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Mentoring

Approximately 65 alumni and friends visited our classes during the 2004-2005 school year. They shared their experiences with students and served as valuable mentors and role models. Other alumni met with students in informal settings - over lunch, or at career workshops. Our students tell us that they value these interactions a great deal, and that they gain insights into career planning but also into their education.

Please contact vsprang@u.washington.edu if you are interested in visiting the department and meeting students.

Mentor Lunches by Year

2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08

The Department of Communication 2007-2008 Mentor Lunch Series

Featuring: Sally MacDonald , class of 1974
Freelance Reporter
Monday, May 5, 2008

Sally MacDonald received her BA in Journalism from the UW in 1974. She worked for two years for a small daily in Renton and came to The Seattle Times in 1976. At the Times, Sally worked as a beat reporter (higher education, King County government, and religion), general assignment reporter and feature writer. As religion reporter, she traveled to Costa Rica, Mexico and Israel on assignment. She retired in 2001, when the newspaper offered early retirement to reporters after a strike of the newspaper. Since then, she's worked as a freelance writer with her husband John, retired Times Travel Editor. Her freelance stories have appeared in the Times and other newspapers, Coastal Living and AAA magazines, and on several websites.

Sally, was inspirational and encouraging at our luncheon. She gave tips about freelancing that I will definitely use in the future, and even offered to edit future stories of mine before I pitch it to editors. We discussed blogging and the future of journalism, and despite our worries, she asserted a positive mentality. Thank you.

Chantal Anderson

I had never attended a UW career lunch before. I thought that the time to meet with someone who shared your passions was very valuable. It was particularly refreshing to hear from Sally MacDonald because she understands the business and the importance of persistance. All of her stories fed my curiosity about what it takes to transition from UW to making a career in journalism! Thanks.

Catherine Daley

I had a good time at the lunch and enjoyed the experience. It seemed as though I was the least experienced of all the students that attended (I just got accepted into the major this quarter) so everyone's comments were useful to me. It was great to hear all of Sally's stories and experiences. I am also glad that she gave us all her card and told us to send her material for revision. I think that will be very useful for me in the near future. Thanks.

George Gaprindashvili

I really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet with Sally MacDonald. I am graduating in June and it was very encouraging to speak with someone whose passion for journalism had taken them so far in life. Now, I just can't wait to get out there and do the same! Thank you!

Jena Vuylsteke

Featuring: James Cornell , class of 2001
Sales and Marketing, Office Max
Thursday, April 10

James Cornell works in sales and marketing for Office Max, western division. As a student at the UW, he worked for KOMO Radio 1000 and worked at Fox Sports Net Northwest, an affiliate station of Fox Sports Net, after graduation. Cornell is a dedicated Husky and has a lot of great advice for students ready to go out on the job market.

I really enjoyed our lunch with James Cornell. He is a great representation of a successful, motivated, and very down to earth person. Rather than telling us about how to move quickly up the power ladder, he shared ways in which we can prioritize, set goals, and use our passions to meet and fulfill those goals. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak with someone who approaches his day with joy and positivity; it was very refreshing!

Amy McCaslin

I am very glad I got to meet James Cornell. Being a recent UW grad it was good to hear how he found his way to a job that he really enjoys. He taught me that the right job is out there and it may be something you haven't thought of yet. The mentor lunch series is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain insider knowledge that will help them throughout their careers.

Julia Rice

Featuring: Ben Wilson, class of 1998
Director of Marketing & Research for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics/WNBA's Seattle Storm
Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Ben Wilson is the Director of Marketing & Research for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics, and WNBA's Seattle Storm. He began interning with the Sonics organization at virtually the same time he was accepted into the Communications department. Ben is responsible for overseeing the Sonics & Storm marketing strategy, including purchase and placement of media advertising, creative execution and grassroots promotional campaigns.

This was an amazing opportunity, to meet with Ben Wilson. I learned a lot about the marketing field and his job working for the Sonics. The information that I learned at this lunch has helped better prepare me for getting out into the work force and hopefully finding a job that I really love. This experience was invaluable, so thank you!

Kristen Johansson

I really enjoyed this luncheon! I have recently been working through an internship with a radio's promotions department and this gave me insight into another field of marketing that sounds interesting. Ben did a great job answering all our questions and offering insight into another fun and successful industry!

Kaleana Markley

Many communication undergrads are currently unaware of the opportunities this degree presents in the workplace. By having lunch with Ben Wilson the Sonics/Storm Marketing Manager, we were able to better understand how a communication degree can be applied to a specific field such as Marketing. Many students may find themselves contemplating a career in Marketing, with no professional insight. This opportunity was very insightful, especially if you question your future career path. Thank you.

Brad Holly

The mentor lunch with Ben Wilson was a very positive and informative experience for me. It was great to hear about all of the different opportunities that are available when working for a professional sports franchise. This meeting reassured me about the career path that I want to take because Ben is a great model for being persistent and knowing what you want in a career. Thank you.

Morgan Govaars

I thought the lunch was incredibly helpful in learning about sports marketing and more specifically the Sonic's organization. It was great to meet Ben Wilson and hear about his experience of breaking into the Sonics. It was also extremely helpful to hear directly from him what they look for in potential interns and how to get your foot in the door. Overall, it was a great opportunity and I really enjoyed meeting him and learning more about this potential career path. Thanks!!

Lindsey Thiry

I thought Ben was very personable and a fantastic speaker. His casual nature made the lunch comfortable, thus allowing the students to really open up about their questions. I thought it was quite beneficial. Thanks for the opportunity.

Shannon Fraser

Ben Wilson was very helpful and had lots of advice to give. It is great to hear from those who have made it in the industry to see what path they took to get to where they are; Ben is one of those people. The career lunch gave us the wonderful opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Marketing for the Sonics and Storm. His advice gives us the opportunity to see first-hand how important interning for a company can be.

Sandy Thuntarug

I really enjoyed meeting with Ben Wilson and learning about his experiences in getting to where he is today. It was definitely inspiring and his interests in sports and marketing reinforced my own passions in similar fields. We all appreciate him driving up to campus to meet with us!

Amy Ellen McCaslin

I thought it was very insightful hearing from someone as important as the Director of Marketing of the Sonics and Storm. I think it would be beneficial to make it a longer session. There really was not enough time to ask him all the questions that we had in mind.

Jia R. (Rex) Li

Featuring: Suki Dardarian, class of 1980
managing editor at The Seattle Times
Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Suki Dardarian is a managing editor at The Seattle Times, where she oversees the Metro and suburban news operations as well as the Sunday newspaper. She has been with the Times since 2000, and previously was senior editor at The News Tribune in Tacoma. She has received many honors, including the ASNE team deadline writing award and a series that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Before becoming an editor, Dardarian was a reporter for The Herald (Everett), The News Tribune and The Seattle Times. She was editor of The Daily while studying at the University of Washington.

I really enjoyed lunch with Ms. Dardarian. Her stories gave me a glimpse into The Seattle Times newsroom and the process the staff goes through to bring us the news. It was fascinating and made me appreciate the paper so much more, and want to work there! All in all, the lunch was informative and encouraging. Now I know if I am passionate, learn and work hard I can make it! Thank you.

Erinn Unger

The career lunch with Suki Dardarian was not only entertaining, but very interesting and helpful as well. She eagerly answered all questions asked of her, and seemed genuinely interested in what we wanted to do in the field of Journalism. It was certainly well worth the time.

Christian Caple

The luncheon with Suki Dardarian was a great opportunity to examine a few tools of the trade and gain some professional guidance for the coming years. Suki herself is lively and full of wit, and seems to have an endless supply of fantastic journalism anecdotes. I very much enjoyed time to pose any and all questions to a working, prominent journalist.

James Brown

The mentor lunch meeting with Suki Dardarian was an amazing opportunity and a fun way to spend an afternoon. She was incredibly friendly and offered great insight on the future of journalism from a definite position of expertise on the subject. Suki had great things to say about digital media and ethical decision making, and meeting with her was encouraging to me as I look forward to a journalistic career path.

Nick Feldman

The mentor lunch with Suki Dardarian was a fantastic opportunity. It was really inspiring listening to a woman who has had such similar experiences to my own, including being Editor in Chief of the Daily! I really enjoyed hearing her talk about her time at the UW and at the Seattle Times. Lunches like this should continue to be available for eager students.

Arla Shephard

Featuring Jenni Hogan, class of 2002
KOMO Morning News traffic anchor
Thursday, February 21, 2008

Jenni Hogan is the traffic anchor for the Morning News on KOMO from 5-7 a.m., as well as reports on transportation issues during other newscasts. She was born in Australia, and moved to the United States after being spotted by a University of Washington crew coach while competing in the Windermere Cup for the Australian National team. Graduating from UW with two National Championship rings and as Captain of the women's crew team, Jenni is excited to be back in Seattle cheering for her beloved Huskies. Jenni has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the last 10 years. Most recently she was in Portland working as the traffic reporter for KOIN-TV. She also spent a couple of years in Cougar territory at KLEW-TV in Lewiston, Idaho where she ran the sports department as the station's first female sports reporter.

I had a wonderful time at the mentor lunch with KOMO4's Jenni Hogan. It was such a blessing to get to meet her and hear how she made it in the industry. While speaking with Jenni about the steps she took to get where she is going now, I realized my dream isn't out of reach at all. Jenni's story helped me to understand that I determine where I go based on how determined I am. She was so inspiring to me and we're going to stay in touch. I'm so thankful for this wonderful opportunity!

Smith George

Meeting Mrs. Hogan's was an absolute delight. Her positive attitude and knowledge of the industry made this luncheon truly memorable. I know I will take many of her points of advice with me as I pursue a future in the broadcasting industry. Thanks again for the opportunity!

Michelle Low

Attending the lunch with Jenni Hogan was a great opportunity. Not only were her insights regarding broadcasting helpful, she had great advice for pursuing a career in general. It was encouraging to meet with her and I felt empowered and ready to take on my career as she had.

Erika Cederlind

Aside from the beautiful view and tasty food, lunch with Jenni Hogan was a delightful one. She encouraged all of us to persue our goals and to never give up, even if someone above us discouraged us. An inspiration, she gave us tips on how to obtain a career in broadcasting and gave us a glimpse of how a day in her shoes would unfold. Thanks!

Nicole Ciridon

Lunch was great. I really couldn't think of a complaint if I tried. Jenny was great. It was awesome having a conversation with someone who is not only successful but has so much pride for the UW and has such strong ties to it. I think if she didn't have those qualities it would have detracted from the experience as it would have made it harder to relate. Thanks again for setting this up. Have a great day.

Max Nazaryan

Featuring Lynne Varner
Editorial Writer, The Seattle Times
Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Featuring Mike Seely, class of 1996
Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Mike Seely is managing editor at Seattle Weekly. He got his start in journalism a couple years after graduation writing back-page satire pieces for the Weekly, under the tutelage of now editor-in-chief Mark D. Fefer, and soon evolved to writing features. He spent three-and-a-half years as a staff writer at the alt-weekly Riverfront Times in St. Louis, Missouri and won multiple national awards as a general assignment reporter. He returned to Seattle as a staff writer at the Weekly in March 2006, and was promoted to managing editor in August of that year.

Featuring Jim Schlueter,
VP-Communications, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Featuring Kerry Eleved,
News Editor, The Advocate
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Featuring My Tam Nguyen, class of 2006
City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development Community Relations, as a Public Relations Specialist
Friday, January 18, 2008

My Tam Nguyen works at the City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development Community Relations, as a Public Relations Specialist connecting communities to information on long range urban planning initiatives including the South Downtown area (Little Saigon, Chinatown/International District, Pioneer Square, etc.), Northgate, South Lake Union, etc. She founded and is currently a mentor for the Future Global Citizens Project, which empowers low-income minority youth to overcome hardships through seeking financial aid to attend college and learn about social justice, community service, global citizenship, and leadership education.

Having lunch with My Tam was very insightful. I am truly amazed by the amount of success that she has had at her young age. I am now aware of the extensive opportunities available to students and recent graduates, and that it is in my best interest to become as involved as possible.

Courtney O'Connor

The mentor lunch with My Tam Nguyen was a wonderful experience. Her enthusiasm was inspiring and her advice was indespensible.

Jessica Larson

Talking with My Tam Nguyen was a wonderful opportunity to explore my career options. She taught me the importance of internships and advertising oneself. I have gained more self-confidence in my skills and know my own road to success will be just as exciting.

Julia Rice

It was great meetig My Tam. She was a great networker. My thoughts about the lunch are that there should be more! I really enjoyed it and would love more opportunities to network with people, since it is such an important thing to do. Thanks.

Linsey Battan

My mentor lunch with My Tam probably will change my life path. She gave so many useful advice about setting our career goals and how to achieve them - especially with the UW being our greatest source for guidance and opportunities. I truly admire her amicable personality and her amazing life and career accomplishments. I have high hopes that this lunch will be the first of our many encounters.

Nhi Tran

The mentor lunch is a really great way to see what other fellow UW graduates are doing after graduation. It was interesting to learn about My Tam's experiences both in the university and internships as well as the job search.

Kelsi Kuech