October’s Mentee of the Month: Timothy Eng CC'21

Congratulations to Timothy Eng CC'21 for being selected as our Mentee of the Month for September. Timothy is a Junior and is studying Computer Science and History. He is involved with the Men's swimming and diving team, Columbia China and Law Business Association, Hong Kong Students and Scholars Society and Lambda Phi Epsilon.

Interview with Timothy Eng CC'21

What advice would you give to alumni who are looking to mentor a student?

I think it would be of great help to students if alumni can give insight into how college life and post-grad life will be different. I really appreciate learning about how the alum’s perspectives change once they started to work, and it prompts me to rethink how I can make more out of my Columbia experience and prepare myself for life/career after graduation.

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

My relationships with mentors have consisted of casual, in-person meetings. I met with them in coffee shops near their offices, and communicated with them via text. One of my mentors invited me to an event this past summer, and I got to connect with other students/alumni/professionals in the area.

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

Having an extra avenue through which to seek advice from alumni. During this past summer, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next summer or beyond, and I feel like talking with alumni who’ve been through the Columbia and post-grad experience provides another perspective and challenged my assumptions on what I thought I might want. It also helps that some of the mentors are not on the career path I’m hoping to pursue; it provides a different perspective.

What has been most surprising about being a mentee?

How efficient the Odyssey Mentoring Program is at helping students find mentors! I was in Hong Kong with only two weeks of summer left, and I still got to meet with several mentors face-to-face. Alums are very enthusiastic when it comes to connecting with students, so don’t be afraid to reach out. I think I’ll definitely make good use of the system going forward, given the number of alums in New York City.

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.