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Rockford TV station covers mentoring program

March 11, 2014

NIU Alumni Association logoThe pilot alumni mentoring program just started in January. But word is getting out on the airwaves about its success.

Lizzy de Guia, a junior in nursing, and a few other students went on the air last week on WREX, the NBC station in Rockford, to share how they are blossoming with the help of mentors.

“Having someone as a support system so I can bounce ideas and get advice” is a main benefit of the program, she told the NIU Alumni Association after the taping.

Her mentor, Norman Goldstein, a business consultant in treasury management from Northbrook, has already helped her build a resume and learn how to network.

Goldstein, who also teaches part time for the NIU College of Business, recently invited de Guia to a networking event – a mock cocktail party – for the NIU Financial Management Association. Etiquette and interview preparation are examples of what the students learn from executive alumni during the event.

“We just want them to get comfortable with a professional situation,” Goldstein said.

Lizzy de Guia

Lizzy de Guia

To pay it forward, de Guia has created a mentoring program for pre-nursing students so they are ready for the rigorous nursing curriculum.

“We’re setting them up with current nursing students and people entering the program, kind of like what we’re doing (in the alumni mentoring program), so they can get some advice,” she said.

About 70 students are participating in the NIU Alumni Association’s pilot mentoring program, one of several mentoring initiatives that began this semester. The expansion of mentoring and internship opportunities is part of NIU President Doug Baker’s plan to improve student career success.

If you’re interested in joining the alumni mentoring program, contact Katie Giannattasio at (815) 753-5088 or kgiannattasio@niu.edu.