Reader Family Industry Mentor Program

Program Overview and Mission

Manning School of Business undergraduate students, including Bachelor's to Master's (B2M), are invited to participate in the Reader Family Industry Mentor Program at UMass Lowell.

The Reader Family Industry Mentor Program offers intentional mentorship for students by pairing them with industry partners and alumni.

• Students will build professional relationships and networks as they receive insight and advice related to professional, academic and personal success.
• Mentors will assist students in the transition from academic to professional life and support their personal success at UMass Lowell and as they explore early career opportunities.

By connecting with professionals in the workplace, students will accelerate their growth as they navigate career possibilities.

To learn more about the origins of the Reader Family Industry Mentor Program, read: Ripple Effect: Readers Establish Mentorship Program at Manning School.

Expectations

The mentor and mentee connect for at least (1) hour per month. This meeting may be over Zoom / Microsoft Teams, a phone call or in-person.

The program typically runs from September / October to April / May. At that point, mentors and mentees can either decide to leave the program or opt in for another/different match the following year. This allows mentors and mentees the ability to engage with more students/industry professionals.

Learning Objectives

By the end of a mentorship cycle, mentors and mentees should have completed:

• Connecting and Self-Exploration
• Majors, Minors, Clubs and Skills
• Career Exploration
• Create a Resume and Cover Letter
• Create and Optimize LinkedIn
• Practice Your Elevator Pitch
• Job Search and Shadow Opportunities
• Interview Prep and Professionalism

"The mentorship program became an opportunity at a time I really needed a mentor. It was something I had been seeking for a while, and it has already opened so many doors."

– Quinn O’Brien '26, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Administration: Management with a minor in Psychology

"My mentor pushes me to the next level - he follows up, holds me accountable, and his guidance has sharpened my work ethic and confidence."

– Dhruv Shenoy '28, B.A. in Business Administration: Accounting and Finance

"I was hoping to learn more about the field and connect with people. She also introduced me to her son-in-law, and he works in supply chain, so I'm having an interview with him soon to learn more about the supply chain and procurement field."

– Mercy Reynoso Germosen '27, B.A in Business Administration: Accounting and International Business

"Ed told me this thing that will stick with me forever. Focus on your personal algorithm when meeting someone. You're personal algorithm is what identifies you, what makes you who you are, those experiences you've had, your life story, and what distinguishes you from the rest. Sharing your personal algorithm is the most important part of yourself when building your network at any point in life."

– Diego Carrero '27, B.A in Business Administration: Finance

"Lindsey helped me build my networking skills and gave me the confidence to build meaningful connections. Her career directly aligns with a future I see for myself. "

– Meghan Dearing '26, B.A in Business Administration: Management and Marketing

"One moment from this pilot program that really stayed with me was learning that my mentor, Francis, had a very similar background to mine. Hearing his story as a first-generation student and seeing how he stepped into a field that was unfamiliar to his family, yet still succeeded, was extremely motivating for me. Seeing someone with a similar background make it professionally made my goals feel more achievable. It showed me that I could pursue opportunities outside of what I’ve traditionally seen around me and still succeed. That experience gave me more confidence, ambition, and motivation to keep pushing toward my own goals."

– Joyce Nabagereka '26, B.A in Business Administration: Management and Marketing

"Having the right perspective can be the difference between seeing a setback as a dead end or a launch pad. Having a mentor who is an industry professional allows you to unlock new perspectives and tap into their experiences. This is the single most valuable thing you can do as a young professional, and I would recommend anyone and everyone to join this program."

– Srinivas Kagalkar '27, B.A in Business Administration: Analytics and Operations Management & Marketing

"This program was a great experience, it gave me an opportunity to talk with a professional about uncertainties in my concentrations. My mentor really helped open my eyes on a few things and look at things from a different view point."

– Nehemie Lucien '27, B.A in Business Administration: Accounting & Entrepreneurship

"At the beginning of this program I was struggling to figure out what my job would actually be like when I get out of college. Once I was introduced to my mentor he showed me a whole new world of things I could improve on or change to really stick out when applying for internships, jobs or even just growing my network. Without this program I feel like I wouldn’t be surrounded with such great people that are genuinely here to help you and see you grow into something amazing."  

– Aiden Bancroft '29, B.A in Business Administration: Finance

"I was in the point of my life where I knew what I wanted to but I didn’t know how to achieve it. I was confused, lost and discouraged. When I met my mentor she help me figure out which path I should take to reach my goal. In the end I was about to secure an internship in my career path."

– Abigail Senat '27, B.A in Business Administration: Finance & Marketing