Stephanie recently graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is currently working at a healthcare company. Stephanie attended one of Alray’s new scholar and volunteer orientation and gave some advice to new Alray community members:
Advice for New Scholars
“My advice for new scholars is to stay open to learning from everyone around you. This program is a unique chance to connect with people who have diverse and valuable experiences, and there’s so much you can gain from listening and asking questions. Don’t be afraid to ask those questions. When I meet with my mentors, I feel confident in trusting them to answer questions about finances, school, and life.”
Advice for New Mentors
“Consistency and encouragement can go a long way. It sometimes takes us a while for certain phrases or lessons to click. However, with time and patience, the consistency you offer as a mentor will be something your mentee may one day say, ‘Hey, I remember them saying this, and now I understand what they meant.'”
Skills and Lessons from Mentorship
“Mentorship has taught me that I am not alone. My mentors are people who have had similar experiences to mine. Nefyn helped me brainstorm my next job opportunities and finalize my resume during a stressful time when I was living miles away from home. They understand what it means to feel lost in your early 20s, but most importantly, they know the plan of action. They’re people I can trust.”
Biggest Challenge & How Stephanie Overcame It
“One of my biggest challenges was dealing with my pride and the reluctance to ask for help. I’ve always been someone who likes to handle things on my own, but I realized that this mindset was holding me back. This program specifically helped me overcome that because I had multiple mentors, and I knew that if I didn’t speak up, I wouldn’t be taking full advantage of the amazing opportunities in front of me. I knew that my mentors, like Nefyn and Kelsey, were there for me, and it was my responsibility to keep that relationship going.”
What’s Next for Stephanie
“I just moved back here from Miami after living there for a year, and now I’m eager to explore career options in business and tech. It’s an exciting time to find where I can make the most impact and grow professionally in these fields.”
One Word to Describe the Alray Scholars Program
“Transformative”
