Finding Mentors at CMU
by Leo Y.
Your first year at college can be challenging. It certainly was for me. You’re in a new environment with people you don’t know, clubs that you’ve never attended and classes that seem difficult. Fear not, however, as everyone at Carnegie Mellon is here to support you.
One of the best ways to get help and advice throughout your time at CMU is by finding mentors—wise upperclassmen who are experienced and seasoned in navigating the obstacles of college. Now, you may be asking yourself: “How do I find a mentor?” Well, many clubs and student organizations actually help you find mentors. The cultural organizations that I participate in, including Taiwanese Students Association and Asian Students Association, all have some sort of “buddy system,” where you can either find—or be found by—an upperclassman, or you also have the option to be assigned a mentor. While I am not involved in Greek Life, I do believe that many fraternities and sororities on campus also offer similar buddy systems. Even Mudge House, the dorm that I lived in as a first-year student, has a mentorship program in which current residents can get to know a mentor who once lived in the building.
As the weeks of the semester march on, there will be times when you are stressed by the amount of work you have to do, and that is completely normal. CMU is an academically rigorous school, but having someone to talk to—having an upperclassman to seek advice from—has always helped me feel more confident and ready to be my best self while at CMU.
Even if you are not involved in any of these activities, there are still plenty of opportunities to find mentorship during your time here. The Career and Professional Development Center has Career Peer Mentors—upperclassmen who can help you revise your resumes and cover letters, search for internships, and explore career opportunities. If you find a certain course challenging, the Student Academic Success Center offers services such as one-to-one peer tutoring, drop-in tutoring, and supplemental instruction, and all of these are led by upperclassmen who have excelled in their courses.
In short, your first year at CMU will be a very memorable one, and if you ever need help, advice, or just someone to talk to, just remember that we all have your back here at Carnegie Mellon.