{"id":20970,"date":"2024-01-03T13:04:16","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T18:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/?p=20970"},"modified":"2024-01-04T09:08:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T14:08:16","slug":"blog-mentoring-building-careers-through-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alumni\/2024\/01\/03\/blog-mentoring-building-careers-through-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Mentoring: Building careers through confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted January 2024<\/em><\/p>\n

In support of National Mentoring Month, we’re shining a spotlight on amazing Terrier mentoring stories. If you want to mentor a Terrier, volunteer on BU Connects<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n

Have you ever been asked to describe yourself and suddenly gone completely blank, as if you don\u2019t know who you are? Well, that used to be the case for Patriot Berisha (ENG\u201926)<\/strong>. That is, until he met his mentor, Arun Srinivasan (ENG\u201997, \u201998)<\/strong>, who taught him the art of \u201celevator pitching\u201d himself.<\/p>\n

Arun and Patriot connected through ENG Mentors, a collaborative mentorship program between the College of Engineering and BU Connects. A trained engineer who has worked in core engineering, design, supply chain management, and most recently data analytics and predictive maintenance applications at Collins Aerospace, Arun Srinivasan was inspired by past relationships he had had with his own mentors and decided he wanted to help students figure out who they were in a professional setting. Patriot, a Mechanical Engineering sophomore at BU, on the other hand, wanted to build on himself as a person, professionally and academically.<\/p>\n

The two decided to get to work on these common goals since the first meeting. For Arun, one of the most valuable lessons he could ever teach Patriot was that of putting the story of \u201chim\u201d together. \u201cA large part of what our mentor-mentee relationship has been is to be able to build that story and build that capability within Patriot,\u201d says Arun. Patriot speaks highly of the lesson, crediting Arun\u2019s guidance in building his self-confidence when presenting himself to people. In the past, Patriot might have frozen when asked, \u201cSo, tell me about yourself,\u201d by company recruiters. But now, Patriot has built the skills to confidently walk into career fairs and go for what he wants. Patriot says, \u201c…Now I feel more empowered than anxious. These conversations [with Arun] have really helped me become more confident with myself. And express myself and my strengths to a potential employer.\u201d<\/p>\n

The learning experience has also been reciprocal, as Arun is eager to point out. He says, \u201cI think there’s a tremendous amount of knowledge and different perspectives that one gets from a mentor-mentee relationship. I walk away from every conversation learning something new as well. It’s not just a one-sided thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

A gratifying experience for both, Arun and Patriot are quick to recommend engaging in a mentorship program to their peers. Patriot believes that although some may say they don\u2019t have the time for it, or that they already have their lives all figured out, \u201c…you always need that second opinion, especially from someone who’s already done it. You always need that second opinion to become more aware of how people interact professionally.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the journey of self-discovery and professional growth, the mentorship between Patriot Berisha and Arun Srinivasan has proven to be transformative. \u201cAfter each meeting,\u201d says Patriot, \u201cI have an objective for my career.\u201d What started as a connection through the ENG Mentors program evolved into a partnership where both student and alum have found mutual value. As their mentorship journey concludes, it stands as a testament to the enduring value of mentor-mentee relationships in fostering personal and professional development.<\/p>\n

To learn more about ENG Mentors and get involved, contact the Engineering Career Development Office at engcareers@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Join BU Connects<\/a><\/p>\n

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Have you made a meaningful connection through BU Connects? We want to hear about it!
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