Over the past several months during their regular calls, Michele has helped Cella better understand herself and the different paths she could take professionally as a chemistry student. Cella says “Even with our short time together, I feel that we have really bonded as mentor and mentee. She has been working with me to research careers that are possible with a degree in chemistry, as well as the industries that suit my interests and personality.”

Michele invited Cella to visit her office and learn more about the careers and journeys of the people that work with her. In addition, Michele connected Cella with a former colleague in the private sector which led to a potential internship opportunity. Looking forward, Cella shares “I am extremely excited to see where our work in the mentor program leads. It has been a completely rewarding experience to have a mentor helping to guide me throughout the journey I am just beginning at UCLA.”

Thank you, Michele and Cella, for sharing your mentorship experience!

Meeting frequently in person and talking over the phone, Christine and Kyle have formed a strong and productive mentorship. At the beginning of this year, Christine helped Kyle form the first Themed Entertainment Association branch at UCLA, an organization dedicated to helping students explore and network in the themed entertainment industry. “As an innovator, designer, scholar, mentor, role model and friend, I am so blessed to have Christine in my life.”

Thank you, Christine, for being a standout alumni mentor!

Antonio Moya is mentoring three students this year. He is currently doing his neurology residency at NewYork – Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and earned his bachelor's degree in neuroscience from UCLA in 2008.

Thank you Julia for nominating your mentor, Antonio!

Recently, Natasha has set up contacts for me to have conversations over the phone and find out more about the role of a project manager. She is wonderful and is always making sure that her mentees are in contact with the right people to ask questions." - Sam Herman, third year chemistry major.

Natasha Shah is mentoring two students this year. She is the global marketing lead at Amgen and earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from UCLA in 1994.

Thank you Sam for nominating your mentor, Natasha!

"Earlier this year when I applied for a summer internship at Disney Imagineering, Daniel helped me with my application, talked me through interview points, and even contacted my interviewer to put in a good word.

"He went even further to introduce me to the head researcher of an extraordinary lab here at UCLA which he had worked at and thought I might be interested in. Daniel is everything and more I could ever ask for in a mentor, and with him I’ve been able to pursue some of my greatest dreams." - Nolan Gunsolley, third year engineering major.

Daniel Baker is mentoring two students this year and has been a dedicated mentor to multiple students in previous years as well. He is a producer at Walt Disney Imagineering and earned a bachelor's degree from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television in 2008.

Thank you Nolan for nominating your mentor, Daniel!

She clearly cares about my growth as a person, helping me create a study schedule for the MCAT and reminding me to enjoy all that UCLA has to offer during my final year. I am thrilled to have such an inspirational, supportive and fun mentor!"

Thank you Caroline for sharing your mentorship experience and nominating your mentor, Dolly.

Ty and Craig exclusively connected through email where they maintained frequent communication and spoke about traveling, applying to grad school, Ty’s involvement in the State Department’s Virtual Foreign Service Internship program, and upcoming summer plans.

Nathan and Craig started out connecting over email, but through happenstance, Nathan was accepted to the UCDC program and was able to meet with Craig in person. Nathan and Craig saw each other frequently to discuss Nathan’s interests, academic papers, and his internship on Capitol Hill, and have spent time at a few D.C. hot spots.

“Although a challenge to maintain relationships through email, it actually has worked out much easier because all of us have such hectic schedules,” says Craig, “I’m looking forward to seeing where these two intelligent guys end up.”

“The highlights of the mentorship, for me, have been every time that John and I meet in person. He offers a really helpful perspective on all things UCLA, and he’s taught me a lot about important soft skills like dressing and communicating professionally.”

John Masline ’13 and Nick Versaci were winners of the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program Campus Scavenger Hunt.

When asked about her experience, Nikki had this to say:

“I came into UCLA extremely overwhelmed and nervous and Tyler was one of the first people I connected with. Thanks to him, I feel so much more calm and collected now. He has provided me with a vast amount of advice and support, with everything from reading over my clinical applications to helping me with my research resume. It’s always inspirational to talk to him, because whenever I contact him, he’s always doing something new, whether it’s running half marathons, publishing cookbooks, or getting into medical school! I honestly feel like I aspire to be more and more like him every day and I’m so grateful to have his presence and influence in my life!”

Tyler mentioned that the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program has been a wonderful way for him to remain connected to UCLA’s campus while continuing on his legacy through his mentees!

Fanny requested Marian as her mentor as a result of being a student in Marian’s Literature and Intensive Writing course during the AAP Transfer Summer Program in 2013. Their connection evolved quite organically. Marian says, “Fanny (was) interested in pursuing a graduate degree in either Creative Writing or English. Since I earned a PhD in Comparative Literature, I have been able to guide Fanny through the research, application, and scholarship process.”

Irene describes the benefits of having Niloofar as her mentor:

“Being in the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program has been a tremendously rewarding and fun experience, and has given me the chance to learn about the real-word and get great advice from my mentor.”

“I am a graduating senior this year who is joining Teach for America in Baltimore after graduation. However, although I am excited about this opportunity, I had also expressed that I was a little bit nervous when speaking with Jonathan. As a result, Jonathan introduced me to one of his friends, Jeff, (a UCLA alumnus that had been a part of the 2010 Teach for America Corps in Baltimore). I was able to ask Jeff about any extra questions I had about the program and it is because of that interaction that I feel much more confident about moving to the other side of the country. Furthermore, Jeff was even able to connect me to another UCLA alumna who is currently doing Teach for America in LA; giving me the opportunity to shadow her for a day, get my feet wet, and see for myself what I can expect during my next two years.”

Tips I've learned from Dr. Strahs:

1. Always treat your patients with the max amount of kindness.
2. Keep exercising so you can continue your passion as long as YOU want.
3. Take diligent notes on staff/patient communication and your own work.
4. Look at your patient as a WHOLE and then focus on the reason for their visit, you may just miss an important diagnosis. Thank you, Dr. Strahs!"

Thank you, Angela, for sharing your mentorship experience and expressing your deep appreciation for your alumni mentor.

"Since she lives in San Francisco, most of our conversations have been over the phone - yet she always makes time for me, helps me grow professionally and gain confidence in myself.”

It has been a gratifying experience for Linda as well. "I enjoy all of my discussions with Talia, from basic thoughts about career options, to resume help, to assisting in the preparation of summer internship interviews.” What surprised both Linda and Talia about their mentorship was the added benefit of developing a friendship and mutual respect for one another.

Linda shared her advice on how to have a successful mentorship. "Keep an open mind and be flexible, in order to take the relationship wherever it might go. Commit to the experience and be sure to make time between conversations to work on goals and next steps." Talia added, “Make the time to listen and be flexible with the advice you are given. Most importantly, use the advice to grow and always communicate clearly so that you can be helped effectively.”

Linda is the chief financial officer and principal at Gensler and earned an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management in 1982. Talia is a third-year economics major.

"Alexa always has a smile on her face and is up for meeting anytime, anywhere and with anyone - a key characteristic of a great networker who will undoubtedly be successful in the music industry! She's well on her way to a thriving professional career when she graduates from UCLA this spring. I'm excited to be part of her journey."

Dara Lynne Gelbtuch is mentoring three students (undergraduate and graduate) this year and has been a dedicated mentor to multiple students in previous years as well. She is an attorney at Spotify and earned a bachelor's degree in business music industry (an individually designed major) from UCLA in 2004.

"As a director of UCLA's Chapter for Kids in Nutrition, she has shown to be capable and caring for communities and causes outside of the classroom. Haripriya and I are working on a roadmap to creating her own social enterprise to empower women in India, since her passion is to give back to others who are not as privileged as we are. I am certain that we will succeed in achieving her dreams together. Thank you, UCLA, for the opportunity to match mentors and students who can together create a path to success and make an impact."

Thank you Misha for nominating Haripriya and sharing your mentor experience.

"She is a committee member and attends weekly meetings that focus on learning more about investment banking and will most likely switch to the consulting committee soon. Additionally, she is on the UCLA club running team."

Kristine shares her appreciation for her mentor, “Jaime has been an exceptional mentor. She has given me insights into the environmental industry and even helped me gain first-hand experience by allowing me to complete a couple of small projects for her company. I look forward to continuing to learn from her!”

"As a Lemelson Anthropological Honors Program Scholar, current participant in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, and graduate of the Undergraduate Research Fellows Program, Conor has conducted extensive fieldwork in Cuba on Afro-Cuban religion. He’s also served as an editor of the Aleph research journal, contributed to publications like the Daily Bruin, and founded the Modern Ethnography Initiative at UCLA. This May, Conor is producing a photography exhibition showcasing work from students who have conducted research abroad. With just one more quarter until graduation, Conor is more than ready to embark on his career. Conor is an exceptional student and person, and I am thrilled to be mentoring someone who exemplifies what it means to be a Bruin!"