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 were your previous co-ops?
I worked at Korn Ferry Hay Group, which is an HR Management Consulting Firm, in the Operations department, at Glenmede Investment Management in the Quantitative Research Group, and my third is at Springboard Collaborative as a Research Coordinator.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
The Office
Mary Claire McCullough
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Music Industry, concentration in Recording Arts & Music Production (RAMP)
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Email Mary Claire
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I know that the first co-op search and experience can be very daunting and stressful, and I want to help calm and reassure people during their first co-op process. I also believe that my experience as a MIP/EAM (Music Industry Program/Entertainment and Arts Management) summer co-op student will be helpful for those also in those programs or those interested in an independent search.
Where was your previous co-op?
Mind the Gap, and now I'm at Cambridge Sound Studios.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Game of Thrones
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 were your previous co-ops?
Isaac L. Auerbach Cybersecurity Institute and HedgeServ
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Chuck
Sudhanshu Pareek
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Business and Engineering
Hometown:Jaipur, India
Email Sudhanshu
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
Searching for independent and international co-ops were a challenging task. Although I knew which industry I was looking for (automotive and aerospace), I didn’t know what role would suit me with my skill set and provide me an opportunity to grow. I would like to help the prospective students who are in the same shoes by sharing my personal experiences.
Where were your previous co-ops?
Airbus, and my second and third were at Tesla, Inc.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
I’m not that much of a TV person but I do enjoy Friends, HIMYM, and The Big Bang Theory.
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 were your previous co-ops?
Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc. and AdvanSix
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
New Girl
RAIHANAH SIDDIQ
Class Year: Class of 2020
Major: Entertainment and Arts Management
Hometown: West Philadelphia, PA
Email Raihanah
Why did you want to become a peer mentor?
I want to become a peer mentor so I can help guide other Westphal students with finding co-ops in their field. When I was looking for my first co-op, it was difficult and frustrating, so now I want to help people that might be in a similar situation.
Where was your previous co-op?
My previous co-op was at Peter Valentino Productions in Los Angeles. There I worked on film development, screen writing, production, and basically everything else that dealt with creating a film.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Death Note (Anime)
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 were your previous co-ops?
Fantasy Interactive and Facebook
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
I'm currently watching Mind Hunter, Big Mouth, and Stranger Things Season 2.
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
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 were your previous co-ops?
Thermo Fisher Scientific, JPMorgan, and my third is at Vanguard.
What is your favorite TV show to binge watch?
Bob's Burgers