Vol. 5, No. 1: Spring/Summer 2009
“What do You Wish You Knew Back When . . .”
by Nick Tiemeyer
A senior in the Kelley School of Business reflects on his experiences with two mentoring programs
As a mentor on the Honors Leadership Team (HLT), I have been given the opportunity to reflect on my IU experience and provide advice for sophomores and juniors in Kelley. Sharing advice that answers the question “What do you wish you knew back when . . .” has been rewarding for me, as I know I’ve contributed to the personal and professional development of current students. After four years, seniors have tips on topics like networking, the internship search, navigating coursework, managing class and social life, and study abroad, that faculty cannot offer.
As mentors, students can ask us questions they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking an academic advisor. Pairing mentors and mentees with similar interests helps to make the relationship mutually beneficial. Despite constantly trying to assist mentees, the favor has been returned as mentees have offered to help me network in the challenging job market. While my job is to make the road through Kelley a smoother one, I have been surprised with my mentees’ drive to listen to my suggestions and seek self-improvement.
K-Lead, a mentor program matching seniors in HLT with current Kelley juniors, has matched students with similar career interests to allow for specialized help with the job search. As juniors, many students are investigating different careers. I’ve been paired with two students whose interests are similar to mine. I can help them network, provide interviewing tips, and proof their resumes so they will have the edge as a prospective hire. In addition, the mentoring relationship involves common areas of assistance like resume proofreading, mock interviewing, advice on classes and managing coursework, and obtaining leadership positions.
As a freshman and sophomore, I can remember being overwhelmed by the important decisions I had to make. I hope to alleviate some of that strain on students. College flies by so quickly, and the time we are here as students shapes our lives after graduation
