The Art and Benefits of Mentoring

It takes a special kind of person to be a mentor. Goizueta’s Mentoring Program, which reached 800 students in the 2005-06 school year, gives BBA and MBA students a link between the academic world and the realities of the business world. It’s up to the participants to make the experience as meaningful as possible.

            Jake Frank 96MBA takes this seriously. Frank, director of Supply Chain Management for Delta Air Lines, has mentored eight students since 1998. “I make mentoring relationships very personal,” he says. “Every mentee has dinner at my home. It is more than stopping by the school or going to Everybody’s Pizza. You really want to get to know the person to understand what they want to do with their career.”

            Mentoring helps Frank meet several goals. “I’m not one of those guys who writes big checks,” he says. “I give a lot of my time. I love the school; I’m very committed to it. It’s a great networking opportunity and the way I give back.” He is also involved with Goizueta’s programs in job shadowing, resume writing, interview training, and case-based interview workshops.

            “I love watching these people grow over the course of their MBA, and I get to re-experience some of my MBA years. They were two very good years of my life,” he adds.

            One recent mentee is Alejandro Gutierrez 06MBA. “Jake’s contribution to his mentees isn’t limited to the classic role of a mentor-mentee,” says Gutierrez. “Besides being a well-seasoned executive in the very demanding airline industry, Jake is a great friend to whom I turn for personal and career advice.”

            Frank has scheduled meetings with key contacts throughout Delta for Tony Yavasile 07MBA. -Yavasile helps strategize for the lunches and follows up with feedback. “Jake goes out of his way to assist students who are interested in pursing a career in the airline industry,” says Yavasile. “He takes time out of his busy schedule, both professionally and personally, to help me pursue my dreams. Jake is an example of why I chose to attend Goizueta.”—Sarah Banick

Interested in becoming a mentor? Visit our Mentor Program page.