Brooke Hayes - Class of 2027 - Developing a Professional Mentor Relationship (5 points)

Through the Braven Professional Mentor Program, I had the incredible opportunity to be paired with Nicole Hamilton, a Product Designer at Capital One. As an English major and Art History minor exploring different careers in the arts, I was both curious and uncertain about how to apply my creative interests in professional settings. From our first meeting, Nicole and I established a strong sense of relatability and comfortability. Her openness and understanding helped me navigate the world of career planning with confidence and clarity.

During our 12 weeks together, Nicole guided me through career-building activities such as revising my resume, searching for internships, and practicing interview and networking skills. What stood out most, however, was the way she introduced me to creative career paths within fields I hadn’t realized could align so closely with my academic background and artistic passions. With this, I was able to expand my understanding of what a career in the arts can look like.