Q: What are some of the topics you talk about?
Samantha (my mentee) and I speak every six weeks. Sometimes we may increase our meetings depending on our schedules as the two of us have very busy lives. We talk about her coursework and her preparations for taking the LSAT’s. We also talk about applications to law schools, summer employment, and the recent implications of the Sandusky issue.
Q: Do you find it difficult to find common ground due to a generation difference?
I work with younger people quite often and I have children and grandchildren, so I communicate with younger people all the time. I don’t think the generational gap is, in this context, a barrier to our communication. Samantha is not shy as well. She’s a very assertive young lady who knows where she wants to go, so that helps our interaction.
Q: What motivated you to become a mentor?
I thought it’d be a great opportunity to give back in some capacity. I felt like I could contribute to the program information about law that is sometimes largely misunderstood. Law is a varied field and I wanted to provide insight into all the potentials of practicing. I don’t feel that pre-law students get the kind of advice for approaching a law degree, so I’m happy to provide Samantha more direction for becoming a lawyer. It was also a great opportunity to reconnect with Penn State.
Q: What is most fulfilling about your mentor/mentee relationship?
I feel that being around a young, energetic mind with the vitality of youth is a really rewarding experience.