![\"Sean](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/adv\/alumni-news-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Sean_IMG_4995-225x300.jpg\")
Sean Bajwa \u201918<\/p><\/div>\n
Sean Bajwa \u201918 and Genessis Galindo \u201920 are among firsts at the University of Rochester. They were both the first in their families to graduate from a four-year college. They were also among the first to participate in a pilot mentorship match program last summer, which brought together first-generation students and alumni through the University\u2019s online networking platform, The Meliora Collective<\/a>.<\/p>\n Supporting students in their career search<\/a> has always been a priority for the University, but it was elevated during COVID-19 as a key area within its new Together for Rochester<\/a> campaign, a yearlong effort to help make life better for the University community. Expanding support<\/a> for first-generation students\u2014and helping them flourish while on campus and later in their careers\u2014is also a campaign priority.<\/p>\n Currently, about 28 percent of undergraduates in the College are low income or first generation\u2014that\u2019s about 170 in the Class of 2024.<\/a> For students like Bajwa and Galindo (who was also a Susan B. Anthony scholarship recipient<\/a>), financial support helped get them here\u2014but having a support system and a network has helped them thrive.<\/p>\n The pilot mentoring program, which the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement ran in partnership with the Greene Center for Career Education and Connections<\/a>, matched 85 alumni with 85 recent graduates and current students. The program has since expanded. In February 2021, more than 400 mentors and 400 mentees were matched based on their expertise, industry, location, interest, and more.<\/p>\n \u201cMany recent graduates, alumni, and even some students have seen their career opportunities completely disrupted because of the pandemic,\u201d says Joe Testani, assistant dean and executive director of the Greene Center. \u201cFor first-generation students, the struggle can be often compounded because of a lack of access to social capital and networks that other students may have through family, friends, or privilege. We\u2019re hopeful this pilot program provided them support and guidance while expanding their networks and career opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to being first-generation students, Bajwa and Galindo were both business analytics majors from Southern California. Bajwa is now an associate at Fortress Investment Group, a private equity firm based in New York City. Although he\u2019s only two years out of college, he\u2019s keen to pay it forward as a mentor.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to provide the kind of support that was so freely given to me, including career advice, decision-making insight, and valuable networking opportunities,\u201d says Bajwa, who adds that he and Galindo maintained their mentoring relationship even after the program officially ended.<\/p>\n Genessis Galindo \u201920<\/p><\/div>\n After graduating, Galindo took a part-time job with the Emma Bowen Foundation<\/a>, a not-for-profit that connects diverse student candidates with internship opportunities. She enjoyed the work but wanted to find a full-time position at a tech company, which she did, thanks in part to Bajwa.<\/p>\n \u201cLast year, Sean introduced me to a recruiter in his network,\u201d Galindo says. \u201cI did an information interview with her and, a few months later, that person took a position at HubSpot. She then reached out to me and asked me if I\u2019d be interested in a job there, as a remote customer support specialist in Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n As it turned out, she was offered that job plus another position at a different tech company. She talked it all through with Bajwa and it was clear HubSpot was the place for her\u2014a decision she is very happy with. Because of her experience with the pilot mentoring program, Galindo signed up to be a mentor in the program\u2019s next cycle. \u201cI want to try and give back what Sean gave to me,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n \u201cMentoring can start off as a formal relationship, but it often leads to ongoing relationships,\u201d says Michelle Cavalcanti, associate director of career and professional affinity programs with the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled with how many want to be a part of this and we are always interested in hearing from more people. Together, we can make a difference and improve outcomes for our students and recent graduates.\u201d<\/p>\n For help and support, Cavalcanti recommends that current students explore opportunities through the Greene Center, and join The Meliora Collective. The Collective is also a place for all alumni to find fellow alumni for professional advice, networking, and support. To help students and recent graduates, Cavalcanti invites them to reach out and volunteer to mentor, create internship opportunities, consider Rochester graduates for employment, and sign up to participate in a new Greene Center career education forum<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#e9e5d7″ css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”20px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”10px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Bajwa:<\/strong> Knowing that I can do something to help someone just feels right. It\u2019s easy for me to take a few minutes out of my day to talk to someone, tag them in social media, or pass along an opportunity. People have always done this for me, so if I can help, I always will.<\/p>\n Galindo:<\/strong> Looking for a job is stressful and time consuming. Sometimes I feel like I put in all this work and it\u2019s for nothing. But Sean is always there to listen and offer advice and perspective. He reminds me to hang in there and he encourages me. I\u2019m always looking forward to paying it forward in the future and want to give back to someone what Sean has given me.<\/p>\n Bajwa:<\/strong> Know yourself and be sure you can articulate what you want and how you can add value to an organization. Find people who are working in the field you are interested in and network with them. Don\u2019t be afraid to reach out to alumni\u2014know that most people want to be helpful.<\/p>\n Go to the Greene Career Center and places like the David T. Kearns Center<\/a> and the Office of Minority Student Affairs<\/a>. You\u2019ll find friends there along with people who know how to support you. And, be sure to sign up for The Meliora Collective. Explore The Collective thoroughly, too. You can find people by location, professional area, affinity group, and special-interest group affiliations, too.<\/p>\n Galindo:<\/strong> \u00a0For all students, including first-gen ones, go to networking events on campus, at places like the Greene Center and at those run by student clubs, organizations, and affinity groups. Also, look for work-study programs that can help you down-the-road. I worked the front desk at the career center, which expanded my perspective as well as my knowledge about events and opportunities across campus. Look both inside and outside the University, too. I was lucky enough to be accepted into the Emma Brown Foundation, which helped me secure my first internship.<\/p>\n Keep this mind, too: Although it might be difficult to find the right opportunity in the timeframe you want, don\u2019t give up. Give your all in everything you pursue. Even though the search may be frustrating, it also offers a ton of opportunities to learn about yourself and what you want.<\/p>\n Bajwa: <\/strong>First, my parents\u2014my mom is from the Azures in Portugal and my dad is from India. They have always wanted me to live the American dream, and they\u2019ve worked so hard to make that happen. Professor Wedig from Simon\u2019s business administration program and Rich Handler, chair of the University\u2019s Board of Trustees, inspired me to pursue my dreams. Philip J. Ippolito inspired me, too. He was my former boss at my first job at CastleOak Securities.<\/p>\n And, then there is Murray Rudin, whom I met through The Meliora Collective. He\u2019s in the same field as me and lives on the west coast, not far from where I grew up. He\u2019s done so much for me\u2014given me career perspective, helped me prep for interviews, guided me though job offers\u2014he\u2019s been where I am and is always willing to help.<\/p>\n Galindo: <\/strong>My biggest role models are my mom and grandmother. They always put family first and are the strongest people I know. They have also always encouraged me to be the best version of myself and to embrace opportunities, like going to college, even if it meant going to my dream school\u2014Rochester\u2014on the opposite coast, 2,300 miles away.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”10px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#e7e7e7″ css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”15px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1614960209736{padding-top: 1px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: #e7e7e7 !important;}”]<\/p>\n Were you the first member of your family to go to college? If so, consider joining the University\u2019s new\u00a0First Generation Network<\/a>. Connect, mentor, and network with fellow alumni with similar experiences, and share perspectives and resources with current first-generation students. Learn more about first-generation students here in this 2019\u00a0Rochester Review\u00a0<\/em>article, \u201cFirst in the Family<\/a>.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”10px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide=”no” text_align=”left” background_color=”#e6f3fa” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1604940512539{padding-top: 1px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: #e6f3fa !important;}”]The University of Rochester recently launched Together for Rochester, a one-year campaign to make life better for the University community and the world. Launching the <\/em>First Generation Network<\/em><\/a> and expanding support for them along with <\/em>providing career guidance and opportunities<\/em><\/a> for all students are key aspects of the campaign. Learn more about Together for Rochester here<\/a>. <\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”10px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1614980312638{border-top-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;border-top-color: #999999 !important;border-top-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n \u2014 Kristine Thompson, Updated March 2021<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px” image_repeat=”no-repeat”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sean Bajwa \u201918 and Genessis Galindo \u201920 are among firsts at the University of Rochester. They were both the first in their families to graduate from a four-year college. They were also among the first to participate in a pilot mentorship match program this summer, which brought together first-generation students and alumni through the University\u2019s online networking platform, The Meliora Collective.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":20472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[272,672,742,212,232,712],"class_list":["post-19932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-alumni","tag-first-generation-network","tag-los-angeles","tag-new-york-city","tag-recent-alumni","tag-the-meliora-collective"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Genessis](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/adv\/alumni-news-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Genessis_Galindo.jpg\")
Our top three<\/h3>\n
What\u2019s been the biggest reward of mentorship?<\/h3>\n
What advice do you have for first-generation students looking for an internship or a job?<\/h3>\n
Who are your most important mentors and role models?<\/h3>\n
First in the family<\/h3>\n