Our Most Influential Mentors
In Episode 7, Challin and Mousumi talked with collegiate mentor Cheryl McPhilimy about the importance of finding personal and professional mentors to guide you throughout your career. In the week since publishing that episode we’ve taken time to reflect on and thank our own influential mentors. Take a look below to see who had the biggest impact on our lives over the years!
Challin Baro: Grandma Joyce
My most influential mentor was my grandma Joyce. She didn’t realize she was my mentor, but provided so much knowledge, guidance, poise, and perspective for me. She was strong and caring, smart and sassy, fun and hardworking - a true example of balance (most of the time). She went back to school to get her bachelor's degree when she was in her 50s. I remember her practicing her business and public speaking presentations with me as her audience time and again to make sure her inflections were just right. She graduated top of her class and set the example for the other students who were ½ of her age. She worked in Human Resources at a printing company, helping to ensure the workers on the manufacturing floor had the benefits they and their families needed. After a 5-year battle with ovarian cancer, she passed away when I was just 19. Fifteen years later, I think about her and her lessons daily.
Mousumi Behari: My Parents
My mentors have always been my parents. I’ve consulted them when buying a house, when deciding to move to Chicago, and other big events in my life. My dad’s advice to me when I was 18 is one of the reasons I am where I am today. He told me that it’s important to have a career where I can support myself and be independent. It’s allowed me to travel and have the lifestyle I want. My mom’s advice is usually more about how I feel, which makes sense given she is a counseling psychologist. She has always been a support system and sounding board for me when I’ve needed it the most. I’m really lucky to have such a team behind me who always has my back and loves me unconditionally.
Caitlin Danforth: Coach TJ Zuzga
My most influential mentor is Thaddeus Zuzga, my high school swim coach. Zuzga was only my coach for two years but did so much to help me become the person I am today. I went into my senior year of high school unsure of what university I wanted to attend and doubting my abilities as an athlete; it was Zuzga who reached out to my prospective coach with a recommendation and a copy of my personal best times. I came back and swam with Zuzga during every winter break over the course of my college career. The only reason I kept swimming - and ended up captain of a D1 team - was because Zuzga believed in me and pushed me to be better. I would have spent four years watching the EIU swim team thinking “I could never do that” if Zuzga didn’t believe that I could. I still use his mantra ten years after leaving his team: I can, I will.
Jill Berndtson: Collegiate Advisor Cheryl McPhilimy
My most influential mentor is Cheryl McPhilimy (you can listen to her on episode 7!). I met Cheryl my sophomore year of college. She was the faculty advisor to Inigo Communications, however I quickly realized she would evolve into my mentor, role model, and friend. I talked through every possible career decision I could possibly make with her- from internships, to companies to work for, to longer career paths. She served as a sounding board for decisions, a person to gleam life lessons from, and an all-around advisor to my barely-formed career. During one of my meetings with her, she told me “whatever path you choose will be the right one, always...even if you don’t like the route you choose, you’ll still learn something from it.” As someone who has a self-proclaimed fear of making decisions, that advice has helped ease my mind when choosing one path over the other. I’ll forever be grateful for her and the life lessons she’s taught me.
Shout out your mentor!
Have someone in your life that’s made a big impact? Tag them in our latest Instagram post to say thank you for all they’ve done.
