Paterno Fellow
Major: Psychology, Advertising
Minor: International Studies
Hometown: Newtown, PA

How did you learn about this opportunity?

I learned about the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program from being on the Liberal Arts listserv. I was struggling to settle on a career goal at the time, and so I figured that any guidance would be helpful.

Tell us a little bit about your experience.

I cannot say enough about how positive my experience in the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program has been. Even though my mentor's career does not align with my aspirations very well, she is an invaluable resource for me. Whether it is registering for classes or preparing for an interview, my mentor willingly takes time out of her day to put research into my questions so that she can provide the best advice possible.

How did this experience impact you academically?

My mentor's encouragement and kind words have definitely impacted my confidence in myself as a student. She repeatedly restates how impressive my accomplishments, involvements and academic efforts are. This type of encouragement has contributed to my confidence in myself as a student, which in turn has improved my stress levels and increased my motivation.

What are your career goals and plans?  How did this experience impact them?

Although my career goals and plans have been transformative (to say the least) over the past few months, with my mentor's help I have finally settled on the path of studying consumer psychology. As I explored many career options over the last few months, my mentor was always willing to put research into the new field of interest, and in several cases even reached out to fellow alumni who work in these fields to request that they answer whatever additional questions I may have.

I would most definitely recommend this experience to all other Liberal Arts students, no matter their major or year of study.

Would you recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students?

I would most definitely recommend this experience to all other Liberal Arts students, no matter their major or year of study. Relationships with mentors created through this program will likely reach beyond college graduation, so senior year is certainly not too late to start. Having a professional committed to your success is an invaluable tool.