When I entered college in the United States, I was stepping into an unfamiliar environment with very little understanding of how to prepare for the professional world.
I knew education was important, but there were things I simply didn’t know to ask about, from navigating internships and career fairs to understanding workplace expectations and building professional relationships.
Years later, after recruiting for organizations including Google, GE HealthCare, and Ball Aerospace, I gained a different perspective. I began to understand what employers look for, how hiring decisions are made, and the workplace knowledge that can make a meaningful difference early in someone’s career. I often think about how valuable that understanding would have been when I was a student.
That experience is part of why I created the Emerging Professionals Mentorship: to share practical knowledge, professional insight, and guidance that can help students prepare for opportunities and navigate the workplace with greater confidence.
— Leona