Mentoring young graduates

By Kelli (Nipple) Knisley BA ’00

It’s that time of year again … the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining in the Valley, and Anderson University is preparing for commencement. What an exciting yet frightening time of change in the lives of these graduating students! I remember that time. The month of May was filled with final exams, senior projects, graduation, and saying good-bye to lifelong friends and to a campus that made such an impact on my life. In the summer that followed, I married and began working full-time with a Big 5 accounting firm in downtown Indy.

Whether they already have a dream job lined up or not, these new graduates will find the value of mentors during this transition. For myself, the people I seek out for advice in my profession are those I respect and who know what is significant to me in my own life. One of my mentors has been Cindy Peck, a professor at the Falls School of Business. She guided and encouraged me during my time at AU, and has intentionally stayed connected with me as an alum. I also think of Karen, a co-worker who helped me handle the transition of working full-time under pressure and provided an example of being a Christian in the secular business world. Besides learning from my own mentors, I am serving as a mentor for others; I have the privilege of investing time into the lives of senior high girls on a weekly basis outside of the workplace.

Who are your mentors and whom are you mentoring? Don’t miss the chance to help a fellow AU grad find a job in your community, in your profession, or even at your workplace. If you are interested in mentoring AU students and alumni, please e-mail the alumni office at kjwolfe@anderson.edu.