbox, offering more than 50 questions and topic ideas to help fuel your conversation, online articles and other resources. Networking social brings mentors and mentees together More than 50 mentors and mentees participated in the first MUAA Mentor Program networking social prior to the Jan. 16 Marquette Men’s Basketball game. Held at Buck Bradley’s, the event provided an opportunity for mentees and mentors to meet each other and network in a casual setting. According to mentee Anna Miller, Arts ’15, the event was beneficial. “I had the chance to meet other mentors and mentees and it was very interesting to see the career paths the different mentors I met had chosen,” she says.   Please direct program questions or comments to MUAA Mentor Program Director Dan DeWeerdt at daniel.deweerdt@marquette.edu or (414) 288-4740.