How far could you go if you were mentored by a business executive? Students enrolled in Niagara University's College of Business Administration have opportunities to join a mentorship program where they can learn and grow under area professionals.
Olivia Novack, ‘24, a food and CPG marketing major at Niagara, was introduced to the mentorship program this year. When Novack applied to the program, she shared her preferences, areas of interest, and career goals to find the best mentor match for her. Novack was paired with Michael Keating, the senior vice president of Wegmans Food Markets Buffalo division.
Olivia Novack, ‘24, a food and CPG marketing major at Niagara, was introduced to the mentorship program this year. When Novack applied to the program, she shared her preferences, areas of interest, and career goals to find the best mentor match for her. Novack was paired with Michael Keating, the senior vice president of Wegmans Food Markets Buffalo division.
“Mike matched with my major perfectly because I want to pursue a career in marketing for a major food and CPG company," Novack said. "I know Wegmans is a big corporation where I can do that."
Keating has assisted Novack in resume building, interview preparation, career counseling, and identifying which companies are most compatible with her interest. In recent discussions, Keating shared opportunities that come along while studying for her MBA, and the impact it will have on her career. Wegmans was be a huge foundation in her early development. Keating then guided Novack through the Wegmans' application process and advocated for her during the interviews for the store coordinator position.
“Mike helped me get a position at Wegmans in Niagara Falls," she said. "He encouraged me to go in for an interview so that I could learn more about the company and qualify for upcoming internship positions. I went in for the interview and also mentioned my relationship with Mike. I got the job!”
The mentorship program has created strong and personable relationships between students and current industry leaders. The relationship that Keating and Novack share is just one of many experiences that other students share with their mentor. These relationships continue several years after graduation and often become lifelong mentorships.
“I would recommend the mentorship program to all students," Novack said. "(When we're) 18 and 19 years old, we don’t know what we are doing. It’s difficult even in my business program to narrow down exactly what route I want to take. It’s nice having a person that has that experience and able to guide you through your journey."