February’s Mentee of the Month: Sean Higgins CC'22

Congratulations to Sean Higgins CC'22 for being selected as our Mentee of the Month for February. Sean is a sophomore majoring in sociology and applying to the special business management concentration. He is on the baseball team and is a member of the Columbia Finance Society and Columbia Venture Community.

Interview with Sean Higgins CC'22

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

Be open to all kinds of questions, ranging from professions to overall life after Columbia. My experience on the platform has shown just that, where all mentors I have contacted are open and inviting. Also, being open to discussing professions with students who might not have the same background is immensely helpful.

What have your mentoring relationships looked like (e.g., phone calls, meeting in person, etc)?

I have been able to contact some of my mentors over the phone, which was awesome! Some are baseball alumni, and I have been able to meet them in person.

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

Definitely hearing the different experiences and routes my mentors took to get to the place they are today. For example, one of my mentors, a baseball alum, was drafted to play professionally. He told me his story of going from professional baseball to a major technology company. Stories like this have helped me realize that there is no one way to get to where I want to be. Also, reaching out to, and talking to, my mentors have given me the ability to practice my communication skills in the professional world.

What has been most surprising about being a mentee?

How willing alumni are to help me now, and in the future. The program has not only given me much-needed information on choosing a career path, but has also given me contacts who have made it clear that I can reach out whenever I need help or want to talk.

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.