CSM’s Rise Mentor Program Connects Students with Alumni for Career Advice

As a biology major with a business minor, Lyna Truong was looking for career options that didn’t include becoming a doctor.

“I didn’t even know where to start,” the junior from Colorado Springs, Colo., said. “Most people think you will be pre-med if you have a biology degree. Not exactly. But I didn’t have any guidance.”

That’s when Katty Petak, senior director of alumni relations, suggested she join College of Saint Mary’s Rise Mentor Program. Now in its fourth year, the program connects CSM juniors and seniors with alumni in their fields of interest. It has grown from its inaugural cohort of 20 mentors and mentees to 50.

Truong was paired with Connie Siffring, a 1974 graduate who earned a degree in health information management. The mentor and mentee meet monthly over the phone, and they text each other regularly. Siffring often sends Truong helpful articles and job shadow opportunities.

“She’s been helping me narrow it down,” Truong said. “If it’s not this path, maybe it’s this one. Just a bunch of different options that I didn’t know existed. It’s just so helpful.”

Grace Werner, a senior business major with a minor in chemistry, joined the mentor program at the beginning of her junior year after hearing from previous students about how it helped them determine what career they wanted to pursue.

“It’s another person to give me feedback on possible paths to take out of college,” said Werner, who was paired with Carol Evans, a 1967 graduate with a degree in chemistry. “She’s awesome.”

The pair set up hour-long monthly Zoom sessions and talk frequently. Werner has an internship in communications with the Metropolitan Utilities District. While business isn’t Evans’ expertise, they have discussed Werner’s previous work at a wastewater treatment plant.

“She helped me realize that I have comfort in that, so if I go work for a place like MUD, I’d be able to apply both my major and my minor,” said Werner, who is hoping to find a position in MUD’s chemistry lab. “We’ve been conversing a lot about that. I’ve been talking about career opportunities once I’m done with school. She has a lot of good advice.”

Werner said her relationship with Evans has grown over the last year and a half. While they used to talk about school, now they talk about life.

“She keeps up with what’s going on with me and me with her,” she said. “It’s like a grandmother-granddaughter relationship, very tight-knit.”

Werner and Truong believe the mentor program offers a unique opportunity for students and have recommended it to their friends and classmates.

“It’s great being able to relate to someone who went through the same process you’re doing and someone who’s able to answer any questions along the way if you don’t want to go to a professor or another student,” Werner said. “It’s another outlet for that.”

“I would recommend it 1,000 percent,” Truong added. “It’s another resource. Having a mentor doesn’t mean you’re lacking in something. It’s nice having someone to personally help me.”