February’s Mentee of the Month: Alice Niu CC'20

Congratulations to Alice Niu CC'20 for being selected as our Mentee of the Month for February. Alice is an Economics and Computer Science major who is involved with dance groups on campus and was a research intern for a Nobel Prize Winner. Alice has connected with multiple mentors on the Odyssey Mentoring Platform.

Interview with Alice Niu CC'20

What advice would you give an alumnus/a who is looking to mentor a student?

An alum looking to mentor a student should continue to stay involved and reach out to students. The alumni I have met through mentoring have helped to truly make a difference in the Columbia College community by enabling so many students to feel supported. They have also inspired me to do the same in the future.

What has been the most helpful part of being a mentee?

I have learned a lot about various careers by having mentors in all the different industries I was considering, including tech, investment banks, private equity, and hedge funds. I was also able to hone in on my communication and networking skills, which is helpful for building even more meaningful professional connections down the line. When it comes to career development, I truly agree with the phrase, "your network is your net worth".

What has been most surprising about being a mentee?

What surprised me most was how invested my mentors have been in supporting me as much as they could. Despite their busy schedules, they really go the extra mile to provide guidance on my goals and to become important influencers on my own college odyssey.

About the Odyssey Mentoring Program

The Odyssey Mentoring Program (OMP) was founded on the belief that Columbia College students and alumni want to support one another, share stories and encourage one another’s success, thus creating a strong and tight-knit community. The College has more than 50,000 alumni working in myriad careers and around the country. OMP makes it possible for community members to connect in a variety of ways, from an email exchange to in-person meetings and small group gatherings.