IBIT mentoring program
This past spring semester I was lucky enough to endure the role of mentee in the IBIT mentoring program. My mentor was Sondra Barbour, a graduate of Temple University, who has worked with her previous company for 30 years eventually reaching the title of Vice President.
I was appreciative of Sondra in many different ways, we met over Google Meets three times on February 22nd, March 25th, and April 18th. During the first meeting we discussed my busy schedule and how at first that it is manageable but as I go through school I have to find specific things/skills of interests that I should focus on. She shared her work experience and how she was able to fit many roles in the previous company she worked for and how she was grateful for that experience.
During our second meeting, we took it more of an update throughout the semester. I spoke about the schoolwork that I have and other projects that I was working on. She advised on choosing fun electives for a future semester and taking the opportunity to find passion through some of those. We also discussed summer internships and even though I didn’t have one the fact that I was working shows a good sign. Sondra talked about how internships help you find what you like and what you don’t like which is just as important.
For our third meeting, it was more of a final send-off meeting where she advised applying for internships for the summer in the upcoming fall semester. As well I mentioned I was studying abroad in the fall and she was truly passionate about that and suggested I travel as much as I can and take up every opportunity.
The experience as a whole was an outlet for advice from a perspective who has been in the workforce for many years. I was able to learn about her journey with an MIS degree and her way of balancing life and work. I was truly amazed to learn from someone so talented and successful. I admire Sondra for all she has done, and she has inspired me in many different ways. I would suggest the IBIT program to any of my fellow classmates as it was a way to learn and connect to alumni and outside workers.