Developing a professional mentor relationship: 5 points(Neriah Carson)

 

Attending the scholarship dinner was a really impactful experience because it gave me the opportunity to connect with donors and begin building a professional mentor relationship. One of the biggest strengths of the event was being able to have real conversations with people who are invested in my success and the success of other students. I especially appreciated connecting with Cara Hughes, which made the experience more personal and helped me feel more supported in my academic journey. One thing that could have been improved is having more structured time for smaller group conversations so we could build even deeper connections.

This experience connects to my understanding of the importance of networking and mentorship in achieving long-term goals. It showed me that success is not only about hard work individually, but also about building relationships with people who can offer guidance, encouragement, and opportunities. I’ve noticed a pattern in my experiences where meaningful connections often open doors and help me stay motivated in my goals.

Overall, this dinner impacted me by making me more intentional about building and maintaining professional relationships. Moving forward, I want to stay in contact with the donors I met, especially Cara Hughes, and continue cultivating that mentorship. I also want to be more active in seeking out mentorship opportunities as I grow in my academic and career path.