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Press And Journal Photo/Jim Lewis~ Kahan Vaidya, right, a 19-year-old student at Penn State Harrisburg, seeks career advice from Dr. Alan Snyder, left, associate dean for research and professor of surgery and bioengineering at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
FAST TRACK
At PSU-Harrisburg, students get career mentoring in a hurry,
by Jim Lewis
Press And Journal Staff
: 2/17/2010
It’s the latest way to find a date, jumping from table to table of eligible singles for a quick interview, but Kahan Vaidya, a 19-year-old college student, is not looking for a date — he’s desperately seeking career advice.
Should he become a doctor or a laboratory researcher?
He takes an empty chair across the table from a volunteer mentor who is waiting to dispense advice to waffling Penn State
Harrisburg sophomores like Vaidya, and the ritual begins.
“Hi,’’ says Vaidya.
“Hi. Nice to meet you.’’
“I’m Kahan. So you’re a doctor?’’
“I’m a bioengineer.’’
“That’s perfect.’’
In 15 minutes, they talk about their love of research, of committing yourself to work you really want to do. The best thing that could have happened to Vaidya, a biotechnology major from Lancaster, was to talk to Dr. Alan Snyder, associate dean for research and professor of surgery and bioengineering at Penn State Hershey Medical Center — someone who faced the same decision when he was in college.
Vaidya and other Penn State students grabbed quick interviews — and precious advice — from mentors in a variety of professions during an event organizers call Speed Mentoring, held each year in a room off the food court to help undecided students to choose a major.
Inspired by speed dating, students moved from table to table, meeting professionals in engineering, accounting, law — even theater.
It came at a handy time: Undecided students are typically expected to declare a major by February of their sophomore year.
Begun three years ago, the event has grown in popularity, particularly because it’s an informal way for students to get important career advice, said Laurie Dobrosky, an assistant director for the university’s Alumni Society.
“They don’t have to dress up, and there are others in the room,’’ said Dobrosky. “And the mentors love giving career advice.’’
Students love the help, too. Take Monica Saade, a sophomore communications major from Dubai who is considering law school.
“Oh my gosh, this is my future,’’ said Saade. “Right now, I have a bunch of intangible dreams.’’
Just a few minutes with a mentor who has political science experience is valuable, she said.
“I’m at such an impressionable age that even little things can make a difference,’’ said Saade. “It helps. Every little bit helps.’’
A simple 15-minute interview made a difference for Vaidya. “I got a better idea of what is a good path to take to do what I want,’’ he said, after talking to Snyder, hoisting his backpack full of books over his back and heading to class. “It is nice to finally have a chance to talk to someone who is doing what I aspire to do.’’
Saade would recommend Speed Mentoring to other students. “It’s that one-on-one — people can pick your brain,’’ she said.
Speed dating? “Maybe one day, if I get desperate enough,’’ she said.
Jim Lewis: 717-944-4628, or jimlewis@pressandjournal.com
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