With a robust network of accomplished professionals spanning industries and continents, Pitt Business leverages the power of alumni mentorship to offer invaluable guidance and support to current students, ensuring their smooth transition from the classroom to the professional world.
Win-Win Relationships
Alumni mentorship programs at Pitt Business are built upon the foundation of mutual benefit and shared success.
For students, connecting with mentors who have walked the same halls and faced similar challenges provides a unique opportunity to gain insights, advice, and connections that can shape their career trajectories. Whether it’s exploring career options, refining job search strategies, or seeking industry-specific expertise, mentors offer firsthand knowledge and unique perspectives that are often unavailable within the confines of the classroom.
For alumni, serving as mentors is a chance to give back to their alma mater and contribute to the success of the next generation of business leaders. By sharing their experiences, insights, and networks, alumni mentors play a pivotal role in shaping the professional journeys of students, fostering a sense of community and continuity that transcends graduation.
Natalie Freedline (BSBA ’05) enjoys her connections with undergraduate students. Freedline, a partner at EY, wanted to help with recruiting efforts at her company and get a better understanding of what skills current business students would bring to the table. She says, “Students are utilizing technology to their advantage even more than I anticipated – and way more than we did in 2005!”
When Freedline was an alumna-in-residence, she connected with Austin Bronder (BSBA ’24). He had a few key takeaways from connecting with Freedline. He says, “Participating made me realize the importance of networking, as well as understanding how the concepts we learn in the classroom are actually used in the professional environment.”
Bronder and Freedline both majored in accounting, nearly 20 years apart. Bronder says, “Connecting with professionals within the accounting and finance field made me realize that this was the career path I want to continue with.”
Feedback for Future Success
Freedline was very impressed with the students she met with, saying “I knew Pitt business students would be the best and brightest group, but I was very impressed with the understanding of the professional services industry and the use of technology to support their learning.”
Her advice to students looking to connect with an alumni mentor is, “Be open-minded in your questions and vulnerable enough to ask for the right feedback. Learning about how you present yourself to others is critical to developing your self-awareness as well as putting your best foot forward in the job market.”
Get Involved! Leave Your Legacy
Alumni mentorship at Pitt Business embodies the spirit of lifelong learning and professional growth, empowering students to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape with confidence, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
Pitt Business alumni serve the University community in many ways including one-on-one coaching, judging at competitions, and networking at events. At the undergraduate level, alumni can get involved with the Alumni-in-Residence and the Alumni Connect programs. At the graduate level, alumni can serve as Katz Connections.
Unsure how to get involved? Contact Amy McCloskey at mccloskey@pitt.edu or fill out the alumni engagement form.
