The Canfield BHP Alumni Mentor Network is a program that connects alumni to Canfield BHP sophomores and juniors. It is an opportunity for current students to be mentored by alumni based on similar academic and/or professional interests. Canfield BHP alumni come from a variety of professional fields and many go on to top medical schools, law schools, MBA programs, and other graduate programs. Alumni mentors may provide advice to students on major and career exploration, career and/or graduate school preparation, professional development and balancing school, career and outside interests.
If you’re interested to learn more, read on to explore how both mentors and mentees describe their experiences in the network. Below, mentor Seth Gideon and mentee, Canfield BHP junior Carrie Cruces, describe their experiences from both sides of the network. We also hear from mentor Neo Nanna who paired with his mentee, Canfield BHP junior Jessie Meek. Sign up for the Canfield BHP Alumni Mentoring Network to begin your mentorship today!
MENTOR: Seth Gideon, Canfield BHP/MPA ’18, Investment Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan
What have you gained from being part of the Alumni Mentoring Network?
Being on both sides of the Alumni Mentoring Network, I have been able to see firsthand the impact mentors have on mentees. Whether it’s offering you life advice, putting you in touch with other Canfield BHP alum or giving you tips on how to pass certain classes, the Alumni Mentoring Network is very rewarding. Back at UT, my mentor and I would hop on the phone once a month to chat and update each other on our lives. At that time I was applying to a grad school program and my mentor happened to be in that program. She told me her perspective on the school, offered me advice on the GMAT, helped me with my application and answered every question I threw her way. That’s why the program is so special because we help each other out. Now, being on the other side, my job is to help out my mentee as best as I can and take the things I learned from my mentor and use them with my mentee. It’s also great to stay up-to-date on McCombs/UT.
What topics do you and your student mentee discuss?
We discuss a variety of topics whether its educational, work-related, social or personal. When recruiting kicks off we dive deep into best practices and tips to navigate the recruiting intricacies. When the semester kicks off we discuss the best classes to take, etc.
What advice do you offer current students?
Definitely, take advantage of this program. There are Canfield BHP alum around the country who have been in your exact shoes that can help you succeed. We’ve all made a ton of mistakes and it’s nice to hear someone on the other side of the phone who understands what you’ve been through. And of course, don’t spend too much time in NRG. When you look back at your college memories you rarely remember your late nights studying – go to that football, basketball, volleyball game, etc.
Why should other alumni join the Alumni Mentoring Network?
Just to add on from above, it also helps bridge the gap between fellow Canfield BHPers irrespective of age. We’ve all been through or will go through much of the same classes, recruiting and high-stress situations. Not to mention it also gives students an informal method to be themselves and ask the “dumb” questions.
MENTEE: Carrie Cruces, junior Canfield BHP/MPA
What have you gained from being part of the Alumni Mentoring Network?
I have gained a lot of knowledge and confidence from being matched with an alum who did the same major as I am in but is also doing the same career I want to do. It can be difficult to approach people you don’t know, but talking to current professionals in the industry is the best way to gather honest information about it and determine whether it’s right for you and your skills. I’m much more confident in my career choices as I recruit now, and I wouldn’t know half as much if I hadn’t been matched with an alumni mentor.
What topics do you and your alumni mentor discuss?
My mentor and I discussed both academic and professional topics. He gave me a lot of information about how to structure my course and workload throughout the different phases of college, what classes and professors to take, and which majors would be best for the career I’m interested in. He also gave me a good overview of what my recruiting timeline would look like and advice for each step of the way.
How has your alumni mentor helped you develop professionally?
My alumni mentor gave me good advice for both technical and behavioral interviews, as well as providing me other contacts to reach out to. This not only helped me expand my network, but I was able to learn even more about different areas and companies within my industry of interest.
Why should other students join the Alumni Mentoring Network?
Everyone should join the Alumni Mentoring Network to expand their professional network and learn more about careers they are interested in. It’s the best way to get the most relevant recruiting and career advice because it’s coming from someone who recently recruited and is currently working in your field of interest. The Alumni Mentoring Committee does a great job of matching students to alumni based on both academic and career interests.
MENTOR: Neo Nanna, Canfield BHP/Finance and Psychology ’17, Associate Consultant at The Bridgespan Group
What have you gained from being part of the Alumni Mentoring Network?
When I was a student, the most enriching aspect of the Alumni Network was the perspective I gained from hearing about what was possible after graduation. I knew that I wanted to pursue business-related opportunities for socially-driven enterprises, but was unclear about how to break into the social sector given that is an uncommon route. I was fortunate enough to be paired with an alumna that worked at an international education not-for-profit and charter school network which helped me visualize just how feasible that pathway can be. Hearing her insight about her career led me to make my slow, but intentional move into social impact work. As an alumnus, the Alumni Mentoring Network allows me to impart similar knowledge about my experiences in undergrad and beyond for current students navigating their time at UT.
What topics do you and your student mentee discuss?
For our first meeting, my mentees and I had the opportunity to meet in person where we spent time getting acquainted and familiar with one another. We’ve discussed how to set goals personally and professionally, how to refine interests into different majors and concentrations, and how to map those interests into a potential career path. As we have continued our relationship, I check in to see how they are doing at the start of the semester and where I can plug in, whether that is serving as a sounding board or providing assistance in connecting them to resources to learn more about an opportunity.
What advice do you offer current students?
Two things: First, I would surround yourself with people who intellectually challenge you, push you to be better, and support you wholeheartedly in your personal life. Even after graduation, I have continued to rely on my Canfield BHP peers for advice to test my thinking concerning my professional development and for emotional support; both have proven to be invaluable as I continue to grow. Second, if you have atypical interests that may not align with the stereotypical profile of a business student, continue to follow those passions either in your full-time pursuits or in extracurricular activities. It is important to recognize that your cohorts’ career paths will look drastically different after college ends, and I think those unique qualities, skills, and interests you carry will pay off in the long-run for personal and professional reasons.
Why should other alumni join the Alumni Mentoring Network?
Most individuals I know that have graduated from the Business Honors Program would not be where they are today without the mentorship of their more senior peers, so why not begin to foster those relationships for people who wish to learn from you? As alumni, the Alumni Mentoring Network gives you a chance to actively reflect on your experiences in school and your growth after your time at UT. Those insights can really help guide and shape a students’ professional and personal life, especially since that information is coming from the perspective of someone who has been in their shoes not too long ago.
MENTEE: Jessie Meek, junior Canfield BHP/Marketing and Educational Psychology minor
What have you gained from being part of the Alumni Mentoring Network?
Through the Alumni Mentoring Network, I have gained valuable career advice, clarity in my decision making, and a kind, helpful, and experienced Canfield BHPeer to help me figure out the age-old question of “what I want to be when I grow up.” Having been the student that finds every subject interesting, choosing a major and a career path proved daunting. If it were not for Neo’s ability to piece together my passions, his knowledge of the industry, and his expansive network of Canfield BHPhriends, I would still be thinking about being a tennis coach by day, pop singer by night, and children’s book author on the side!
What topics do you and your alumni mentor discuss?
Neo and I are both very people-oriented and mission-driven. I have had the absolute pleasure to hear and be inspired by the way Neo has positively impacted the world through his work. I am lucky to have a mentor who knows what it means to be impactful and thus can effectively direct me toward the right career where I will be given the ability to do what I love – to serve others.
How has your alumni mentor helped you develop professionally?
When I first met with Neo, I was pursuing a career as an accountant. Neo was the first person who questioned this decision of mine, and I am so glad he did. After fumbling through an answer, it became quite clear that I was following that path for all the wrong reasons and that with my current interests and health situation, being an accountant just wasn’t the right option. After this, I stopped, thought critically, and redirected my ambition toward a profession where I would be able to be more successful and be my best self. In addition, Neo has offered advice on places to recruit, supplied me with a rough career plan, and connected me with people in his network. Neo is always ready to help.
Why should other students join the Alumni Mentoring Network?
Simply put: all Canfield BHP students should join because alumni have so much to offer and we have so much to learn. For those students who are not entirely sure what they want to do (like I was) and even for those that have a path, our mentors KNOW what to do, how to help, and who to talk to – they can help connect you and get you where you will be the most successful! The Alumni Mentoring Network is a depiction of the incredible Canfield BHP culture we experience daily: people who are willing and wanting to help because they too received help when they were in our shoes and they know we will pay it forward.