Rocky Moore

As we approach the end of the semester and seniors prepare to walk across the stage at graduation, the students in CST-499 Senior Capstone reflect on the unique opportunity of having a mentor during their final semester of college. The class, taught by Dr. Jessica McCall, allows for seniors in the Communication Studies department to review the content they have learned throughout the past four years and prepare for their future careers, as well as their life after graduation.

At the beginning of the spring semester, each student was assigned a mentor. These mentors are all graduates of the Communication Studies department at UNCG who have graciously volunteered their time and experience in hopes of providing support to students during this stressful yet exciting time. Mentors ranged from a graduate student to a real estate agent to a data systems analyst. These diverse perspectives and professional experiences allow students to see the versatility and possibilities of a Communications Studies degree.

Dr. McCall shares that her idea for assigning students a mentor was the result of attending a conference where a presenter was discussing their use of mentors. When it came to finding a group of mentors, she stated: “I knew our alumni would be up for helping out. I started asking around and had plenty of interest. The great part is that as people take 499, they want to become mentors as well and so I add them to the list for future semesters so that they can give back to the students who were once in their place.”

Dr. McCall hopes students gain “a sense of confidence in the ability to develop relationships with people in professional positions” as well as “the recognition that we are always learning from others.” She understands that “there is support and encouragement in these mentoring opportunities and a general appreciation for the unique journeys that individuals experience,” and she encourages her students to see “the value in experiences that [they] may not originally consider to be the ‘right’ path.”

Ultimately, Dr. McCall stated that she wants her students to have the opportunities and resources that she didn’t necessarily have as she graduated from undergrad and began her transition to graduate school and beyond. She also wants her students to know that people are investing in their futures and trust in their abilities and potential.

Dr. McCall reminded students that their experience with their mentor will only be as successful as they make it. In other words, it is entirely up to students to contact their mentor, arrange meetings, and stay in contact. While students were kept in contact with their mentor through various mentor contact assignments, the interpersonal relationship developed between students and their mentors is entirely dependent upon their willingness to communicate and connect with their mentor.

Lastly, Dr. McCall wants her students to learn through their mentors that there is no singular, correct path. She explains that “[y]ou don’t have to have it all figured out when you graduate. It will all fall into place. Ultimately, all of your experiences will help you become a more competence, ethical, and confident personal in both the personal and professional world.”

Brianna Smith, a student in CST 499, shares her experience with the mentor program: “Although they’re younger than me, my mentor has had a lot of advice to share and that’s been very helpful. The main things I’ve learned are how important networking is and how valuable a good LinkedIn profile can be. I’m looking forward to keeping in contact with my mentor and hopefully being one myself in the future!”

Hayley Keys, one of the mentors, says her decision directly stems from the positions she was in when she was approaching graduation. “Honestly, I just felt so lost when I was your age, but I had no idea, I was living on a prayer. More-or-less, I just want you to have someone you can contact morning, day, or night. You have a connection and don’t have to go out into the unknown. It’s important we help each other and lift each other up.”

While graduation is a huge milestone, it can also be a huge source of anxiety. Hopefully, through CST 499 and their mentors, students can learn from their mentors’ prior experience and know that there is someone they can reach out to over their fears, anxiety, and excitement related to graduation.