College seeks alumni mentors to build valuable relationships with students

Cole Bakotic

Cole Bakotic was thrilled when alumnus Brett Lindquist offered to mentor him. The finance and accounting senior has a keen interest in creating wealth through real estate, already an obvious area of expertise for Lindquist, CEO of The Mortgage Firm. As it turns out, Bakotic, a member of the college’s inaugural James M. Seneff Honors Program, says he is gaining far more than industry advice. 

“Brett is an expert in sales as well as in real estate finance, so I’m learning some valuable lessons,” Bakotic said of Lindquist (Finance and Real Estate ’83). “He has taught me things like how to get a conversation started, how to actively listen, how to ask the best questions, how to prepare a 30-second elevator speech and that being on time means being at least five minutes early. He is an incredible life coach, helping me grow personally and professionally.” 

Brett Lindquist

The college believes no student’s education is complete without a solid grounding in how business works beyond the classroom and has always encouraged alumni to mentor students. The Business Mentoring Program provides an essential link between academic theory and business reality, says Marissa Mainwood, the college’s student engagement coordinator, who is on a mission to increase the number of alumni willing to mentor a student. 

Participating alumni say they also receive benefit in return for their time investment. Not only does mentoring Bakotic fulfill Lindquist’s desire to give back to his alma mater, but he also thoroughly enjoys imparting the wisdom he has amassed through his own experiences over the years. “When you share ideas with the students, they become ingrained in your own brain even more,” Lindquist said. “I also enjoy reflecting back on what helped make me a success and passing those things on,” he said. “It helps students become successful more quickly. 

“Students are sharp, but they don’t know yet what they don’t know, which is why I encourage them to have goals,” said Lindquist, who is chair-elect of the college’s Board of Governors. “I try to give them quick snippets of what they can do to be successful. For instance, as a student, you go to work maybe 15 hours a week, so it’s a culture shock when you have to work 40 hours a week and start at 8 or 9 in the morning. I tell them to take early classes so they can start practicing what they are going to be doing on the job.” 

The college’s mentorships are designed to last one semester, and mentors and their mentees are expected to communicate at least 30 minutes by phone, email or video conferencing once a week. Mentors are given suggested topics and timelines for discussing them. 

“We ask mentors to help students with things like discerning what particular job in their field they are really looking for and current trends in that area,” Mainwood said. Mentors are also asked to review general etiquette, offer tips on networking, discuss values and ethics, review resumes and cover letters, and advise students on what they should pay close attention to when they enter a career field and what employers expect of their employees, she said. 

Rahjuan Moore

“Mentorships involve sharing their own experiences, and our alumni are exceptionally generous in doing that,” Mainwood said. 

Finance senior Rahjuan Moore says he is grateful to be part of the program and particularly happy to be mentored by alumnus Michael Daniels (Finance ’86) of Michael Daniels Mortgage Professionals. “Michael has been so gracious to me and has discussed my options after I graduate and advice on how to become more confident,” Moore said. “He has been especially helpful as we go through this COVID-19 lockdown by talking with me on the phone and encouraging me to stay positive and do things like reading to ease my stress.” 

Michael Daniels

Daniels views encouragement as a major part of his role as a mentor. “We are all living through history with COVID-19, so it’s important we help family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers. As a mentor, I talk about developing good lifetime habits, like eating healthy, exercising, praying, journaling and giving back to people less fortunate. The most rewarding part to me as a mentor is being able to share my knowledge and experience because everyone who is successful in life has had help along the way, so now it’s my turn to give back.” 

To apply to be a mentor, click here. If you have questions about the college’s Business Mentoring Program, contact Mainwood at mmainwood@business.fsu.edu.

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By Barbara Ash