Health and Human Development Mentoring Program: November 2006 Newsletter

Spotlight on: Karen Macauley and Jennifer Leary

Karen Macauley ’87, immediate past president of the Nursing Alumni Society, helped to recruit alumni to be mentors during her tenure as president. Despite the many commitments associated with being president of the Nursing Alumni Society, with nearly 8,000 members, Karen decided that she, too, wanted to be a mentor. After meeting her protégé, Jennifer Leary, at the mentoring dinner and workshop, the two met up again at the Nursing Alumni Society’s spring career workshop in Hershey, where many nursing students elect to spend a semester. “The Mentoring Program, along with the Nursing Alumni Society’s career workshops, are an excellent opportunity to bring alumni and students together to illustrate to students what and where Penn State nurses have gone in their careers since graduation,” explains Karen.

The nation’s nursing shortage means that nursing students have plenty of employment opportunities, but nursing students see the value of mentoring in helping them to identify satisfying careers and learn about the variety of opportunities in the field. “As an undergraduate student there is a lot of uncertainty about the nursing world,” says Jennifer. You are looking for new and exciting opportunities, but don't always know how to go about making those opportunities for yourself.”

Jennifer is thrilled to have Karen as her mentor, even though Karen is not working in her intended field. “I was a little concerned when Karen was not an oncology nurse,” says Jennifer. “However, a nurse is a nurse regardless of the field. The experience she brings to the table is amazing. Her life is an inspiration. It's been incredible to share the student experience with her as she is continuing her education right along beside me.”

Karen and Jennifer have met several times in the past year – most recently when Karen invited Jennifer to the Penn State Alumni Association’s Volunteer Awards ceremony, where the Nursing Alumni Society was awarded the “Student Interaction Award.” When Jennifer learned that she had been selected for a summer internship at Cleveland Clinic, Karen was one of the first people with whom she shared the good news. “It's incredible to have a resource who remembers what it is like to be a nursing student, serves as a constant cheerleader, and feels as though she has become not only a mentor, but also a dear friend for life,” says Jennifer.

While Karen feels that Jennifer needed very little guidance from her, she is pleased to have had the opportunity to be a mentor. “Jen exemplifies what nursing is all about and I am privileged to have met her and shared in her Penn State experience. I am thrilled with the opportunity to befriend Jennifer – she is an exceptional young lady, one who will join our profession and make a huge impact on her patients and those around her,” says Karen.

Jennifer plans to graduate in May 2007 and seek employment in oncology nursing. Karen has recently moved to Florida but hopes that Jennifer will visit her there and plans to attend the mentoring dinner in February.

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2007 Mentoring Dinners

It’s never too early to mark your calendar for the 2007 Mentoring Dinners and Workshops! Please note that three departments (Biobehavioral Health, Nutritional Sciences, and Recreation, Park and Tourism Management) are hosting lunches rather than dinners.

Friday, February 2 (6:00 p.m.)

Saturday, February 3 (11:30 a.m.)

Saturday, February 3 (6:00 p.m.)

Saturday, March 31, 2007 (10:00 a.m.)

 

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Topics of the Month

For protégés to ask mentors:
What type of questions should I expect when preparing for a job interview? Can you offer tips to help me construct my resume

For mentors to ask protégés:
Have you prepared your resume? Have you been on a job interview or practiced your interviewing skills

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Featured Photos

image of Steven Wagman and student Nancy Chhum .
HPA Alumni Mentor Steven Wagman and student protege Nancy Chhum
image of RPTM mentors
Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Mentors
image of Shatonya Perry speaking with nursing student proteges
Student Protege Shatonya Perry speaking with nursing student proteges

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Upcoming Events at Penn State:

December 15
Classes End

December 18-21
Final exams

Friday, December 22
Commencement

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Helpful Links:

Daily Collegian: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/

Penn State Newswires (subscribe): http://newswires.psu.edu/ 

College of Health and Human Development Homepage: www.hhdev.psu.edu

Penn State Live (daily news from Penn State): http://live.psu.edu/

Penn State Alumni Association Homepage: www.alumni.psu.edu

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Mentoring Newsletter Archive

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