ARCHIVED SUCCESS STORIES

What inspired you to join the VSB mentor program?

“Michele Gianforcaro invited me to join the advisory board during my freshman year and some friends of mine had already been a part of the Mentor Program for two years. They had spoken at length about how rewarding it was and after hearing about their experiences, I could not wait to get started during my sophomore year. Since then, I’ve spent two years building a great relationship with Megan; she has been a fantastic mentor and I am excited to continue to work with her after graduation.” – Patrick

“I was a part of the mentor program when I was at VSB and could tell right away it was an amazing program to be involved in. So many people helped me when I was at VSB, while I was looking for a job, and when I graduated, and I wanted to give back in the same way. The network is full of amazing alumni and students, so I jumped at the opportunity to join as a mentor.” – Megan

How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“If I were to use one word: exceeded! Going into a new professional relationship, I was pretty nervous since I did not know how to talk to a mentor or what to talk about. I had never had a mentor before, but I knew that I had career goals, and having a mentor to provide feedback was invaluable. Megan has gone above and beyond what I thought my mentor would be. Not only has she provided me with advice on resumes, cover letters, and interview tips, but we have also gotten to know each other as people. Megan helped me as a professional and made sure I had a fantastic experience at Villanova at the same time. She even gave me study abroad advice when I was preparing to go to London for a semester!” – Patrick

“So much better than expected! I knew I would get paired with an amazing student, but Patrick and I hit it off right away. With differing schedules, it can be difficult to connect at times, but we’ve always managed to make time to regroup, even meeting in NYC when Patrick came back from London. I was so impressed by how mature and eager Patrick was to learn and be a part of this program. He’s gone above and beyond to make our relationship a success.” – Megan

What makes your relationship a successful one?

“I think the biggest thing that makes our relationship successful is our openness and communication. From the get-go, Megan and I started building trust to ask the important questions regarding my professional development. Megan has been honest and authentic from the start, which has helped me feel comfortable asking tough questions. Over the past two years, I have been able to learn from Megan’s professional experiences as well as her personal experiences. At the same time, I have gotten to know her not only as a professional mentor but also as a friend and someone who’s in my corner as I navigate my career.” – Patrick

“We’ve made the time to connect, either in person, via email or at networking events (when possible!) and put the time in necessary to build a connection. I think we’ve also been candid in our discussions to build trust, so hopefully, Patrick can come to me and ask the hard questions he may not feel comfortable asking others.” – Megan

What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?

“There are things that you can’t ask your boss in the workplace. Having someone like Megan who is there to answer those tough questions and help navigate the job offer process or the transition to and from my study abroad experience has been invaluable to my personal and professional development.” – Patrick

“The ongoing connection and tie to VSB. It’s been so exciting to watch Patrick go through these final years at Villanova and hear about his successes (academic and otherwise). I can’t wait to see where he lands and hopefully be able to help with that. I know now that we have this network, we’ll be connected even when his time at VSB is up.” – Megan

Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the program?

“My best advice is to communicate with each other. Not reaching out to your mentor to develop that relationship does not help either party, and the information and experience you’ll gain from such a relationship are too valuable to miss. I honestly think I would be in a different position professionally without Megan’s advice and guidance. Also, be yourself and be honest with what you’re looking to get out of this program. It is important to set expectations and goals early on so each of you can get the most out of the relationship. Allowing yourself to be honest with what you are looking for and working with your mentor to get there can build trust, and most importantly, a lifelong mentoring relationship!” – Patrick

“Always make time to touch base! Given everything that was going on in the world, our standard chats fell off, but once we reconnected and got meetings back on the schedule it was easy to fall back into a routine. It’s so important to make the relationship a priority even when things get lost in the shuffle.” – Megan

What inspired you to join the VSB mentor program?

“When I was a sophomore, I heard about the VSB Mentor Program through the pipeline of information that VSB shares with students. I attended a panel to learn more, and upon hearing upperclassmen speak about their experiences building relationships with their mentors, I could not help but be excited by the opportunity. Everyone had such good things to say about their mentors and the wonderful relationships they had built. Now, after having the same experience with Brett, I understand why they said that!” – Mary Kaitlin

“I never had a mentor, despite the fact that every business book on the planet recommends having one. I always pined for someone to be invested in my success and challenge me to improve. I wanted someone to give it to me straight but also tell me how to use my skills. I may not have found that person when I was in college, but when the opportunity arose to serve that role for someone else, I was thrilled to participate.” – Brett

How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“In a single word: exceeded! I expected a lot of things from the mentorship experience, most specifically relating to guidance and support through my academic and career journey. However, my mentorship experience with Brett has been more than one just based on that guidance and support; in addition, I’ve gotten to know Brett as a person, and as someone with whom I can  bounce around ideas, explore the difficulties of work-life balance, and share all the peaks, and valleys of life.” – Mary Kaitlin

“I continue to be thoroughly impressed by the program itself and especially by Mary Kaitlin’s commitment to making it work for her. What exceeded my expectations most of all was Mary Kaitlin’s maturity and self-awareness. A relationship is successful when both people come together with mutually aligned goals and I am inspired by someone who takes control of her circumstances and works to put herself in a position to be successful.” – Brett

What makes your relationship a successful one?

“What makes my mentorship with Brett successful is our openness with one another. From the onset, Brett showed his authentic and honest personality whenever he interacted with me, and I have since come to recognize that is how he conducts all of his relationships, whether professional or personal. As a result, I was able to learn not only from Brett’s professional guidance, but also his personal guidance, and get to know him as both a professional mentor and a friend. Because I feel as though I know Brett in that context, I have been able to appreciate him as a role model in various aspects of life.” – Mary Kaitlin

“Mary Kaitlin came to the table with goals for her career, priorities for professional development, and a willingness to confront realities of post-college life. This enabled a stronger connection because I felt I could relate more directly to her as a person. I became invested in wanting to see her succeed because I saw how hard she was working to pursue a career with a purpose. I am proud to see her make decisions and press forward, adapting as necessary but owning the responsibility of her own success. Her work ethic inspires me and I carry that energy into my personal and professional life.” – Brett

What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?

“I have someone I can count on to ask the questions, or just chat with about the things that you can’t really ask your boss. When I’m not sure how to approach sending a difficult email, how to decide between two companies, or how to navigate work-life balance issues, amongst so many other things, Brett is there for me. As I said, he is not just a mentor, but also a friend who supports me both professionally and personally.” – Mary Kaitlin

“I have a new friend! In a world that is becoming increasingly compartmentalized into specific roles, I value the perspective of someone in a different stage of life. It helps me be a more empathetic father and CEO by staying connected to people facing different circumstances. I am grateful to have met someone who I can also bounce ideas off and know I’m going to get an honest reaction. I encourage all mentors to approach the program by also having things you want to gain from the experience. The students like Mary Kaitlin who are taking the initiative to participate in this program are our future. We have a lot we can learn from each other.” – Brett

Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the program?

“To anyone else already in, or just beginning, a mentorship experience through the VSB Mentor Program, my “best practice” advice is to be your authentic self with your mentor. It's easy to be intimidated by the success and confidence of VSB alumni, but at the end of the day, they know a thing or two about what it’s like to be in your shoes because they once were! So, don’t be afraid to share the questions you’re nervous about asking, your side passions and hobbies, or the stresses of academic and young professional life from YOUR unique lens. Being upfront about who you are and what you’re looking to gain from this experience, while also remaining true to your personality breaks down the barrier of that intimidation and allows you to get to know your mentor (and yourself) so much better. All the rest falls into place from there, trust me!” – Mary Kaitlin

“Video chat. Phone calls are impersonal and emotionally distant. Especially early on when you are trying to establish that trust, make sure you can give the person your full attention. You have to look at each other in the eye and believe the relationship will enrich your lives.” – Brett

What inspired you to join the VSB mentor program?

“I had heard the success stories of upperclassmen and wanted to try to make a great connection with a mentor of my own. I was a sophomore looking for any and all opportunities to land internships and jobs to expand my experience in the finance world.” – Michael

“I’ve had some great mentors in my life and when presented with the opportunity, I wanted to give back. Plus, I wish they had something like this when I was in the business school, so it felt foolish to not participate and help.” – John

How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“My experience has far surpassed my expectations. It has been everything I looked for and more from the very beginning.” – Michael

“It has far exceeded my expectations. First off, I’m very impressed with the level of student that is coming through Villanova right now. After my first conversation with Michael, I knew he was someone I wanted to invest my time in. To say it’s been a successful partnership is an understatement.” – John

What makes your relationship a successful one?

“John is an approachable mentor who truly looked to build a relationship with me from the beginning. His genuine willingness to help is the foundation which created our successful relationship, and we sustained it with openness and communication. Over many calls, John and I were able to determine the questions and true interests I had which allowed him to use his experience and knowledge in directing me and connecting me with others who could help me. Specifically, John connected me with a classmate of his who works in the wealth management industry, which was an area I had an interest in. After speaking to John’s classmate, I was able to work as a part-time intern in his office during the fall semester of my junior year. This experience provided me with an understanding of the industry and with skills that I used in my next internship.” – Michael

“Open lines of communication. I have a busy job and young family, so it’s not easy for me to always set specific times to chat. We have each other’s cell numbers and text/call whenever we need something. Michael always comes to me with well-thought-out questions that we can have an open dialogue about. He’s not afraid to ask questions and accept feedback. I’ve found myself bouncing as many questions off him as he does of me; it has become a great two-way relationship.” – John

What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?

“The best part about having a mentor is having the support of someone – who has been in my shoes – available to answer my questions and give me advice throughout my time at VSB. Without John’s input, I would not have known where to begin learning about different finance industries without John’s advice.” – Michael

“It’s great to still have a connection to campus; being able to text him after the basketball team won the National Championship in 2018 and ask how the campus was reacting was really cool. Most importantly, it’s just being able to give back and help someone. When we started, Michael had a very defined path for his future, and it’s been a lot of fun to be part of that. Now I see that he’s realizing every single goal he set out for himself when we first started, and it’s been such a joy to be part of.” – John

Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the program?

“My best practice is to be very open and communicative. If both mentor and mentee are willing to ask questions and try new things, the relationship will blossom and, in the end, be very helpful to the mentee in their search for the right career.” – Michael

“Leverage your Villanova network outside of the mentor/mentee relationship. One of my closest friends, and fellow alumnus, is in the line of business that Michael wanted to get into, so I set them up for a conference call. Michael built a relationship with him and Michael got a great internship from this fellow Villanova alum (shout out to Lou Spinelli!). He was able to learn a lot of real-world job skills that he could carry forward. It also helped him confirm the career path he wanted to take and ultimately helped him land a phenomenal job upon graduation.” – John 

1. What inspired you to join the VSB Mentor Program?    

“I decided to join the VSB Mentor Program because I wanted the opportunity to build relationships with VSB alumni. For college students, there’s immeasurable value in hearing the experiences and lessons learned from people who were in your exact situation. It’s so helpful to learn that your struggles are common and are not unique to you. It builds your confidence and makes you believe that you can also be successful.” – Chichi

“I am a VSB alumni, and I married my wife, a graduate of Villanova Nursing, at St. Thomas of Villanova Church. I’ve been active in maintaining connections with Villanova through my current employer via recruiting and saw the VSB Mentor Program as an excellent opportunity to give back. I’m also a big believer in mentoring and have benefited from mentee and mentor relationships over my career.” – Andy

2. How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“I was a little nervous because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how willing Andy is to make himself available to me and provide the support and counsel that I need academically, professionally and otherwise. It feels like I’ve made a new friend who happens to be older, really smart and gives great advice.” – Chichi

“I think the program has been great so far and I’ve appreciated getting to know Chichi. She has  wonderful drive and focus on what she wants to do post-graduation and is open to feedback on areas of improvement. Chichi is easy to work with and I’ve enjoyed seeing her progress since we started the program in the spring.” – Andy

3. What makes your relationship a successful one?    

“I think our relationship has been a successful one because we move at our own pace. In every relationship, it’s always necessary to find a way to add value to each party involved in that relationship, and in every relationship that ‘value’ looks different. It’s important to be cognizant of that.” – Andy

“I didn’t need much help figuring out internships or classes to take. I figured all that out very early on in my college career. From a mentor, I was looking for someone with a listening ear— someone I could share my struggles and fears with. With unfaltering commitment, Andy has been that for me.” – Chichi

“I wholeheartedly agree with Chichi. There’s no cookie cutter approach to a mentorship relationship. The key is to listen and learn from each other so that both can focus on where the impact matters most. Chichi’s been highly focused on her post-graduation plans and so our relationship has revolved more around me listening and serving as a sounding board/guide for her plans and progress.” – Andy

4. What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?    

“It’s so comforting to know that you have someone you can go to if you need help with anything. It makes you feel like you aren’t alone in your journey. For me, that’s been my favorite part about having a mentor.” – Chichi

“It’s been refreshing gaining more insight into the focus and drive of a current VSB student. Chichi seems exceptional and as an employer who often hires VSB graduates and a father of two teenagers, I really appreciate gaining insights into what differentiates today’s VSB students and I have Chichi to thank for that.” – Andy 

5. Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the Program?

“I think it is important to make the mentor/mentee relationship your own. The relationship should reflect the personalities of the two people involved. It needs to be authentic for an organic connection to form.” – Chichi 

“You have to be honest with each other in setting clear goals and defining what you’re looking to get out of the relationship and then follow through accordingly. I also think it’s important to have periodic in-person meetings to foster a tight relationship to avoid an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality. Chichi and I have tried to blend our interaction with in-person lunches with correspondence over e-mail and social media, which helped foster a great new friendship.” – Andy

1. What inspired you to join the VSB Mentor Program?    

“I joined the VSB Mentor Program because I knew I wanted a role model within my field who could guide me in figuring out where I could excel in the vast field of MIS.” – Catherine

“My goal for becoming a VSB mentor was to help students prepare for their careers by sharing my experiences and leveraging my personal network.” – Tom

2. How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“I knew that when I met Tom, he would be someone who was present and engaged in my future. I could tell he wanted me to find a field and eventually a company where I would not just survive but thrive.” – Catherine

“Participating in the VSB Mentor Program has been fantastic. I’ve always had a strong interest in developing people – so meeting, understanding one’s goals, and helping them achieve them is very rewarding.” – Tom

3. What makes your relationship a successful one?    

“Tom and I have an open path of communication and emphasize meeting in person so that we can better understand one another. I think this understanding has helped Tom guide me and has helped me learn from him.” – Catherine

“I would have to say two-way communication is critical. As a mentor, it’s really important to listen before jumping in with guidance and suggestions. A wise former leader once told me, “Listen, learn and lead … and don’t mess up the order!” Once you’ve built a relationship, it’s a lot easier to challenge and advise.” – Tom

4. What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?    

“The best part of the VSB Mentor Program has been having someone who can help me and someone who I can look up to.” – Catherine

“The best part of mentoring is the ability to share your knowledge, insights and experiences in a way that helps students formulate their own career plans. It’s a great way to pay it forward. It’s also a valuable part of Villanova’s culture that: ‘Villanovans help Villanovans!’” – Tom

5. Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the Program?

“If possible, meet in person as often as you can so you can truly form a relationship with your mentor. Be open and honest about what you want from the program and always have an open channel of communication.” – Catherine

“Meet regularly and in person if possible. It really helps to have a little structure on what you want to discuss in each meeting and try to leave with a list of follow-up items to keep moving forward on your mentoring goals.” – Tom

1.     What inspired you to join the VSB Mentor Program?    

“Villanova is known to have a strong alumni network, so this program was perfect for me to meet someone that was once in my shoes as a VSB student. I’ve always wanted to establish a long-term relationship with someone who can help me develop professionally. Instead of becoming another name within my network, I wanted to know my mentor on a personal level.” – Jackie

“As a Villanova student, I had the opportunity to be developed by great mentors and be mentors to others. These experiences proved to be exceptionally valuable over the course of my four years, helping me make career and life decisions while developing some life-long relationships. I knew that being a part of the VSB Mentor Program would allow me to continue on this path in a meaningful way.” - Aminah

2.     How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“My experience has far exceeded my expectation. I am not the most outgoing person, so I feel a need to be mentally prepared before asking questions. Because Aminah is very understanding and patient, I have been able to gradually step out of my comfort zone. It’s great to have someone that provides honest opinions from a different perspective when discussing my short-term and long-term career plans. Aminah also offered to review my resume and prep interviews with me. I’m very thankful for everything she has done for me as a mentor.” – Jackie

“Far exceeded! When I first met Jackie, I could not imagine being where we are today. Not only has Jackie made incredible strides in her career (landing a Spring Co-Op AND a full-time offer at Johnson & Johnson!), our relationship has really blossomed, and I look forward to seeing that continue in years to come. While all of Jackie’s success is attributed to her hard work and drive, it is incredibly rewarding as a mentor to see her grow.” - Aminah

3.     What makes your relationship a successful one?    

“Communication and understanding are very important. Aminah and I try to schedule a catch-up call every 4-6 weeks, and we have always been very considerate of each other’s time when something comes up last minute.” – Jackie

“I think communication is key. For me, working full-time and traveling 4 days a week most weeks can be a handful. For Jackie, being a full-time student and then working full time can be a handful too! Having an open line of communication with Jackie really has helped us have meaningful time together, even if that mean’s rescheduling our calls to a different day to make sure we are both present for the conversations we need to have, even if it just catching up.” – Aminah

4.     What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?    

“The best part about having a mentor is knowing that someone is always there to support you and celebrate your success with you. I see Aminah as the person who has witnessed my growth from sophomore year to senior year. Without Aminah’s support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” – Jackie

“The best part about having a mentee is that warm fuzzy feeling (yes, I said it) when you see your mentee reach his/her goals. Sometimes it’s making a decision about classes, studying for a big exam, landing an interview, or even having a tough conversation – seeing a mentee reach and even exceed goals like this really make my day.”- Aminah

5.     Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the Program?

“I find it helpful to get to know your mentor outside of the traditional mentor/mentee relationship. The friendship acts as a base for proper communication and understanding. Schedules can sometimes get hectic for both sides, but it’s important to make an effort to keep each other updated and reschedule when necessary.” – Jackie

“Although it can be difficult, I think meeting in person really helps break down barriers. Once you know each other a little better, it is easier to have difficult conversations and grow more as a mentor/mentee pair.” - Aminah

1. What inspired you to join the VSB mentor program?  

“I thought it would be very helpful to be able to foster a long-term relationship with someone who has lots of experience. It’s not as easy to ask certain questions or be able to take answers at face value unless you’ve known the person for a while, so I wanted to have someone like that. I felt that it would be good to have someone who could honestly evaluate my weaknesses and point out things I need to work on. When people don’t know you that well, they’re usually just polite about everything, so I wanted a mentor who would be more honest with their feedback than strangers or acquaintances. I think one of the biggest factors for me was that all the mentors were volunteers and wanted to give back their time and experience to help students. That was a big draw for me because the other side was going to be as excited and engaged and wanted to help.” - Luke

“I have been very fortunate in my career and I attribute much of my success to my Villanova education. In my previous company, located in Baltimore, I became involved in community services and I encouraged other employees to do the same. Our company was very active with United Way, Susan B. Komen, St. John’s Food Pantry and other outreach programs. I became involved in Villanova giving but due to distance was not able to get involved in campus activities. I met with Father Peter in 2011 when I returned to the area looking for ways to help Villanova’s mission. Shortly thereafter my wife and I established a scholarship endowment fund and I continued to look for ways to give back to Nova. Providing advice to a business student seemed like a way to help shape someone’s thought process as they moved towards a business career.” - Bob

2. How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“My experience has met my expectations! It’s given me a mentor who I’m comfortable going to with questions and we focus more on the ‘big picture.’ While I can ask Bob resume or interview questions, we also discuss big career goals and plan how to meet those goals.” - Luke

“I really did not know what to expect. I recalled my own experience in making the transition from student to employment; it was hard. I was fortunate to have a family friend who was extremely helpful in my transition and hoped that I could do the same. Watching Luke grow over the past year as I have mentored him has resulted in me surpassing my original expectations.” - Bob

3. What makes your relationship a successful one?

“Communicating consistently! I don’t think you have to talk that often, but just make sure it’s done consistently so you can build up the rapport and comfort level with each other.” - Luke

“I believe that Luke and I have had clear communication from the beginning. We took time to get to know each other and we focused on his needs and his goals. We established some benchmarks for him, and he did the work. Then we made sure to communicate periodically to measure progress. All of those steps helped build Luke’s confidence and will hopefully result in him reaching his goals.” - Bob

4. What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?

“Personally, it’s always having that one person to turn to with questions or to talk about how an experience went and discuss the takeaways together.” - Luke

“I have enjoyed helping Luke. The fact that he is an international student has made this experience even more special. I had the opportunity to meet his dad who had concerns about his son being a world away. That interaction was special and seeing his reassurance was an unexpected reward.” - Bob

5. Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the program?

“Communication is key, and you only get out what you put in. The mentors want to help but they can only work with what you give them.” - Luke

“My best practice involves two things:

1. Closely follow the advice and direction of the Mentor Program director.

• Get to know your mentee
• Establish goals together
• Monitor progress with frequent communication

2. I adopted a profile aid that I have used at my companies for many years. It was very helpful to gain a deeper understanding of Luke and some of his tendencies.” - Bob

1. What inspired you to join the VSB Mentor Program?    

“One of the main factors that motivated me to choose to attend Villanova was its emphasis on the “Nova Network” and how vast and active the alumni network is. I knew this would be extremely helpful for me to learn about the financial services industry as a whole and specific jobs within the industry. When I heard about the Mentor Program, it seemed like a no-brainer for me to join. It could only be a beneficial experience in which I would be able to form a relationship with a successful alumnus and in turn grow personally and professionally.” – Joe

“VSB has opened numerous doors for me, and I want others to feel as impacted as I have felt over the years. Being in the VSB Mentor Program is just a small way I can give back to a school very important to me.” - Ed

2. How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“I had high expectations going in and the Mentor Program has lived up to all of them and then some. I knew I would be able to make a meaningful connection, but I didn’t realize how well my mentor and I would get along.” - Joe

“This experience has exceeded my expectations. It’s personally rewarding to be a mentor, especially when the mentee is as great at Joe.” - Ed

3. What makes your relationship a successful one?    

“I believe my relationship has been successful for many different reasons. Primarily, we keep in touch often, even if it is just a quick message here and there. We have a mutual understanding that each of us is busy, but still make that effort to keep each other updated. Additionally, Ed has given me great advice over the years and my willingness to trust and listen to him has helped me grow in all aspects of my life.” - Joe

“Joe is a well-rounded, self-starter/motivator, which has made this relationship so successful. He always reaches out to catch up, and while we both have a mutual understanding that life can be hectic, we always find time to connect. We also share common interests; growing up in the same area and sharing similar interests is what makes our relationship stronger than just a business relationship.” - Ed

4. What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?    

“It’s difficult for me to pick one specific aspect of having a mentor that I like the best. I would say the best part of having Ed as my mentor has been how well-rounded our relationship is. I have him to lean on and ask advice about important interviews and career decisions, but our relationship goes past that as we get along on a personal level as well. Whether it’s talking about basketball or just meeting to grab dinner and catch up, all of the experiences I’ve had have been meaningful for me.” – Joe

“Taking what knowledge I have of business and sharing that with Joe has been great. He asks meaningful questions, and I can tell he really cares about his future after college.” – Ed

5. Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the Program?

“As advertised, the mentor/mentee relationship is truly what you make of it. A quick text here and there goes a long way and can help to keep the relationship alive and well. I recommend staying in touch as much as you can.” – Joe

“Communication is key. A small gesture goes a long way.” – Ed

1. What inspired you to join the VSB mentor program?   

“I have a real desire to share a career’s worth of experiences and to give back to Villanova students. The VSB Program is the most direct and personal way I can do this right now. My career experiences started with my junior year internship as a Villanova Accounting major and continue to this day through a diverse career in the Big Four and international public companies in the U.S. and Europe. Although it’s been many years since that internship, I believe my learnings back then and since will help Mitch and give him perspective in preparation for his own career.” – Mike

“I saw the program as a good opportunity to connect with a Villanova alumnus, and develop a professional relationship with a person in my field of study. I also saw it as a chance to gain insights and advice from an experienced professional.” – Mitch

2. How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“My experience after nearly six months has far exceeded my expectations. Though we are still developing and fine-tuning our relationship and establishing the best way to work together, we’ve accomplished a great deal. So far, we’ve worked through some of Mitch’s more important goals and have introduced him to what it’s like to work in the public accounting and auditing field. Mitch and I learn a little more about each other every meeting and this makes each meeting more effective. We are at the point where we have a nice cadence of meetings with agendas covering short and longer-term goals. We always start by catching up on our respective lives, followed by trading ideas on our agenda topics, exploring new areas that come up and setting a tentative agenda for our next meeting.” – Mike

“The experience has certainly exceeded my expectation. Mike really makes our meetings enjoyable and enriching. One thing we discussed was what to expect in an interview. Discussing this helped me to feel more comfortable in the interview room, and better prepared to answer difficult questions.” - Mitch

3. What makes your relationship a successful one?

“We’ve been successful for three main reasons: first, we have respect for each other’s time and come prepared for every meeting. Second, we started our relationship by learning about each other and what each of us wants to get out of the VSB Mentor Program; and third, early in our time together, we set initial goals to prepare Mitch for the internship interview process and a plan to achieve them by the end of the summer. For this fall, we have set goals that will prepare Mitch for his future internship while also working on other soft skills, like making effective presentations.” - Mike

 “Logistically speaking, we keep in touch regularly and set dates and times in advance so we can make time in our busy schedules to talk. Additionally, we make an effort to set goals and bring value to meetings.” – Mitch

4. What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?    

“I have really enjoyed getting to know Mitch and his career plans, hearing about the areas he’s studying and learning about what is going on at VSB. Personally, it’s been rewarding to share my perspectives on the Big Four/public accounting and broader risk management field with Mitch as well as provide him with real-world experience from an international perspective. I’ve also enjoyed sharing some of the intangibles with Mitch of what it takes to be successful – areas like leadership; negotiation and presentation skills. It’s been great to see Mitch’s knowledge, awareness and interest grow and develop in these areas.” - Mike

“The best part is having a professional in my field of interest is asking questions about what I’m studying and what I will face in the real world. I think it has already helped me to become more prepared to enter the workforce.” – Mitch

5. Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the program?

“Two best practices we developed during our first six months were  to talk at least monthly, even over the summer, and  to make it a point to have an agenda for each meeting; making for efficient, focused meetings. But we’ve also been flexible with our agendas. For instance, when Mitch found out that he’d have his internship interviews the first two weeks of school, we adjusted and focused our time preparing for and anticipating interview questions.” – Mike

“I think it is just like anything else, what you put in is what you get out. If you put the effort into developing a good relationship, your experience with the program will be worthwhile.” – Mitch

1. What inspired you to join the VSB mentor program?

“I was interested in the Mentor Program because I knew it would be a good way to gain professional insight on choosing a career path. I also wanted someone who could help me grow my network, particularly in the Boston area. However, the main reason I joined the VSB Mentor Program was because it seemed like a great opportunity to meet someone who was experienced and could provide counsel when I had questions. Whether it was choosing a major, reviewing my resume, or looking at job possibilities, I knew having a Villanova alumnus who shared my values would be an amazing resource.” - Jenna

“When I first saw the opportunity to become a part of this program, so many things resonated with me. In no particular order, this is what came to mind:

• Mentoring would give me an opportunity to connect first hand with the school.
• I wish I had a mentor when I was in college.
• I already do a lot of mentoring with younger employees at my firm, and with friends’ sons and daughters who are looking for advice. Why not do it with fellow future alums?
• It’s a great way to give back and make our school a better place.” - Lee

2. How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“My experience has far exceeded my expectations. Lee has been a tremendous help throughout my years at Nova, and I’m so happy to have him as my mentor. From proofing my resume sophomore year to helping me find an internship this past summer, he has always been so enthusiastic about setting me up for success. While I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to major in, he had me shadow people in different departments of his company to see what interested me. He was also instrumental in helping me find an internship this past summer that I absolutely loved. I can always tell that he not only wants me to succeed, but he also wants me to be happy.” - Jenna

“My expectations have been exceeded! Jenna has been a wonderful listener and it has been incredible sharing and imparting the wisdom I have on a student who wants to succeed. I also feel humbled that people like us can make such an impression on current students. We started talking two years ago and I feel like Jenna has been able to glean so much from the things we have discussed.” - Lee

3. What makes your relationship a successful one?

“I think our relationship is successful because we are very open with each other. I can ask Lee anything and know I will get an honest response. He has so much experience under his belt which gives him a very unique viewpoint, and I really appreciate that. Communication has also been a reason for our success. We are both very busy, but we always try our best to meet up in Boston for coffee, and will text each other just to check in.” - Jenna

“Jenna has been so open to meeting when she is home in Boston, and makes such a great impression on everyone I set her up with, that  she not only makes herself a better employment candidate but also makes me look good at the same time (which is hard to do!). People have gone out of their way after their first interaction to make sure she has what she needs and usually follow up asking what else they can do to help her.” - Lee

4. What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?    

“The best part about having a mentor has been having someone who always supports me and is there to be my guide when I’m not sure what to do or where to go next. Additionally, Lee has helped me grow my network immensely. He has so many connections and is always trying to put me in contact with anyone he thinks would be a good resource. He always has my best interests at heart and truly wants me to be successful.” - Jenna

“The fact that I have had such an impact on someone’s development, aside from my own children, and that she is so appreciative of what I have helped her with, is the most rewarding. Jenna was able to intern at a company in Boston that really suited her potential interests, and likely, she will end up getting an offer from them upon graduation. Additionally, while we all know the success of VU’s basketball team has made us feel proud of our connection to Villanova, this experience has been made me even more proud of my affiliation; so much so that I have asked to mentor more students so that, in the end, I can have my own “family tree” of mentees.” - Lee

5. Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the program?

“The best advice I would give to other pairs in the Mentor Program is don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’ve learned so much from Lee about the workplace that I wouldn’t have learned in school because I’m comfortable asking him about things I don’t know. He has helped me through many situations where I wasn’t exactly sure of the next step. Mentors are a wealth of knowledge, so the more questions you ask, the more information you’ll have. In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to be prepared for life after college.”
- Jenna

“If you become a mentor in this Program, put as much into it as you can. You honestly do not realize how much of a mark you make on these young, impressionable students that we all once were. We all have that in common. Any help you can provide from your network or your experience is more than any of the students had before they met you.  Whether you realize it or not, you are making Villanova stronger by making our students better candidates in the workforce, and on a better track to be successful alums. This can then be carried forward for generations and you can be an integral part of that process.” - Lee

1.     What inspired you to join the VSB mentor program?

“I decided to join the VSB mentor program because I thought it would be a good place to start building connections. I was a sophomore, just figuring out that I wanted to be an accounting major. Out of the friends I had made so far at Villanova, no else had committed to studying accounting. I wanted to meet with someone who could relate to me and help me go through the process.” -Gabby

“I had recently retired from an exciting and rewarding career as a tax professional. I thought back to my college days and recalled the uncertainty and nervousness of finding my first job. I was nervous that I might not have enough to offer Gabby since I was out of the market, but thought it would be rewarding to try to help someone else by giving them a perspective 40 years after college, with all the ups and downs behind me!” –Patti

2.     How has your experience compared to your expectation?

“This experience exceeded all of my expectations. Not only did I get a mentor out of the process, but a friend as well. I heard some stories from my friends about how they had lost contact with their mentors. Looking back, I am so glad this did not happen in my mentor-mentee relationship.” -Gabby

“The experience was even more rewarding that I had hoped. Gabby and I got along well from the beginning. She was curious and shared her thoughts and wishes. I was able to introduce her to people who gave her advice on job fairs and things to consider. We met every two months and even talked on the phone before her job fairs or after her interviews. We reviewed her resume together and talked about etiquette for job interviews. She appreciated what I had to say and I appreciated her questions and feedback.” -Patti

3.     What makes your relationship a successful one?    

“I believe the relationship that Patti and I have is successful because we aim to contact each other at least once a month. Whether it’s through email, text or in person, we always try to find a way to check in. Also, we are both aware that life can get hectic. Sometimes, other things take priority, like exams, vacations, weddings; the list goes on and on. However, this is not an excuse to give up. The dinners we had always made up for the time we hadn’t seen each other, and it just gave us more to talk about. I believe our constant commitment to maintaining this relationship for the past two years is what made it so successful.” -Gabby

“We kept in touch by text, email or phone and also met for dinner every few months. Gabby enjoyed getting off campus and it helped us get to know each other on a personal basis. She is a swimmer and I am an equestrian so we discussed our sports. Plus, we became friends on Facebook so we got to informally meet each other's families.” -Patti

4.     What has been the best part about having a mentor/mentee?  

“The best part about having a mentor is knowing that there is someone who cares. Every time I had an interview, or a career fair to attend, Patti would send me words of encouragement, tips, and would ask about the outcome afterwards. Having someone who is invested in your professional life feels fantastic.” -Gabby

"The best part of mentoring is to have the opportunity to work with the young people.  I enjoyed learning how the finance program at Villanova has evolved since I was in college. The idea of the University offering a professional mentor/mentee program is a perfect way to prepare the students for their future!" -Patti

5.     Do you have a best practice to share with other pairs in the program?

“I recommend setting aside time once a month to meet up. Having that face-to-face contact really helps build a relationship. Patti and I had the ritual of going to Chili’s at least once every two months and I always looked forward to this. My advice would be to put effort into forming a relationship with your mentee, because as a senior now, I am happy ‘sophomore me’ decided to go through the process.” -Gabby

“I believe the fact that we had regular communication, even if by phone or text, was beneficial. That way I could get a feel for how Gabby was feeling about something and give her encouragement or advice on how to deal with it. Gabby knew she could reach out to me whenever she wanted and I would send a quick text if we had not gotten together in a while.”

-Patti

6.     Patti – feel free to share any observations you have experienced working with Gabby since the beginning of your relationship.

“Gabby is a wonderful, well-rounded young woman. She has a warm, friendly demeanor which will help her work well with others. She is dedicated; she is a swimmer, studied accounting and held a part-time job. Gabby knows how to manage her time between work and play, which is important in balancing work and personal life. Gabby decided to go to graduate school at Villanova so we have plans to keep in touch this year while she is still on campus.” -Patti

7.     Gabby – what are your future plans?

“After graduation, I will be going home for the summer and starting the Masters in Accounting with Data Analytics program at Villanova University in the fall.” -Gabby