IABCLA and USC IABC Hold “Vibrant” Mentoring Event

IABCLA and the IABC chapter at the University of Southern California (USC) partnered on a 360 “speed mentoring” function on March 18 at the campus. Twenty students and ten mentors were on hand — the students are pursuing master’s degrees at Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and the mentors included IABCLA board members. 

Image: Tery Amaya

The “speed mentoring” format allowed the students to seek advice from multiple people. They queried the professionals on various topics, including career paths in the communications field, qualities recruiters seek in candidates, and the current landscape for comms roles in Southern California. 
 
Grant Wright, CEO at (W)right On Communications, was one of the mentors. He enjoyed taking part, and he described his conversations with this next generation of communicators as “vibrant and engaging.”
 
Vinisha Kothari, head of the USC IABC chapter, coordinated the happening. She was also pleased by the success of the gathering and that meaningful connections were formed. 

“Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen, especially our wonderful mentors who volunteered their evening to share their wisdom,” she said. “When I became president of the USC IABC chapter, I knew my priority would be to set up a mentorship program — I was introduced to IABC through a mentor who has been instrumental to my success in my career and education, and I wanted to make sure other students had similar opportunities.”  

(Note: I’m IABCLA's vice president of operations, and I often post updates on chapter happenings.)