Meet the Mentors Mixer has Something for Everyone

By Magdalena Ledkovsky

Words of the wise echoed in the hallways of the Humanities building lobby. From the electrical engineer of the Twin Towers to accomplished attorneys, the “Meet the Mentors Mixer” had a little bit of everything for everyone.

Students and mentors connecting. (Photo by Magdalena Ledkovsky)

 Department of Labor statistics show the unemployment rate for recent college graduates has climbed to 5.6% in New York State and is projected to continue rising. Many graduates are facing the harsh reality that a degree alone does not guarantee employment. In this climate, creating connections and networking with those who have navigated a specific field has become more than an upscale LinkedIn accessory; they have become a career necessity.

“Your parents want you to have a job,” said Victor Metsch, an attorney, mentor and Broadview resident. “The key to getting a job is having an internship, the key to getting an internship is having a mentor and the key to getting a mentor is meeting people.”

 Unfortunately, student attendance wavered greatly. Broadview mentors explained their slight disappointment in the two-to-one mentor-to-student ratio. Approximately 50 mentors attended compared to a count of 25 students.

 Michelle Spino photographing mentors and PSGA members. (Photo by Magdalena Ledkovsky)

 “It was good for our case,” said Nyla Goodyear, a senior communications student. “We got to get a piece of everybody.”

A potential win for the students who did attend, and a sure-fire letdown for the knowledgeable mentors who yearn to share their knowledge and experiences.

Alongside the department of alumni relations and annual giving, the career development center and the PSGA, lots of hard work went into organizing this social evening.

“It was very cultural, very eventful,” said Mabarak Alcantara, a junior screenwriting and playwriting major. “I’m connecting with everybody here.”

Tables were lined with sweet and savory treats, along with beverage options and opportunities to learn something new.

Students came and went, but the mentors stayed, waiting patiently to deliver their endless advice to the young minds of today.

“I think it might be because of the weather,” said Jahmari Bradshaw, a senior communications major and intern for the Career Development Center. “Not a lot of people feel like going outside, and maybe some of them are stuck in class.”

Purchase College has an enrollment size of 3,330 undergraduate students, but only 25 attended.

“The number one and number two reasons people chose Broadview is because it's on campus,” said David Kellogg, a Broadview resident and lifelong journalism, communications and publishing expert. “There are a lot of people who are accomplished in a wide variety of professions, and they want to help and share.”

Every mentor emphasized the importance of creating strong connections with experienced professionals before, during, and after completing an undergraduate degree.

“We’re working on updating our mentorship platform,” said Michelle Spino, associate director of alumni relations and annual giving. “We’re trying to get more students…that is our biggest challenge.”

 Nyla Goodyear and a PSGA Volunteer. (Photo by Magdalena Ledkovsky)

The online mentorship platform is a networking tool for students, run by the Career Development Center with help from people like Spino. It creates an opportunity for Purchase students to connect with Purchase alumni and Broadview residents with experience in specific fields.

Mentor Victor Metsch and his wife, Bonnie. (Photo by Magdalena Ledkovsky)

Events like the “Meet the Mentors Mixer” are an opportunity for students to make connections and learn about what their career field has to offer. Mentors urge students to reach out if they want to get ahead.

“We need to encourage more contact between the students and Broadview,” said Metsch. “We need more opportunities to share our experiences to make sure people are on the right track.”