2,600+ ALUMNI WILLING TOMENTOR
Dan Hildebrandt ’16MBA Human resources business partner, manager, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota Dan Hildebrandt wants to remind mentors this humbling but important truth: You do not need to be an expert in everything to be a good mentor. “One of the most valuable things a mentor can do is to open their network to their mentee, so don’t be shy about leveraging your connections to share their expertise and help grow your mentee’s professional network,” he said. “For mentees, this experience is yours to own and drive, so define your purpose for entering into the relationship, take it seriously and commit to making the most of the time and experience your mentor is sharing with you.” As an alumnus of the part-time MBA program, Hildebrandt appreciates the lifelong value he walked into as a member of the Tommie Network. He appreciates the insights his classmates brought into the classroom as they worked through the curriculum. “The way St. Thomas programming brought the real world into the classroom was a key differentiator for me,” Hildebrandt said.
Lora Young ’12 U.S. carrier sales lead, Apple, San Francisco, California Like many alumni, Lora Young recounts those early days as some of the most impressionable in her college career. “My fondest memories from St. Thomas are meeting my best friends during freshman year in Dowling Hall
1,800+ STUDENTS SEEKING COUNSEL
and then living together in a house near campus. We still remain good friends today,”
she said. Leaning on the Tommie Network was especially helpful in her move to California. “I was able to attend two St. Thomas alumni events in San Francisco and connect with other alumni who live in the Bay Area. This was a wonderful opportunity,” Young said. “I was able to meet a diverse group of people from a wide range of graduating years.” As Tommies consider ways to build their own networks, she encourages them to identify goals and be willing to put in the time to make it successful for both people involved. “A strong mentorship goes both ways,” she said. “As a mentee, come prepared and know what you are looking to receive from the relationship. As a mentor, make sure to carve out time and check in, as well as provide honest feedback and advice. Both parties should be receiving value from one another.”
MENTORS FROM 46 STATES AND 21 COUNTRIES IN 2020-21
654 CONNECTIONS MADE IN 2020-21
Readmore: link.stthomas.edu/mentoring
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