Marquette University Alumni Association Mentor Newsletter December 2016 Join fellow mentors, mentees for networking social prior to Marquette basketball game Ring Out Ahoya! Sport your blue and gold and join mentors, mentees and university staff for the second annual MUAA Mentor Program networking social. The complimentary event takes place from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Buck Bradley’s, 1019 N. Old World Third St., prior to the Marquette men’s basketball game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Attendance to the game is optional. “Last year’s gathering was a great opportunity to expand my professional network with alumni and fellow students in a casual setting- while also showcasing our Marquette pride,” says Cole Blazer, Eng ’18. Sign up for this complimentary event today. Tickets for the basketball game can be purchased here. Mentees, mentors share insights at fall Best Practices workshops While nearly 50 student mentees gathered on campus to share their program experiences to date, mentors nationwide concurrently provided experiences with their students in a nationwide conference call. The Best Practices workshops, which were held prior to Thanksgiving break, gave participants a chance to discuss what’s working well and how their mentor and mentee relationships can be enhanced. Key themes to consider which were discussed at the workshops: - It’s all about the goals. Don’t lose sight of the goals you established. Refer to your goals document regularly to stay on track and make adjustments, if necessary.. - Mentors- utilize your network to help your mentee. It’s not imperative for you to have every answer. Think about your own professional network and who might be able to lend a hand. Referring to fellow alumni in the mentor directory (see below) can help, too. - Mentees- your initiative is imperative (and required) to ensure success. Many mentors and mentees in the program have indicated scheduled meetings have been catalysts to a flourishing partnership. You’re busy, they’re busy. Having planned times with a set agenda and discussing key takeaways (such as completing items with a deadline) concluding a discussion are vital. - It’s a marathon, not a sprint. While you may want to complete your goals immediately, discuss if there are other topics or themes to complement them. For example, if enhancing a resume is a goal, think about adding mock interviews (in-person, phone, Skype) or reviewing a LinkedIn profile to strenghten professional development. - Me and my shadow. Semester break is an excellent time to shadow or meet in person. Discuss this possibility now before schedules get filled and finals begin. Shadowing strengthens relationship for ad exec mentor, aspiring advertising mentee When Delia Marshall, Comm ’00 and vice president/ management supervisor at Eicoff in Chicago, was asked to describe hosting her mentee, Olivia Bohringer, Comm ’17, last month, the executive shared two words: productive, enjoyable. “We had a great time visiting in person to review Olivia's goals and brainstorm the best next steps for each,” Delia says. She’s worked at the 55-year-old ad agency for 11 years. “Olivia did two informational interviews with junior and senior colleagues who work in her area of interest. I'm so impressed by her and thrilled to be involved in the program!” Olivia was appreciative for the opportunity to shadow her, too. “Delia has so much insight and experience. I spent most of our time together noting every possible piece of advice- all while having fun getting to know her professionally and personally,” she says. Mentors join university leadership at Boston panel Special thanks to mentors JJ Alberts, Arts ’93, Boston Celtics; Jen Lada, Comm ’02, ESPN; Steve Rushin, Jour ’88, Sports Illustrated; and Derek Gutierrez, Bus Ad ’08, Pepsi Sports, for participating in the Marquette sports leadership panel with Marquette Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl (second from left). The alumni event took place Nov. 3 in Boston with Diederich College of Communication Dean Kimo Ah Yun providing opening remarks. Five Questions With... Lou Hernandez, Comm ’00 (Gabby Movalson, Comm ’18, mentee) 1. You’ve mentored four students and served in the MUAA Mentor Program ever since it was established in 2013-14. Why?  It has been a truly enjoyable experience - the mentees have demonstrated fantastic enthusiasm, poise and professionalism. I'll continue to participate in the program as long as I can, because as a member of the Marquette community/family, service is an ongoing endeavor. 2. What suggestions do you have for other mentees? I believe inertia is our worst enemy professionally; my chief suggestion to each mentee has been to stay "busy" - stay in front of people and move the conversation.  3.  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Any and every activity my four-year-old daughter wants to do; aside from that visiting my gym. Read Lou's full interview. We Are Marquette: Expand your network with MUAA Mentor Directory Join many program participants who are building their Marquette network through the 2016-17 MUAA Mentor Program Mentor Directory, which features nearly 80 alumni mentors. Learn how other mentors and mentees work together, their career journey, ask about your own career exploration after Marquette, the job market in a particular city and more. Program participants are invited to secure a directory by contacting daniel.deweerdt@marquette.edu. Special thanks to the alumni mentors who have agreed to be included in the directory and serve as another resource to participants. In the News Congratulations to these mentor program participants for their recent achievements. Joel Andryc, Sp ’79, is an executive producer of Saban’s Power Rangers movie, scheduled for release on March 24, 2017. The movie starts Elizabeth Banks, Brian Cranston and Bill Hader. This is his fourth year in the MUAA Mentor Program and he resides in the Los Angeles area. (Mentee Jc Diaz, Comm ’17)     Len Kasper, Comm '93, television play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs, celebrated the team's world championship on Nov. 2. (Mentee Connor Basch, Comm '18)       Tricia Lindsey, Comm ’18, was recently initiated into Lambda Pi  Eta, the Diederich College of Communication honor society. (Mentor Christopher Pardon, Comm ’92, CNN)       Phillip Parisi, Eng ’19, will be serving as a product management intern at Molex in Lisle, Ill., in  summer 2017. He will also be pursuing an engineering co-op with HUSCO International starting in fall 2018. (Mentor Kayleen Helms, Eng ’88, Intel)       If you have a new job, received a promotion or award, joined a non-profit or another accomplishment you'd like to share In the News, send it with a headshot to daniel.deweerdt@marquette.edu. MUAA Mentor Program Toolbox offers relevant mentor, career resources From mentor and mentee icebreaker questions to timely and trending mentor and professional development articles, visit the MUAA Mentor Program Toolbox. This month's featured resource: Corner Office from The New York Times CEO offers advice for college graduates, leadership lessons and why it's not "awesome" until it really is. Mentor program questions or comments? Contact MUAA Mentor Program Director Dan DeWeerdt at daniel.deweerdt@marquette.edu or (414) 288-4740.