SEVERAL YEARS AGO, one of the students I mentored was having a crisis about whether she should continue pursuing her goal of becoming an engineer. Scientifically gifted with an outgoing personality, she was worried a career in engineering meant living in a world of isolation.
We can all picture the stereotypical engineer with an impressive understanding of complex machines and programs, but who can’t carry a conversation. Her perception of engineers was stereotypical, and I assured her that it was not generally the case. I suggested she “shadow” me for a day to learn about my job as an engineering consultant. When she saw through her own eyes that I did not sit in a cubicle all day long, but had a great deal of interaction with clients and co-workers, she exclaimed, “This is wonderful, I can be an engineer!”
Even after all these years, I still remember how her face lit up when she finally realized all engineers are not introverts, and she could have the career she dreamed of.
From that mentoring experience, I discovered alumni can participate in the University community in more ways than financial. Even with very little investment of themselves, they can have great impact.
The Institute of Technology’s Mentor Program, which began in 1991, is one of the best ways students can learn about an industry or career path—directly from those who have been there and done that. For alumni, there is no better way to become involved in the life of the University than to become involved in the life of a student. In the process, connections are made to build a strong community that extends beyond the campus.
Being a mentor is not always about resumes and career paths. Guidance can be broad in scope, encompassing everything from tips on finding an apartment to advice on transitioning to life after college. My time with students has ranged from occasional telephone calls to frequent face-to-face meetings. The relationships can vary greatly. All you can do is say, “I’m here for you.” The rest is up to them.
I wasn’t fortunate enough to have a mentor while I was a student at the U but I found an excellent one at my first job. My own relationship with that mentor lasted almost 30 years. I not only learned engineering technique from him, but how to manage client relationships, how to run a business, and ethics. These things can be learned at the University, but a mentor can tie them together and give them life in ways that the academic approach can’t.
Many alumni may think they have nothing of value to offer. But whether you’re a recent graduate who is just starting out or you’re a seasoned expert with 50 years of experience, you have more to offer than you may think. Sometimes listening to and understanding a student’s concerns is all it takes.
Your relationship with the University and its students should not end when you graduate. Instead, you can become part of the greater University community—past, present, and future.
I’m inviting you to make a connection to your University by participating in the Mentor Program. Give a few hours of your time. It can be as simple as a telephone conversation or an e-mail, reviewing a resume, providing a network opportunity, or extending an invitation to tour your organization. You can also volunteer for more involved activities such as presenting information for a special class or seminar. The opportunities are endless.
Just get involved. There are lots of ways to inspire young minds. Whether your mentoring activity is a quick phone call or a life-long friendship, you will make a difference when you least expect it.
Fueling the future of discovery
Chemical engineering and materials science Ph.D. graduate student David Rennard amazes a group of middle school students as he ignites methane bubbles during an interactive workshop on fuels and alternative energy. The session was part of a daylong event this fall sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society (ITITAS). About 150 Minnesota students
in grades 4–8 visited the University to learn about energy as they prepare for the LEGOGO League competition. This year’s competition, sponsored
by the local nonprofit group Innovations in Science and Technology Education (INSINSINSciTE), will challenge students to build small robots using LEGOGO technology to demonstrate energy management and conservation.
EWB-USA founder to speak at U
Engineers Without Borders-USA founding president Bernard Amadei will present the next Institute of Technology Public Lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The location on campus will be announced soon.
In his presentation, Amadei will discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with practicing engineering in developing nations. He will also explore the education of engineers through organizations such as EWB-USA, and the importance of integrating engineering with non-engineering disciplines when addressing the needs of developing communities.
Dennis Cronin (Aero ’88, M.O.T. ’06) and his wife Beth were two of about 200 alumni and friends who attended a special Institute of Technology Homecoming event that featured games, prizes, and a performance by the Physics Force. To see more photos, visit www.it.umn.edu/homecoming.
IT Class of ’58
reunion May 9
Graduates in the class of 1958 are invited to reconnect, reminisce, and socialize at a University of Minnesota reunion celebrating 50 years on Friday, May 9, 2008.
As part of the reunion activities, the class of 1958 alumni will be invited to join the academic procession during the 2008 Institute of Technology commencement ceremony.
Watch for more information in the mail in February or March 2008. More information will also be on our Web site at www.it.umn.edu/alumni as details become available.
Chemical engineering and materials science Ph.D. graduate student David Rennard amazes a group of middle school students as he ignites methane bubbles during an interactive workshop on fuels and alternative energy. The session was part of a daylong event this fall sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society (ITITAS). About 150 Minnesota students
in grades 4–8 visited the University to learn about energy as they prepare for the LEGOGO League competition. This year’s competition, sponsored
by the local nonprofit group Innovations in Science and Technology Education (INSINSINSciTE), will challenge students to build small robots using LEGOGO technology to demonstrate energy management and conservation.
