Peer Mentor Program

Steinbright's Peer Mentor Program enables co-op students to get advice from students who have experienced the challenges you're going through and had the same questions you have about co-op.

Uncertain about anything related to co-op? Ask the students who have already been there!

Aliou Yattassaye

Class Year: Class of 2022
Major: Accounting and Finance
Hometown: Bamako, Mali

Email Aliou

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to be a peer mentor because of my desire to share my international study abroad experience as well as guiding my peers, so they can get the best out of their co-op journey.

Where was your previous co-op?
In my first co-op I was working as a capital accountant at the University of Pennsylvania, and in my second co-op I was working as a Risk Analyst at CHUBB.

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
The Big Bang Theory

Gabrielle Remo

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Marketing and International Business Co-major, Minor in Political Science
Hometown: Rockaway, NJ

Email Gabrielle

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
My goal in life is to advocate for others, and by being a peer mentor for Steinbright, I can be an advocate for success in my mentees' academic and professional careers. I also wanted to become a peer mentor to share the resources and knowledge I gained through mentorship.

Where was your previous co-op?
Paralegal intern at Thompson Law; town hall co-op at Comcast NBCUniversal

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
New Girl

Taran Marwaha

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Queens, NY

Email Taran

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to become a peer mentor because I remember how nervous I felt when I was applying to my first round of co-ops. I want to be there for others and make sure they feel confident going into this new experience by being able to answer any questions that may come up!

Where was your previous co-op?
My first co-op: wire design engineer at Belcan/Boeing; my second co-op: medical devices manufacturing engineer at Jabil

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Criminal Minds, Gilmore Girls, and The Seven Deadly Sins (in no particular order)

Nicole Alkhazov

Class Year: Class of 2021
Major: International Business, Technology Innovation Management
Hometown: New York, NY

Email Nicole

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
The advice and perspective I received from upper-class students when I first got to Drexel was in invaluable in helping me make the right career decisions. I'm looking to pay it forward!

Where was your previous co-op?
Currency intelligence at Crane Payment Innovation, product development associate at Comcast, private wealth management at Goldman Sachs

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
The Newsroom

Darrah Bortnick

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Email Darrah

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to become a peer mentor because when I was first starting Drexel as a commuter student, I found the adjustment really difficult, especially not being a student in the campus-living community. I was under a lot of stress, and had a lot of unsureness about a variety of issues related to school. I feel like if I had a mentor to talk me through it, everything may have been a lot easier for me. So, I really was inspired to be that someone to somebody else. That's why I am a peer mentor today.

Where was your previous co-op?
Estee Lauder, Merck

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Breaking Bad

Gedalia Koehler

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Email Gedalia

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I like interacting with and helping students. Mentoring and helping out is nice!

Where was your previous co-op?
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Lockheed Martin — Advanced Technologies Lab

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Avatar the Last Airbender

Ray Garland

Class Year: Class of 2022
Major: Marketing, Business Analytics, and International Business
Hometown: Stamford, CT

Email Ray

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
During my first co-op search, I was in the process of changing my major on top of being generally overwhelmed for my first professional job hunt. It was really stressful but I had a ton of support along the way, so I wanted to be that person for someone else.

Where was your previous co-op?
My first was at The Manna Tsatsaronakis in Crete, Greece with the Vidalakis Scholars program; next I was at Ditto PR in Brooklyn, NY as a communications interns; and third was a marketing intern at Night Kitchen Interactive in Philly. The second and third were entirely remote.

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Avatar the Last Airbender

Tajiana Oladapo

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Easton, PA

Email Tajiana

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to become a peer mentor because I understand how challenging balancing the co-op process and classes can be. I wanted to be able to help my peers and make the transition from classes to co-op a smooth one.

Where was your previous co-op?
The first was Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House; the second was Good Shepard Penn Partners

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Insecure

Kate Hazaveh

Class Year: Class of 2022
Major: BS in Software Engineering / Minor in Data Science
Hometown: Linwood, New Jersey

Email Kate

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to become a peer mentor in order to share my experiences as a co-op student and help Drexel students to get to their dream job and finding their passion.

Where was your previous co-op?
Vehicle software engineering intern at Aptiv (third experience); electrical engineering lead at NASA L'Space (second experience); full-stack software engineering intern at American Express (first experience)

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
It's a tie between American Horror Story and Black Mirror!

Justin Nguyen

Class Year: Class of 2022
Major: Business Economics, Business Analytics, Marketing
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Email Justin

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I'm looking to help those looking for guidance about internship, career, and co-ops just as my seniors helped me!

Where was your previous co-op?
Exelon (data analyst), Independence Blue Cross (project manager), Altria (data engineer)

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
One Piece

Christine Chang

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Marketing, Communications
Hometown: Lancaster, PA

Email Christine

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I learned more about myself and my professional interests more than ever during my first two co-ops, and I hope other students can gain a valuable experience as well. Going on co-op is an incredibly unique opportunity to meet people in your desired industry and to get a taste of the kind of work you'd want to do. I want to help others make the most of their time and be open to any opportunity out there.

Where was your previous co-op?
I was a research development communications co-op at the Drexel University Office of Research and Innovation for my first. I was a digital marketing co-op for College Avenue Student Loans for my second.

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
New Girl

Michael Mathews

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Robbinsville, NJ

Email Michael

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to become a peer mentor because I have a passion for helping people be the best versions of themselves that they could be, and I hope to leverage the wisdom, advice, lessons, successes, and failures gained from my past co-op experiences to help my fellow Drexel peers make the most out of their own co-op experiences.

Where was your previous co-op?
My previous co-ops were at Drexel University's Bhandawat Laboratory in Philadelphia, PA, and X-Nav Technologies, LLC in Lansdale, PA.

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Lost

Victoria Cordaro

Class Year: Class of 2022
Major: Finance and Business Analytics
Hometown: West Chester, PA

Email Victoria

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to help out others in their co-op search and interview process, as I know this time can be very overwhelming!

Where was your previous co-op?
SAP, PECO, J.P Morgan Chase Co.

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
The Office

Payal Patel

Class Year: Class of 2024
Major: Computing and Security Technology
Hometown: Edison, NJ

Email Payal

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I wanted to become a peer mentor to encourage and help Drexel students reach their career goals by offering advice that I learned through my past few years. I am very excited to meet new students and work with them to excel in their career aspirations.

Where was your previous co-op?
Systems development co-op – S&C Electric Company

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
White Collar

Caroline Walsh

Class Year: Class of 2022
Major: Fashion Design
Hometown: Cleveland, OH

Email Caroline

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I felt that my co-op search was unique as I used both the Drexel system and an external search to land my co-op. I went with a co-op outside the system, but I hope my experience taking both paths will allow me to help people in many different scenarios.

Where was your previous co-op?
Victoria's Secret, working with the sportswear design team

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Grey's Anatomy

Yaseen Ahmid

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Supply Chain Management and Logistics, Finance, Business Analytics
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa

Email Yaseen

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
Finding internships that align with your desired career path can be extremely difficult. I wanted to share my experiences and provide insight into how students can utilize resources on campus to accelerate their professional development and ultimately attain their dream internships. I love helping others succeed.

Where was your previous co-op?
The Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC): Facilities and Real Estate

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Rick and Morty

Laura Le

Class Year: Class of 2024
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Lansdowne, PA

Email Laura

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I want to be able to give relatable advice to new students who will be dealing with the same challenges as I did while applying for and during co-op. I have extensive knowledge of noncorporate work environments — especially nonprofits — and I will be able to help those going into an untraditional workplace. I also want to be a supportive and encouraging friend to those who feel alone during the process!

Where was your previous co-op?
The Community Center at Visitation for Marketing and Communications

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
New Girl and Avatar The Last Airbender

Ezri Yuen

Class Year: Class of 2021
Major: Biology
Hometown: Kapolei, HI

Email Ezri

Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
Through co-op, I have experienced and worked with many different kinds of people, including co-workers and supervisors, and worked in both office and non-office environments. I want to be able to share my experiences and what I’ve learned with other students so they can get the most out of their co-op experience, even if it isn’t knowledge in their major or career study.

Where was your previous co-op?
Temple School of Medicine under the Department of Neurology working with doctors and other clinicians for ALS clinical research

What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Food Network’s Chopped

Jernee Watson

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Biomedical Engineering

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Timothy Murphy

Class Year: Class of 2023
Major: Finance

Email Timothy

Josephine Gonzalez

Class Year: Class of 2022
Major: Custom Design Major

Email Josephine