30-Minute Mentor program connects alumni with current students

Slack wants to work in the finance industry, so he sought career advice.

That’s why Slack visited the University Center on November 15 to learn from someone with proven industry experience.

UM-Dearborn alumna Kristi Jones (’02 B.B.A., B.A.), who manages Ford Motor Co.’s Treasury Operations Debt & Derivatives team, returned to campus to speak with Slack and other students about career development.

“I just wanted to talk to somebody who was already in the field,” Slack said. “It’s a lot different from talking to your professor. It’s nice talking to someone who has a lot of insight and experience in the same field that you’re in.”

Jones was among 16 UM-Dearborn alumni who returned to campus to provide career advice to students, as part of the university’s 30-Minute Mentor program.

Don Knapp (’93 B.A.) joined Jones to share his insight with students about careers in government and law.

“As much as anything, I think whether you’re a student or somebody who’s involved in a career, it’s important to have a plan,” said Knapp, Livonia City attorney who also works for Fausone Bohn, LLP. “Know where you’re going and understand the things that make people successful, whether it’s planning for the future, making other plans or building a network.”

UM-Dearborn’s Office of Alumni Relations organized about 70 mentoring sessions for the November 15 event. Another 40 students were waitlisted, which inspired Alumni Relations Director Peggy Pattison to expand the program next semester.

“We’re going to do this every semester,” Pattison said.

Kathleen Adams, senior career counselor for UM-Dearborn’s Career Services, also was on hand to help critique students’ resumes.

UM-Dearborn senior Qasim Chaudhary attended a mentoring session to gain some career direction.

“Before I went to the meeting, I was totally lost because I had no idea what I would be doing,” Chaudhary said. “I had no direction. I could not focus myself.”

But after a half-hour spent talking with UM-Dearborn alumnus Ryan Hass (’04 B.S., ’10 M.S.), Chaudhary said he felt more prepared for his future career in engineering.

“It helped me to see myself in the future,” he said. “It definitely opened my eyes.”

Like Chaudhary, Chris Scott (’11 M.S.E.) relied on mentors to steer him in the right direction. That’s why Scott, systems engineer at the U.S. Army Robotic Systems Joint Project Office in Warren, returned to campus on November 15 to share career advice with students.

“Mentorships are so important,” said Scott, listed among the 2012 Crain’s Detroit Business’ “20 in their 20s.” “This is my way of giving back.”

Learn more about the 30-Minute Mentor program.