My mentee Giuliana Gechelin and I had the chance to facetime this week chat and catch up on everything school, life, and future! Giuliana is a psychology major, and has recently added two minors! She is a new student within legal foundations of society and society and natural resources. Prior to our chat I had never heard of those minors. Upon hearing she joined these minors, I asked how she found out about them and why she chose to join them! Giuliana explained that one of her pre-law professors had mentioned the minors and she spoke with her after class regarding both of them! After several conversations, Giuliana decided both minors would be an amazing addition to her transcript and she was passionate for both of them. I also wanted to clarify and find out what type of law she was hoping to practice in the future. She explained that she was extremely eager to go into environmental law and is excited to work for the betterment of the world.
We then moved on to the topic of ACES! Giuliana noted that she loved meeting each and everyone one of the ACES and loved her first semester roomate. She said that the ACES community made her feel welcome and included on a campus that felt so large. Unfortunately, Giuliana moved off of campus during her first semester, and said that she feels that she has lost many of her formed connections because of this change. Not only was she not able to get as close to her floor mates, she wasn’t able join as many clubs as desired. Despite the current disconnect, Giulina hopes that when the pandemic is over, she can return to campus and join as many clubs possible, within reason. She did note, however, that she is in Guiding Eyes for the Blind and hopes to get more involved, and possibly foster her own Service dog in training! Personally, in a non biased current service dog raiser way, I think that she should definetly get a foster pup!
Furthermore, we discussed the goals we set for outselves at the beginning of the semester and school year. I mentioned that I was hoping Cappy (my service dog in training) would go to Advanced training, and was really hoping to get an A in organic chemistry. Giuliana stated her goals for grades, connections and health. With hopes for straight A’s, strong connections with friends and professors, and great health. However, with the pandemic… the health part was worrying her, and to be completely honest I was worried about both my own and my families. In terms of forming bonds, Giuliana pointed out that she has found a mentor in one of her pre-law professors. I mentioned my love for Legally Blonde and we discussed how much we want to channel Elle’s I-want-to-go-to-Harvard-so-I’m-going-to-Harvard energy.
I have trully loved getting to know Giuliana this year and I see so much success in her future. She is the kind of person we need more of in this world, and the kind of lawyer that the world needs (very literally). I cannot wait to see and hear about her sophomore year and am extremely grateful to have metored and gotten to know her as a friend.
The questions I asked during the mentee interview were as follows;
- Are you enjoying your major? Why or why not?
- How have you gotten involved on campus?
- Have you enjoyed your first semetser in ACES? What has suprised ou about the program?
- Have you career plans changed since the first semester? Why or why not?
- What goals have you set for yourself this semester?