An update from mentee Nana Ankamah

I just wanted to express my appreciation for the program. At the last networking event, I met Kyra Lanchester, and we exchanged contact information. I kept in contact with her, and fortunately enough she was very receptive to my emails and questions about paralegals and the legal field in general. She put me in contact with a co-worker who had a legal assistant background and she was able to answer my questions and relate her experience to me. 

Kyra asked if I would be interested in temporary position at her job, and of course I said yes! So, as of now, I will be working as a temp. at her law firm for two months.  My first week was great, and honestly, her kindness and eagerness to mentor me has renewed my faith in finding a job! Her guidance thus far has been beyond my expectations, and I know this is the beginning of a long mentor-mentee relationship!

I appreciate this program a lot , and I just thought that you should know that, alumnae's like Kyra really do take interest in students who are serious and honest about what they want to gain from this experience. I think my experience speaks for many seniors who have met great Barnard Alumnae's who are willing to take the time out of their busy schedules to mentor their Barnard sisters.

Also, by the way, my mentor Liza Tripp is great as well, and has also given me quite a lot of people to reach out to!

Closing Ceremony Venue Chosen

Barnard Career Development has selected the spot for our Alumnae-to-Student Mentoring Closing Cermony, on Thursday, April 26th from 6-8pm.  The event will be at the Empire Room in the Empire State Building.  I will be reaching out to mentoring pairs shortly to have them speak at the event!







An update from mentoring pair, mentee Helenka Lepkowski Ostrum and mentor Julia Burghi

Mentee Helenka Lepkowski Ostrum
I was very excited when I found out that I was matched with an alumna in the food industry!  It's a lot of fun to talk to someone who is as enthusiastic about food as I am. Julia and I have attended events on campus and also explored places around NYC.  During the first semester we went to the Barnard panel, "What's on Your Plate: The History and Politics of Food".  The panel consisted of an anthropology professor, a biology professor, a history professor, and an english professor. It was interesting to hear how food related to each of their fields of study. Off campus, we have waited in a very long line to get macarons at Laduree and spent an afternoon exploring the MET.  It has been wonderful getting to know a recent Barnard graduate and hearing about all of her jobs and food adventures.  Talking with Julia, I have realized that there are various job opportunities related to the food industry.  I can't wait to explore some more restaurants around NYC with my mentor!

Mentor Julia Burghi
Helenka and I have bonded over a mutual interest in (or, more accurately, obsession with) food and cooking. We have enjoyed attending the program events, a Barnard-sponsored panel on food and globalization, the BC/CU Vagina Monologues, as well as several food outings off-campus. I really enjoy sharing my experiences in the restaurant and hospitality industry with Helekna and it is always exciting to hear about her latest project or meal that she's cooked. I feel lucky to have bee paired with such an industrious and enthusiastic student!