e-Mentoring Testimonials

"I continue to be a Mentor each year through MentorNet. Not only does it allow me to support a new engineer, but it also keeps me fresh in my viewpoints and understandings. As always a mentoring relationship is a win-win for both the mentee & the mentor!"

Pam Bogdan, Enterprise IT Account Manager, AT&T Enterprise IT

"I have been with MentorNet for 4-5 years and had about the same number of protégées – all remarkable young women.

A couple were just starting in their program and were as lost as anyone could be...As I can certainly relate to that, it was a great experience to share with them the big picture as well as small and important details for everyday school life.

...One was overwhelmed with family, full-time job, the school work, and – I found later on – even physical problems. I was delighted to be able to encourage her and point to the end of the tunnel – she finished her degree shortly afterwards and went on to get an even better job she loved.

My most recent protégée is a most delightful and smart young woman in her senior year of CS. It was a joy to exchange opinions with her concerning her school work and be able to give her guidance about choosing the best grad school. She is now indeed a grad student and will be an excellent professional in due time, I am sure.

Overall, I was amazed how dedicated and hard working all these women were, interested in their studies and eager to make a difference afterwards. It was really a pleasure for me to interact with them all."

Cristina Serban, Lead Member of Technical Staff, AT&T Security Organization

"Joining MentorNet is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. It was through MentorNet I met my most wonderful mentor Mary Fernandez in 2003, right when I started my Ph.D study. Doctoral study can be a hard journey, full with uncertainty and frustration. However, with Mary’s encouragement and guidance, the journey became an amazingly rewarding experience for me to discover my own passion and dream. Now, as I became a mentor myself, Mary remains my inspiration and role model."

Yunyao Li, Research Staff Member, IBM Almaden Research Center

"I have had a very successful mentoring relationship with a grad student at the University of Colorado... We really connected and I went far beyond the Mentornet protocol in that we spoke on the phone and talked about curriculum in telecommunications. I reviewed his resume and suggested edits. Because of ... my awareness of IMS as an important technology, I strongly suggested he needed to study this."

Christine Sorenson, Lead Member of Technical Staff, AT&T Architecture

"Having followed the advice and generous help from people like you and with my god's grace, I have finally got a job. :) Yes, you heard me. I have got a full-time job...I will not fail to emphasize how critical your role was in this endeavor of mine. I whole heartedly thank you for helping me..."

Christine Sorenson's protégée

"I have been incredibly lucky to have a MentorNet mentor while I was applying for PhD. Among many other things, she helped me with my application by telling me her opinion on the universities I was considering and giving me tremendous advice on improving my Statement of Purpose. It is always reassuring to talk to somebody who is working in the same field and faced similar problems in their early career. I encouraged many of my friends to join MentorNet and I encourage you to do the same. It will have a positive impact on you at both a personal and a professional level."

Ovidiu Dan, WUME Lab, Lehigh University

"I joined mentoring program in my last years at the university. I knew my first mentor Jim for a year. He was open to discuss very different issues. We didn’t talk only about computer science but whatever I was interested in and troubled by at that time. My second mentor, Mary, was very helpful when I was about to graduate. She reviewed my resume and we talked over email and phone about applications for employment. I never met Jim nor Mary in person but I felt that I got to know them and contact with them greatly complemented my university education. They gave me a better perspective on computer science at workplace and other issues we discussed."

Anonymous