February's Mentor of the Month: Bob Deresiewicz CC'79

Congratulations to Bob Deresiewicz CC'79, as February 2020 Mentor of the Month. Deresiewicz received his BA in biochemistry from Columbia. He is now the senior managing director and partner at Wellington Management Co. He has participated in the Odyssey Mentoring Program and has mentored five students on the platform.

Interview with Bob Deresiewicz CC'79

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

Five

What have you gained from being a mentor?

I’ve gained the joy of interacting with bright, earnest and ambitious young people, and the satisfaction of helping them to navigate certain educational and career choices at a formative stage of their lives. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with Columbia, an institution that means a great deal to my family and me.

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

Look for a mentor who is willing to meet you as you are: someone understanding of the types of issues you face, and whose education, career and/or life experiences are relevant to your needs. A good mentor should be generous with his/her time and genuinely interested in helping you answer your questions.

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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.