Ingrid Medina
Initially, when it came to my SWOT analysis, I had a hard time self-reflecting a year ago. Looking into who we are and what we want has played a big role in being more confident and knowing myself better. I’ve also been able to receive coaching sessions for resumes, cover letters, college essays, LinkedIn, etc. I wouldn’t have had this guidance if not for this program. Being a part of this program has shown me what to expect in a professional setting. It’s played an important role in my growth this past year, in more ways than one. The program helped me strategize how to work on my presentation skills during our meetings. Public speaking has been something I have always struggled with, but throughout the past year, having had more exposure has helped me disguise how nervous I get to the interviewer. We’ve prepped for informational interviews by role-playing with our mentors, which has helped me practice answering interview questions. The job shadow day was also an opportunity where we got to apply all the skills we learned and networked with departments of our interest.
Jessica Rincon Nieto
Going into the program, I wasn’t very good at public speaking and would always get nervous. The program was a safe space for me to grow and better my communication skills with events like the mock career fair, and the elevator pitches. Having my mentor support me throughout also helped me grow tremendously as she was very patient and kind when practicing speeches. Overall, I feel much more comfortable going into interviews and putting myself out there, I can’t wait to continue to use these new skills in my future.
Ka’Sheer Cassett
It is almost impossible to put into words what this program provided for me. I can truthfully say that this program has transformed me into a better version of me that I never knew existed, a more professional, vibrant, and organic soul that again, I never knew existed. In my opinion, there is a difference between a role model and a mentor. A role model to me is someone we look up to and inspire to be, like the next Lebron James, Tom Brady, or Serena Williams. But we cannot go to them for advice late in the midnight hour, or conveniently pick up the phone and call them. On the other hand, a mentor, in my opinion, is someone like me and you. A mentor is someone that you do not necessarily have inspire to be like, but rather someone that is always in your corner and will help guide you through. That is one of the biggest realizations I took away from this program. To know so many people and even some of my own family and friends, who don’t have that mentor in their lives. It makes me feel special and beyond thankful that I can now say I have a mentor in my life. To end, the program transformed all my mistakes into skills, from becoming a fluent speaker during any presentation or group projects, to knowing how to “sell myself” through a quick elevator pitch, and most importantly of all, learning the tricks and trade of how to conduct myself in an interview and finding my “why” in life.
Noah Bernstein
The program helped me grow as a professional, especially with advertising myself during interviews or elevator pitches.
Samuel Cartagena-Sergenian
This program helped me develop my soft-skills and has helped prepare me for my future career in ways that my classes have not.
Jake Black
The Sanofi Mentorship program helped me vastly in my journey towards my career, my personal growth as a person, and in networking and gaining helpful social skills. I learn more so where I might go with my career but that it is also ok to fail and/or go down a different fork in the road. I also feel like I am very much better prepared to conquer my education and career journey ahead with the variety of skills I learned. I am also more confident and hopeful about the future. I definitely was not so sure about this back in the summer of 2020 when this program started. I have changed drastically and for the better from when I started this program and I highly recommend that other Raritan Valley students apply for this program. It was such a great experience and was not only fun but extremely helpful and informational.
Raven Ferguson
Sanofi Corporate Mentor Program has helped me grow immensely as a professional, and as a person. I achieved every single one of my goals that I set at the beginning of the program and more. I am now confident in my professional skills and ability to succeed and achieve amazing things in the corporate world. I know that wherever I end up in the future, I will always have an amazing team of mentors (Alicia, Shay, Michelle, Paragi, and some of the other mentors I met with!) on my side to provide me with advice, support, and friendship.
Alyssa Freda
My time in the Sanofi Corporate Mentorship Program has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve seen a great deal of growth in myself, both personally and professionally. Before this program, I lacked confidence in myself and my professional abilities, but now feel more prepared than ever to continue building my career.
Carmen Looi
This program has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I have seen myself grow from a shy and unprepared student to a more confident and well-prepared student ready to face any challenges in my career journey. I am also grateful for the networking opportunities given to us not only through the Job Shadow Day but in every meeting we had.
Elijah Perlman
The activities in the program, the things you learn, and the connections you make are undoubtedly priceless. I have seen extraordinary growth in everybody involved and am so excited to see where we all end up. For myself, the program helped me achieve the goals I started with, such as narrowing down a major and becoming a better presenter. It also helped me develop into a more professional version of myself, which will be immensely useful in the real world. It is unlike any program I have ever seen, and I am incredibly grateful that I could be a part of it.
Umair Amer
“The Sanofi Corporate Mentor Program helped me master my interviewing skills. Before Sanofi, I did not know how to interview effectively. I would get nervous and not know how to give a proper answer. With the help of Sanofi, I was able to strengthen my weaknesses. After a few weeks of practicing, I put my skills to the test by interviewing at pharmacy schools. I was admitted to every pharmacy program that offered me an interview. This was a very proud moment for me, and I could not have done it without the help from Sanofi.” - Umair Amer
Syed Mumtaz
“The program was able to convert me from an unprofessional student back in September, to now a professional and confident student. I would have never though that at the end of this program, I would be offered a full-time co-op position at Johnson & Johnson. if it were not for this program building me into the person I am today, I would not have even thought about applying for a position like this. The program has given me all the confidence I need to be able to believe in myself and pursue high end opportunities.” - Syed Mumtaz
Janet Adelek
"Sanofi Corporate Mentor Program has given me the chance and opportunity to be a better person. I am proud of who I am coming out of this program"
“Being part of this program help to understand how to relate and communicate effectively in a professional setting.” - Janet Adeleke
Viridiana Martinez
"I have really grown on a personal level, as well as professionally, because of this Program. Thank you."
“I know how to present myself in a professional manner.” - Viridiana Martinez
Barbara Kania
“I have grown so much from this program and I enjoyed every minute with all of these amazing people. I love the fact that we get to work with INROADS and Sanofi – it makes a really nice mix of different professional advice. I really valued the Mentee Academy days!” - Barbara Kania
Peter Patino
“Unstructured format lead to move natural and organic relationships.”
“I was able to communicate and maintain relationships. Setting goals and achieving them.” - Peter Patino
Carlos Pareja
“Amazing program that helped greatly in my professional development. Gives a view as to what life could be like after college education and got to learn about important skills not learned in a classroom.”
- Carlos Pareja
Thomas Boon
“The program has developed another side to my character and life experience. I believe I have an advantage over my peers and co-applicants for future jobs because I understand how to maintain professionalism. It is as if I am an actor and have learned how to perform in a new genre. It is invigorating to know what the corporate environment and jobs are looking for. I have developed more as a human being from this Program.” - Thomas Boon
Veronica Delmonte
“I really enjoyed the Job Shadow Day because it was more realistic in experience, in the sense that, I was able to meet different people with different positions who are able to help others. It was very educating because I have never been in a corporate Setting and it made the experience even better.”
- Veronica Delmonte
Maham Baig
“By meeting every month with professionals from Sanofi, it helped me to network and be more confident in a professional setting. In addition, the INROADS meeting was very helpful in getting the specific skills and tips.” - Maham Baig
Mark Romero
“INROADS meetings have given me more confidence in networking and having a proper professional etiquette and appearance.” - Mark Romero
Samuel Hernandez
“I learned how to act and speak when it comes to the corporate world. Also, learning how to dress and body language is very important as well.” - Samuel Hernandez
Aaliyah Williams
“The program has truly changed my life. The hands-on experience has allowed me to grow in my professional, academic and personal life. It is clear that the mentors showed dedication to every mentee.” – Aaliyah Williams
Alyssa Darden
“I am more comfortable in professional settings and I am able to make an impression by advocating for myself.” – Alyssa Darden
Maxine Opida
“I was able to connect with many people from Sanofi who are willing to help me throughout my professional career; networking with them during my job shadow helped me to learn how to talk to professionals.” – Maxine Opida
Kuziva Shoko
“The program aided me with a lot of networking skills from an ordinary conversation with an executive to a career fair (both simulation and actual). I definitely broadened my horizon and network web.” – Kuziva Shoko
Jen Saad
“Practicing the elevator pitch, as well as the academics helped me understand how to hone my skills. Talking to professionals at Sanofi provided real experience with networking.” – Jen Saad
Valeria Gutierrez
“This program has helped me so much! I did not only grow professionally but I grew as a person. My mentor not only helped me with the program projects but also gave me personal advice and helped me out.” – Valeria Gutierrez
Jay Shah
“I have improved a lot on my communication skills and time management skills.” – Jay Shah
Pablo Portillo
“The Sanofi Corporate Mentor Program has helped me become a better individual, student, and professional. The program has broadened my horizon and expanded my network.” – Pablo Portillo
Elizabeth DeFazio
“This program offers students an amazing opportunity to build confidence, develop professional skills and network with Sanofi employees. The Sanofi mentorship program has opened many doors for me and I am forever grateful.” – Elizabeth DeFazio
Juan Galindo
“The experience was priceless and I have recommended it to as many people as possible. This program has given me a serious edge in my professional path.” – Juan Galindo
Romain Amrani
“The RVCC Sanofi Mentor Program has created a support group of Sanofi professionals and like-minded, hardworking students in order to drive improvement and a better understanding of personal goals and networking skills.” – Romain Amrani
Kevin Asiain
“The program developed my networking skills and prepared me to be comfortable with interviewing.” – Kevin Asiain
Johanna Sailema
“I have made many mistakes but what was important was that I learned from them. Alicia helped me so much with recognizing my accomplishments. There is so much I have done and failed to recognize it because I am hard on myself. The program helped me grow professionally and personally.” – Johanna Sailema
Sakshi Kulshrestha
“I think that my networking and professional skills definitely improved since I practiced a bunch of self-relaxation techniques before approaching people. I also conducted research so I knew what I was going to talk about when I interacted with others.”– Sakshi Kulshrestha
Andrew Beach
“I have been truly blown away at the impact this program has made in me. I am so thankful for the support of all the mentors, and Alicia, Shay, and Michelle. I would recommend this program.” – Andrew Beach
Hien Ngo
It encouraged me and others to be better. It brought us positive changes and experiences that we could not find at other places. We were encouraged and supported by many nice people. We improved our self-confidence. We were one step closer towards our future goals. We were a family of people who worked hard towards our goals and for a brighter future.” - Hien Ngo
Cristian Perez
“The Sanofi mentorship program helped me in ways that I did not expect. I thought I was going to be assisted with resume building and networking skills, two things that are now in good shape. However, the program also me self-reflect on my strengths and weaknesses, something that I haven't done before in great detail. The conversations I had with my mentor forced me to make a plan for my future and that plan will help me navigate any problem that will arise in my career and professional life.” - Cristian Perez
Julia Vroom
"I have gained more confidence in myself, both personally and professionally. I have gained a clearer insight into what I want to do with my future, along with gaining the necessary skills needed to achieve my goals.” - Julia Vroom
Anne-Gaelle Joseph
“The program has allowed for character development and growth to take place all while learning about the corporate world. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and everyone who has contributed to its success! This program really does change lives and I am so happy it was able to transform mine!” - Anne-Gaelle Joseph
Luke Ingenito
“I am now extremely confident in myself and in my skillset and as a result I am able to hold a conversation with extremely accomplished corporate employees without being nervous. I have also established many networking relationships that I plan to use in the future (the effective development of my LinkedIn account played a major role in this).” - Luke Ingenito
Katelyn McLaren
“Sanofi has helped me grow personally and professionally. It is a safe space where you learn and develop your professionalism skills. Developing a personal relationship with my mentor gave the opportunity to work on specific challenges I may have been facing.” - Katelyn McLaren
Palak Shah
“The Sanofi Mentorship program helped me grow into a more confident person and equipped me with soft skills that I can use in any professional setting. The program guided me through resume building, to interviewing skills to networking. I have gained a mentor for life and I am grateful to be part of the program.” - Palak Shah
Dominick Bello
“The Sanofi mentorship was a great experience. I made lifelong friends and learned so much in such a short amount of time. It helped grow my personal brand and become much more professional. I'm very confident now that once I get out of college, I will use everything I learned from this program to land a job at a large tech firm with ease.” - Dominick Bello