Get One. A Mentor.

I am so incredibly privileged to be mentored by a woman who is such a beautiful and dedicated person. We were paired together by the Student Support Services Program (SSS) at CSUDH and Women and Philanthropy of Carson, California. Her name is Alison Bruesehoff, Director of Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum.

We were introduced in Spring of 2010, but not in person. There was a luncheon that took place on campus where students and the organization (Women and Philanthropy) could get acquainted. It was in the evening that day and I had a class that I couldn't miss so I arrived at the luncheon when it was almost over.

A few weeks later, my SSS advisor told me that I had been paired with Alison and that she thought we'd do well together. It took a few more weeks before we met. Since meeting, we've become friends and I cherish the wisdom she shares with me.

Not only does she make herself available to meet with me, but she invites me in. She includes me and my children to attend and participate in various special events that are held at the museum. We go out to lunch and I can volunteer whenever I want. There are no walls in between our relationship and it's apparent that we come from two different backgrounds.

What we have in common is a drive to succeed and an unselfish desire to help others.

Alison is a wealth of knowledge for me on so many levels. She is an established professional and a wife. So much more, but those two titles are positions that I'm (currently) curious about holding myself. I'm so grateful to have her in my life to answer the inquiries that I have.

It's like having an educated and experienced big sister who does not judge my actions. Rather, she listens to my thoughts and helps me sort through them. She observes my actions while helping me to find balance with the paths that I've chosen. She encourages me to follow my passion(s) and to pursue my dreams. I love her! :)

This is my first experience with a mentor and I can't imagine not having one now.