Mentorship was a key building block for Aoife Cleary as she navigated the pivotal moment of securing a full-time job after graduation. The senior chemical and biochemical engineering (CBE) major plans to join DuPont, a multinational chemical company, where she can leverage her background in environmental and economic impacts of chemical process safety. Her mentor has been a key part of her support system.
As a sophomore, Cleary tapped into CBE’s professional mentorship program and soon got linked with John Kessler. Kessler is an Iowa alum and retired chemical engineer with 35 years of experience with DuPont. Regular check-ins with Kessler helped Aoife reflect on her progress and stay focused on her objectives.
"I wanted someone who could give me perspective on careers and life," she explained. Kessler's mentorship has been instrumental in helping her navigate her future career path, she said.
The CBE department offers a robust industry mentorship program created by advisory board member Tom Marriott. Mentorship plays a crucial role in professional development, offering guidance, support, and valuable insights that can shape a successful career.
CBE’s mentorship program matches students with mentors based on their focus areas, which range from business to pharmaceuticals. This alignment ensures that students receive relevant advice and support tailored to their career aspirations.
Kessler is a firm believer in the mentorship program, noting that it helps students gain a clearer understanding of their chosen field. In addition to serving as a mentor, he also serves on the advisory board and contributes to the senior design class, sharing his extensive knowledge in capital project management.
Reflecting on his own college days, Kessler recognized just how valuable it would have been having someone to guide him through the intricacies of a chemical engineering career.
"I didn't know what a chemical engineer did until I got into the job," he recalled. This is why he’s been on board with the program since it began.
Since its inception in Spring 2013, the program has bridged the gap between academic learning and professional practice, enhancing students' professional preparation with mentors' knowledge, experience, and counsel. Mentors provide individualized help with career planning, resume preparation, interviewing skills, internships, networking opportunities, and more.
For Aoife, the mentorship program offered her the opportunity to connect with someone who could provide insights beyond academic knowledge. She values access to a mentor who has real-world experience in the industry.
"It's nice to have a resource that has a better idea of how things are shaping up," she said.
The mentorship program has significantly shaped Aoife's career goals and aspirations. It has provided her with clarity on the skills she needs to develop and the steps she should take to achieve her goals.