Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I chose to become a peer mentor because I have an interest in working with students in career services. I have always loved helping others, especially when it comes to bettering the futures of others. This is a huge resource that I wish I had as a freshman, so please reach out!
Where was your previous co-op?
I have had all three of my co-ops at Comcast and Schmear It. Comcast was my sophomore year co-op as an Enterprise Marketing Analyst in the Comcast Business sector. Schmear It is a bagel food truck that launched its first brick and mortar store in University City. I worked for them for two years learning the business, doing their social media marketing, and analyzing their costs.
Round received job (or independent search)
I found my Comcast job in A round and I found Schmear It through an independent search.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Grey’s Anatomy
Sarah DiPasquale
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: International Area Studies - Justice and Human Rights
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Email Sarah
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I want to share my experiences about my international co-op with all students that are interested in working abroad!
Where was your previous co-op?
My first co-op was as an English Language Teacher in Dalian, China, and my second co-op was as a Legal Assistant at an intellectual property company in Beijing, China.
Round received job (or independent search)
I got both of my co-op jobs during the first round due to the deadlines for International Co-op.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
The Handmaids Tale
Sumita Gangwani
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: BA, Environmental Studies & Sustainability /MS, Science, Technology, and Society
Hometown: Havertown, PA
Email Sumita
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to become a peer mentor in order to promote the diversity and opportunities the Drexel Co-op Program offers. My experience with coop was by far not traditional and allowed me to explore different areas, job opportunities, and skill sets. I personally felt like this experience has helped me grow into myself and pursue my passions, and I hope to promote that experience for others as well.
Where was your previous co-op?
My first was as at IKEA as a Corporate Communications Co-op and my second was at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) as a Sustainability, Energy & Innovation Co-op.
Round received job (or independent search)
I got my first co-op in A-Round and my second co-op was an independent search.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
How I Met Your Mother
Raquel Gresham
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Longport, NJ
Email Raquel
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I want to make the co-op process as smooth and comfortable as I can for other students.
Where was your previous co-op?
I worked as a Lactation Co-op in the Neonatal/Infant Intensive Care Unit in The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Round received job (or independent search)
A-round
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
I love to watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Tahmeed Jawad*
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Economics, Finance and Business Analytics
Hometown: Bristol, CT
*International Student Peer Mentor
Email Tahmeed
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I had multiple experiences during my first co-op, starting from getting one interview to getting several from top companies. My job forced me out of my comfort zone and turned me into an extrovert, reaching out to new people outside my team and building a lasting relationship with employers. I feel like both my good and bad experiences would be very beneficial for others to approach co-op in a different way.
Where was your previous co-op?
SAP America
Round received job (or independent search)
B-round
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
The Office
Rebecca John
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Finance and Business Analytics
Hometown: Lansdale, PA
Email Rebecca
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
Searching for co-ops can be a daunting process. When I first started interviewing, I was constantly nervous and felt down on myself. After researching, practicing, and consulting with older friends, I learned to manage my fear, and ended up getting the job I wanted, and I had a great experience. I wanted to become a peer mentor so that I could share what I have learned to help other students have a positive co-op experience.
Where was your previous co-op?
I worked at Korn Ferry Hay Group, which is an HR Management Consulting Firm, in the Operations department.
Round received job (or independent search)
B-round
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
The Office
Tharindu Mendis
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Negombo, Sri Lanka
Email Tharindu
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
Everyone has a different co-op experience each time they do a co-op. I had quite a unique co-op experience first time around and I believe I will be having an even more unique co-op in the fall. I am hoping to pool all this experience and knowledge together to help out other fellow students in making their co-op experience unique and memorable.
Where was your previous co-op?
Isaac L. Auerbach Cybersecurity Institute
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Chuck
Anna Mookerjee
Class Year: Class of 2019
Major: Electrical Engineering
with an Entertainment Engineering Minor
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Email Anna
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to be a peer mentor to be there for students going through their first co-op experience by sharing knowledge from my past experiences and to be a connection between the student body and Steinbright that I wish had existed when I was a freshman first going through the system.
Where was your previous co-op?
My first co-op was for Sirius XM in Lawrenceville, NJ
My second co-op was for iHeartMedia in San Francisco, CA and I am going back there for my final cycle.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
I binge watch How I Met your Mother if I'm in a comedy mood, One Tree Hill if I'm in a lighthearted drama kind of mood, or Supernatural if I want a bit of both.
Renee Saraka
Class Year: Class of 2021
Major: Chemical Engineering
Hometown: Ashley, PA
Email Renee
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to become a peer mentor to help other students navigate through the co-op search to find opportunities that are interesting and engaging to them. I want to be a resource to others when they are faced with the challenge of relating classroom experiences to real life work situations.
Where was your previous co-op?
Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc.
Round received job (or independent search)
A-Round
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
New Girl
Shawn Sullivan
Class Year: Class of 2019
Major: Finance & Business Analytics
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Email Shawn
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
When I reflect on my first co-op experience - from the search to the interviews - I would have benefited greatly from the advice of an older student. I hope to gain beyond the co-op experiences themselves and share what I have learned along the way with students who are searching for their dream co-op.
Where was your previous co-op?
(1) Willner Realty and Development Co. & (2) Chubb Insurance
Round received job (or independent search)
B-round
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Master of None
Aidan Toole
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Human-Centered Design
Hometown: Herndon, VA
Email Aidan
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I want to help other students get the best possible co-op, and offer my advice through my own personal experiences.
Where was your previous co-op?
Fantasy Interactive
Round received job (or independent search)
Independent
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
I'm currently watching Mind Hunter, Big Mouth, and Stranger Things Season 2.
Kevin Malachy Zaleski
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Finance
Hometown: Scranton, PA
Email Kevin
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to use my experience and knowledge as a pre-junior having been through co-op to guide and aid students. I think it's important for students to not only have academic and co-op advisors, but to also have peers who have gone through the process themselves who can help and guide them with whatever questions and concerns they may have.
Where was your previous co-op?
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Round received job (or independent search)
B-round
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Bob's Burgers
Kristi Zoga
Class Year: Class of 2019
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: Tirana, Albania
Email Kristi
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
The co-op process can be very stressful for a lot of students, especially those who do not have previous experience applying to jobs or who are not from the U.S. As someone who has already gone through the process, I would like to offer advice and tips to other students in order to make the co-op experience as meaningful and stress-free as possible!
Where was your previous co-op?
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Round received job (or independent search)
A-round
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
The Twilight Zone