HONORABLE MENTION: "The Role of My Mentor in Achieving My Dreams"
Camille Smith, University of Maryland - College Park, protégé

If you were to ask me as a little girl what I wanted to be when I grew up, I knew wholeheartedly what that answer was. I, Camille Smith, was going to be a lawyer because I wanted to help other people and be there for those who were less fortunate. Yes, that was my dream and I had every intention of fulfilling it. The moment I found out I was pregnant though, my whole life turned upside down. At the early age of sixteen I was going to be a single mother. I can remember suddenly feeling overwhelmed by a strange mix of emotions. I had no idea what was in store for me and I didn't know how my dreams of becoming a lawyer would fit into my new reality. I would question my plans even more when my teachers and high school counselors would tell me that I needed to be more realistic. Fortunately, there were a handful of people who believed enough in me to motivate me to continue. Because of the support from family, I was able to pursue my education and enroll full-time in college at the University of Maryland.

I continue to keep in contact with my mentor in order to share my new experiences with her and seek her advice on career related decisions. ~ Camille Smith

It was during my sophomore year that I first heard of MentorNet. I had recently changed my major to computer science, and had learned that the college encouraged its female students to participate in the program. By the beginning of my junior year I was matched with my mentor - Elizabeth J. Smith, IBM Global Services General Manager for General Electric. Hearing so much about the values and benefits of mentoring had made me very excited, but I was still nervous about how our first conversation would go. Acting upon MentorNet's suggestion of possible ways to contact my mentor, I prepared myself to make a phone call. I was so relieved at Liz's ability to make me feel comfortable. She informed me that she was not new to the process and actually mentored several students from all over. I copiously took notes as we talked, determined not to forget anything about her life story and her experience as a woman in the field of computer technology. We agreed that our mentoring relationship would be open and that we would talk over the phone and use e-mail as another way to communicate. Our first conversations were guided by MentorNet. I forwarded her my résumé and asked for feedback, and we talked about some of the challenges that women generally face in the IT fields. She shared with me her experiences and the ways that she effectively overcame some of the obstacles. In addition to those experiences, we talked about the benefits of having a doctoral or master's degree. I constantly asked Liz for advice about graduate school as I contemplated the career paths ahead of me. Although I wanted to jump into graduate studies right after completing school, Liz encouraged me to consider other options as well. She told me about how tuition reimbursement programs, offered by companies, helped employees continue their education. Since I was a single mother, she shared with me her thoughts about how this might help me financially. I was very delighted about her openness and soon became interested pursuing a degree through work.

After a while, I was able to come up with my own ideas and reasons for contacting Liz. I always appreciated the fact that she made herself available anytime I wanted to talk, and that she responded promptly to my emails. As the end of the spring semester approached, Liz and I discussed the possibility of obtaining an internship with IBM. In prior summers I had worked as an intern for TRW. I now looked forward to getting my foot in the door with IBM and having that experience on my résumé. With the help and guidance of my mentor, I succeed in landing the position at IBM. I also became more involved on campus - participating in events with the Society of Women Engineers and chartering a new student group, CMPS S.C.O.R.E., aimed at recruiting and retaining underrepresented students in the fields of math and science.

Discovering and realizing the importance of a mentoring relationship motivated me to participate in many other programs on campus. As a P.R.I.M.E. (Providing Research Internship and Mentoring Experiences) scholar for two years, I was able to mentor incoming freshman interested in pursing a technical major. To know that I was making a difference in their lives, just as my mentor was doing in mine, was very rewarding. I not only enjoyed helping students transition into college life, but I also enjoyed helping them understand what to expect and what it took to succeed in their studies. I was able to direct them to a number of resources and talk with them about the benefits of becoming socially and academically involved on-campus. I helped them understand the importance of getting to know their professor, seeking help early and developing good time management skills. Being a student mentor was one of my best experiences as an undergraduate student.

Having a mentor in my life has helped me to focus and remain diligent about my academic and career goals. I still remember one of the most important pieces of advice my mentor shared with me early in our relationship. She explained that too often women in the technical fields settle and become complacent when they've reached a certain level of success. My mentor taught me that I should always pursue my goals and dreams, constantly assess where I am in relation to them, and do what is necessary to continue to reach them. She explained that I shouldn't settle for a position that wasn't going to provide me with the challenge and fulfillment that I needed in life.

Liz has been a person that I have confided in when feeling overwhelmed as a single parent, stressed out about school, or upset about not making the grades I wanted. She has encouraged me constantly to look at the big picture and not to focus so much on the small obstacles that I may have to face along the way. As I pursued my degrees in Computer Science and Spanish, I was able to look up to her as a role model for success - a woman with experience in International Business and insight into the challenges associated with women, culture, and leadership.

After completing my undergraduate degree last fall, I accepted an offer to work as a technical consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton. I hope to go back to school next year to pursue a master's degree and prepare myself for work in International Business. After talking with Liz, I know that I have an interest to remain in the IT field. She has helped me to realize the ways in which I am still able to fulfill my childhood dreams of helping other people. I continue to keep in contact with my mentor in order to share my new experiences with her and seek her advice on career related decisions. Last month I joined the MentorNet community once again, only this time as a professional mentor with the desire to be connected to undergraduate mentees. As an African-American, single mother, and woman professional in the field of computer technology, I hope that I can be an inspiration to others who may travel a similar path. I hope that I am able to encourage young females not to be afraid of going after their goals, challenging them to form those valuable relationships that make it possible for them to emerge as leaders.