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Real Talk: A UGA Mentor Program Podcast
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Real Talk: A UGA Mentor Program Podcast

Author: UGA Mentor Program

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Has the transition to UGA felt overwhelming? Are you not sure how to get involved or what to get involved in on campus? Should you enter the workforce or go to graduate school? These are all questions you may need help answering. We’ll help you have real conversations with UGA alumni, faculty or staff who have been in your shoes in order to help you explore answers to your questions.The UGA Mentor Program presents Real Talk, a podcast series featuring authentic conversations between UGA students and mentors on topics that are pressing to students around work, life, school and career. Listen to the types of conversations that you could have with a UGA mentor here. Are you a UGA student or alumni, faculty or staff? Sign up for the UGA Mentor Program at mentor.uga.edu! Start your mentoring conversation today!
28 Episodes
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Time Management

Time Management

2023-07-1221:48

In this episode, our guest Melissa Earl (BBA '14), a UGA alumni mentor, shares her expertise on time management and being more productive with your schedule. She talks about the importance of accountability and how having a system to track your progress can help you stay on track and achieve your goals.Melissa also emphasizes the significance of prioritization, explaining how to identify your most important tasks and allocate your time accordingly. In addition, Melissa addresses the common challenge of procrastination and offers insights into why we procrastinate and how to overcome it. She provides strategies for getting started on tasks and staying motivated.Whether you're a student, professional, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice to help you manage your time more effectively and be in control of your schedule. Tune in and learn how to optimize your productivity and achieve your goals!Melissa is a 2014 Terry College of Business Economics and Music Business graduate. In 2018, she earned a Master of Arts in Economics and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver.  She has worked in international development and applied microeconomics with USAID, UN Agencies, and international NGOs. She most recently lived in Kenya as a research analyst for Kimetrica.For more information about the UGA Mentor Program, visit mentor.uga.edu. 
Are you considering pursuing a graduate or professional degree?  UGA Alumni Mentors Mary Catherine Meno (AB '21) and Will Panter (BMUS '21) share their insights on how to navigate graduate and professional school successfully. As recent graduates, they provide a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities that graduate school presents, and offer practical tips on topics such as time management, networking, building relationships, and selecting the best graduate program for your needs and interests.Mary Catherine Meno is a December 2021 UGA graduate. She studied Cognitive Science, Psychology, and Computer Science. After graduating, she worked with Truist as an Experience Design Graduate Research Intern. She is now pursuing a Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design at the University of Washington.Will Panter received his Music Education degree from UGA in May 2021. He worked as an Assistant Director of Bands at South Effingham Middle School before beginning his Master of Music Conducting degree at Wester Michigan University.  Whether you're considering applying to graduate school or currently navigating the coursework and demands of a graduate program, this episode has something for you. For more information about the UGA Mentor Program, visit mentor.uga.edu. 
You're about to graduate, you landed a job, and now you have to prepare to leave UGA. But what does that entail? UGA alumni mentor Loren Klein (MS '22) sheds light on preparing for life after college and how to tackle challenges post-graduation. Loren Klein is a 2022 graduate. She earned her masters in Food Science and a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship. She currently serves as a R&D Food Scientist for PepsiCo. For more information about the UGA Mentor Program, visit mentor.uga.edu. 
Lessons in Leadership

Lessons in Leadership

2023-04-0536:51

Looking to serve others through leadership? Learn from UGA alumni mentor Quinn Shelt (BA '22) and UGA Mentor Program Ambassador Nikita Shah (BS '23) as they discuss their leadership philosophies and the challenges and rewards of being a leader.Quinn Shelt studied Political Science and Communication Studies while a student at UGA. She graduated in May 2022. As a student she was involved with the Alzheimer's Association, Clarke County Mentors at UGA, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and University Judiciary. She now serves as a Community Educator and Advocate for the Alzheimer's Association.For more information about the UGA Mentor Program, visit mentor.uga.edu. 
Let's get real. It's hard to say no. There are a lot of opportunities out there and ways to get involved on and off campus. But often we find ourselves burned out, overworked, and overcommitted. In this Real Talk: A UGA Mentor Program Podcast episode, we speak with UGA alumni mentors Jigisha Pardanani (BBA '02) and Ben Lewis (BBA '21) about overcommitment and what to do when you find yourself with one too many things on your plate. ​ Tune in to learn ways to help discover your boundaries and manageyour commitments. Jigisha Pardanani is a 2002 UGA grad. She studied Finance and Biology as a student at UGA. She later earned a Masters in Science in Accounting from the University of Virginia. Today, she works at Ally as a Privacy Compliance Director.Ben Lewis graduated from UGA in 2021 with a BBA in Finance from the Terry College of Business. He currently serves as an Execution Manager at Stonehill.For more information about the UGA Mentor Program or to connect with either of these mentors, visit mentor.uga.edu. 
You you've got to do it, but sometimes it's daunting to put yourself out there. UGA alumni mentor (and previous mentee) Jessica Tardy (BA '22, BS '22) and UGA alumni mentor Sloan Lewandoski (A.B. '22) help to demystify the process of networking and conducting informational interviews. They share important tools that can help you build your network and develop vital skills for those quick chats with professionals.Sloan is currently serving as a Marketing Operations Senior Specialist for Comcast in Denver, Colorado. There she also serves as the President for the Colorado Dawgs Chapter. At UGA, she studied Communication Studies and Music Business. Sloan has worked in a number of other marketing and consulting roles for companies such as Warner Media, UPtv, and Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services.  Jessica is a recent UGA grad. She studied Economics, Psychology, and Entrepreneurship. She currently works at FLEETCOR Technologies as a Product Analyst.For more information about the UGA Mentor Program or to connect with either of these mentors, visit mentor.uga.edu. 
If you're struggling financially as a student in college, you are not alone. UGA alumni Elena Krasovskaia (MS '21) and Kazi Rahman (BBA '17) join us to discuss their experiences at UGA while navigating financial insecurities. They share their stories and struggles as well as provide tips on how to make the most of your time as a student at UGA while living frugally. If you are facing financial insecurities, you can reach out to Student Care and Outreach or Financial Aid to learn more about resources and opportunities available to you.For more information about the UGA Mentor Program, visit mentor.uga.edu, and get started in discovering a mentor who can help guide you along your journey at UGA.
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

2023-02-1648:27

UGA students, alumni, faculty and staff are creative and innovative people! In this episode, we're taking on the start-up and talking entrepreneurship.UGA Mentor Program Ambassador Ben Kemp (BA '22 & MS '23) and UGA alumni mentor John Longino (BBA '73, MBA '76 & JD '76) discuss best practices for starting your own business and the many rewards of being an entrepreneur. John has earned three degrees from the University of Georgia. He studied finance, real estate and law. He had a long and fruitful career as a trial and transactional lawyer. He is now retried.For information about the UGA Mentor Program or how to connect with a mentor, visit mentor.uga.edu.
Happy National Mentoring Month! We're starting the year off with a mentorship story featuring UGA mentee Moira La Fuente (BS '24) and her mentor Melissa Adomako (BS '13). They share how their mentorship has impacted their lives and the tremendous benefits of being able to connect with someone they can relate to on being and having been an international student. Melissa studied Biology as a student at UGA. She later earned a Master of Public Health degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She now serves as  the Regional Officer for Europe, Southern Africa, and Multilateral Affairs for the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases.You can read more about their story here or find out more information on the UGA Mentor Program at mentor.uga.edu.
In this episode, we explore transitioning to the "real world," what you need to know, and how best to prepare for the leap from student to life after college. UGA alumni mentor Brendon Mack (BSCE '17) discusses what to prepare for when you first transition from school to the workplace. He shares his experiences on moving, considerations on getting a pet, relationships at work, budgeting, and how to make friends and find community. Since joining us for this episode, Brendon now works as a Bridge Design Associate Engineer for Gresham Smith. He received his bachelor in Civil Engineering from the College of Engineering in 2017. Brendon currently serves as an Alumni Board Member for the College of Engineering. For information about the UGA Mentor Program or how to connect with a mentor, visit mentor.uga.edu.
We bring you this special episode on National Mentoring Day! In honor of the day and the season, the UGA Mentor Program wants to debunk the myth that mentorship can be scary.We interviewed UGA mentee Sahar Joshi (AB & AB '24) and her mentor Will Caplan (BA '16)  about their mentorship and their fears around beginning the mentee-mentor relationship. Sahar is a third-year student double majoring in International Affairs & Religion. Will Caplan studied International Affairs, Political Science, and Communication Studies as a student at UGA. In 2018, he graduated from Georgetown University with a master's in Security Studies. Will now serves as a Senior Wargaming Analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton. If you're interested in learning more about the UGA Mentor Program, visit mentor.uga.edu.
It seems unattainable, but we all want it--the ability to balance our lives and the many competing responsibilities that come along with work, school, and life.UGA Mentee and UMP Ambassador Paige Searles (AB '24) and UGA Mentor and alumna Shayla Hill (BBA '08) discuss what it means to "balance" your life with the demands of work and school. They share helpful tips on time management and taking care of yourself among life's many obligations.Shayla Hill is a 2008 Terry College of Business Marketing graduate. She was recently named to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2022.  She currently serves as a Senior Design Program Manager at MongoDB. Shayla has over eleven years of progressive digital marketing experience. For more information on the UGA Mentor Program, visit mentor.uga.edu.
UGA Mentee and Mentor Program Ambassador Arianna Romero (BBA '22) and UGA Mentor and alumna Jenn Kauffman (ABJ '05) join us to discuss their experiences at UGA as former and current Hispanic/Latinx students. We dive into their journeys to UGA, the intersectionality of their identities, and how their involvement on campus contributed to where they are today. Jenn Kauffman graduated from the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication with a degree in  Public Relations and a minor in Political Science. She recently completed her Master of Science in Labor Studies at the University of Massachusetts. She has served in various communications and PR roles, from Field Communications Director, Senior Vice President, Political Director, and Chief Community Officer to her current role as Communications & Partnerships Advisor at State Revenue Alliance. You can connect with Jenn and other UGA mentors at mentor.uga.edu.
In this episode, UGA mentee Nallely Lepiz Madrigal (BSES '23) and UGA mentor and alumna Samantha Siragusa (BSES '19 & MNR '20) discuss their mentoring relationship, how their passions align, applying to graduate school, and their views on the environment and sustainability industry.Samantha studied Environmental Economics and Management, Ecology, and Sustainability during her undergraduate collegiate career. In graduate school, she pursued a Master of Natural Resources with an emphasis in Policy & Sustainability. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Sustainability & Conservation Culture Task Force and Environmental Educator at the Georgia Aquarium.You can connect with Samantha and other UGA mentors at mentor.uga.edu.
Meet the Mentor Lab

Meet the Mentor Lab

2022-08-3024:24

Who are the ladies behind the lab? Meet the UGA Mentor Program team (AKA the Mentor Lab). This terrific trio shares how they came to be, their most impactful mentoring moments, what they wish you knew about the UGA Mentor Program but might not, and more!  Featuring:Dr. Bethany Blumenshine (MEd '17 & EdD '22), Director of the UGA Mentor ProgramCamryn Chiu (BSW '21), Program Coordinator, UGA Mentor ProgramDestiny Loyd (AB '17, MS '18), Senior Program Coordinator, UGA Mentor Program You can visit mentor.uga.edu to learn more about the UGA Mentor Program.
We're giving you an inside look into what a UGA Mentor Program mentorship looks like. In this episode, we've invited UGA student Jacob McMillan and his UGA mentor, Ben Goldklang, to discuss the details of their mentorship. We dive into networking tips, reframing failures, and how to make the most of your mentorship and your college experience.Jacob McMillan is a junior studying management in the Terry College of Business (BBA '23). His mentor, Ben Goldklang (BBA '20), is a Terry College of Business alum who studied management while a UGA student. Ben currently serves as a Vehicle Export Specialist for Capital Logistics, LLC in Queens, New York. 
Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence

2022-04-0540:06

UGA Mentor Program Ambassador Cassie Turner (BBA '22) and UGA alumni mentors Ekta Gaur (BS & AB '06) and Dr. Brian Berger (AB '08, MS '10, Ph.D. '13) discuss emotional intelligence and what it means, how to have it, and how to recognize it. During this conversation, you'll gain interview tips, ways to address conflict in the workplace, and steps to keep learning about your emotional intelligence.  Ekta serves as the Organizational Change Manager at Capgemini Invent. She has over ten years of consulting experience offering global end-to-end transformations from strategy and design to operations management and engineering powered by technology. Additionally, she has experience working in risk mitigation, people management, and product development. She's eager to help students with the job/internship search process, work-life balance, transitioning to life after college, and much more!Brian currently works at Delta Air Lines as a Manger of their OmniChannel and Upsell Analytics team. He previously worked in the Sports Media Industry after leaving UGA. He ran analytics within the Business Unit for B/R Live, Turner Sports' Direct to Consumer Sports Offering. Brian also teaches part-time at Georgia State. He loves to help students become the employee that companies cannot work without vs. the employee that companies can work with.
We're giving you an inside look into what a UGA Mentor Program mentorship looks like. In this episode, we've invited UGA student Camila Daffre and her UGA mentor, Aaron Stafford, to discuss the details of their mentorship. Camila Daffre is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering with a minor in communications (BSME '24). Her mentor, Aaron Stafford (BSME '19), is a College of Engineering alum who studied mechanical engineering while a UGA student. Aaron currently serves as an Operations & Utilization Analyst for Mercedes-Benz USA and previously worked for Accurus Aerospace Corporation.
UGA Mentor Program Ambassador, Cassie Turner (BBA ‘22), and UGA alum and mentor, Dr. Scott Frasard (BBA '03, MED '06, PhD ‘11), discuss what it means to be neurodivergent and to seek accommodations at school and in the workplace. Dr. Scott Frasard has earned three degrees from the University of Georgia. His first degree was in general business from Terry College in 2004. He then earned a Master's of Education and later completed his Ph.D. in Adult Education in 2011.  Scott currently serves as a senior credential developer and psychometrician at Salesforce and is an adult educator in Austin, Texas. His career experience spans working in government, academic, and corporate organizations, in local, national, and international settings.
UGA student and mentee in the UGA Mentor Program, Eric Li (BBA ‘22) and UGA alum and mentor, Dr. Ruth Wangia Dixon (PhD ‘20), discuss their experiences as international students at UGA.  Eric grew up in Beijing, China. At UGA, he studies marketing and risk management and insurance in the Terry College of Business. He is a Public Service and Outreach Student Scholar, served as director of community operation for the student organization, Xunxiang, which helps international students explore career directions and possibilities. Eric has also served as a campus leader for International Family Union, an NGO within the U.S. that serves international students. In 2019, Eric was an Orientation World Leader for the department of International Student Life at UGA.  Dr. Ruth Wangia Dixon grew up in Kenya. She began her studies in the U.S. at Spelman College, where she completed her bachelor’s in environmental sciences. In May 2020, she completed her doctorate in environmental health with a certificate in global health from UGA’s College of Public Health.  After graduating, Dr. Dixon worked at WDD Biomedical Consultants as a medical writer and reviewer. She currently serves as a senior researcher of health economics and outcomes research at Optum and is also engaged in an intensive, experiential learning experience through the Harvard Medical School Executive Education program. Stay tuned to the end for a brief conversation about telehealth and experiences working in the healthcare field.
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