Paying it Forward Through Mentorship
The Pancratz Career Development Center has matched more than 140 students with alumni through the Mentorship Program, one of the Center's services that aims to prepare students for professional success.
During Lauren Cain’s four years at UND, she landed three internships and graduated with a full-time position. She credits the Pancratz Mentor Program and her mentor, Alli Bauman, ’18, for helping her achieve these feats.
The Mentor Program, one of many benefits at the Pancratz Career Development Center, is housed in the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration and is primarily funded by Linda Pancratz, ’76. A successful businesswoman, Linda has appreciated the benefits of mentorship throughout her career and helped develop the program in 2018. To date, nearly 140 partnerships established between students and mentors have helped prepare students for their current and future jobs.
Linda Pancratz, ’76, led the effort to build the Pancratz Career Development Center and provide students a wealth of opportunities to learn what it takes to accomplish their career goals.
Lauren, ’22, was drawn to UND because of the Pancratz Center’s resources. While attending Admitted Student Day in spring 2018, Lauren was blown away. “I immediately leaned over to my mom and said, ‘I am going to work there.’ A few months later, I was hired right before my freshman year began,” Lauren said.
While helping other students as a marketing assistant, Lauren was able to take advantage of the resources for her own professional growth. The biggest benefit was her mentorship from Alli. Lauren was connected to Alli after a career goal assessment, and it was a perfect match.
“Alli gave me real-world advice that put everything in perspective. She told me the truth and talked to me like a mentor instead of a recruiter,” Lauren said.
Lauren Cain, ’22 (left), and Alli Bauman, ’18 (right), worked together at the Pancratz Center as students. They have maintained a strong professional connection ever since.
For Alli, being a mentor is all about paying it forward. “I am a strong believer in the power of mentorship, and I wanted to give back to the students as people had previously done for me,” Alli said. Like many other mentors, her affinity for UND and the experience she gained as a student sparked her desire to connect with students.
Today, both Alli and Lauren enjoy careers enhanced by their time at UND and their involvement with the Pancratz Center. Alli continues to mentor students while Lauren is interested in becoming a mentor in the future.
I am a strong believer in the power of mentorship, and I wanted to give back to the students as people had previously done for me.Alli Bauman, ’18
LEAD THE NEXT GENERATION
Are you interested in becoming a mentor to a UND student? You can help students learn and grow in their field by applying to participate in the Mentorship Program.
