March's Mentor of the Month: Carolyn Braff CC'07

Congratulations to Carolyn Braff CC'07, as March 2020 Mentor of the Month. Braff received her BA in urban studies and Spanish language and literature from Columbia. She is now the director of brand marketing at Gatorade. She has participated in the Odyssey Mentoring Program and has mentored eight students on the platform.

Interview with Carolyn Braff CC'07

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

Eight

What have you gained from being a mentor?

I love being able to give back to the community, both to alums and to current students. I really enjoy connecting with College students, hearing about the current opportunities they have and the challenges they face, and helping to unlock paths forward in the same way alumni did for me when I was younger. It is a pleasure to continue to help strengthen the Columbia community however I can, and mentoring is one way to do that.

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

Find someone who interests you, and ask good questions. I am always happy to make time for a student, so don’t be afraid to reach out! Be clear on what you want to get out of the relationship, why you are reaching out and how often you want to connect. The clearer you can be about your goals, the better your mentor will be able to meet them.

Any additional thoughts about Odyssey?

This program is only as strong as the individuals who choose to participate, so I encourage students to lean in and participate! Building real-world connections with folks who have been in my shoes has been valuable for me in my career and in my life.

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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.