January's Mentor of the Month: Alan Freeman CC'93

Congratulations to Alan Freeman CC'93, as January 2020 Mentor of the Month. Freeman received his BA in Political Science from Columbia. He is now Partner & Co-Chair of General Litigation at Blank Rome LLP and resides in both Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh, PA . He has participated in the Odyssey Mentoring Program and has mentored four students on the platform.

Interview with Alan Freeman CC'93

How many people have you connected with and mentored (either long term or one-off conversations) through the Odyssey Mentoring Program?

Four.

What have you gained from being a mentor?

I have not participated as an Odyssey mentor to “gain” anything, but I’ve enjoyed getting to know current students and young alumni, and I’ve enjoyed helping them navigate their paths forward. Other alumni have mentored me since the day I arrived on campus in 1989, so I’m glad to be able to play that role for the next generation. It’s also a great way to stay tuned in to Columbia College today.

What advice you would give a student looking for a mentor?

Don’t be afraid to reach out – and keep reaching out; the alumni who have signed up to be mentors did so because they want to hear from you. And, when deciding among potential mentors ignore undergraduate majors. Don’t limit yourself to alumni in a particular profession or city; mentoring can, and should, be about much more than finding a job.

Any additional thoughts about the Odyssey Mentoring Program?

The Odyssey program is a unique opportunity to connect alumni across generations; it’s an underutilized resource.

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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.