For many students, moving from college to a career can feel uncertain. There are applications, rejections and lots of questions about what comes next. At NC State, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IE) Mentorship Program helps students during this time by connecting them with alumni who have navigated similar challenges.

For Humna Bari and Harsh Patel, that connection was more than a conversation. It became a turning point.

Finding Direction in Uncertainty

Like many students nearing graduation, Humna Bari, a Senior in Poole College of Management, was looking for direction. Even though she applied to many jobs, the process proved discouraging.

“I kept mindlessly applying to various companies and positions and getting rejection email after rejection email,” she recalled.

It was not until she attended a company showcase and heard about the mentorship program that things started to change. Motivated to change her approach, she applied and was matched with two mentors; one focused on business and the other on data, both aligned with her career interests.

That choice turned out to be a key moment.

A Full-Circle Moment

For Harsh Patel (Industrial Engineering, 2019), becoming a mentor was firmly rooted in his own experience as a student. During his graduate studies in 2017, he had a mentor who helped guide him through important career decisions.

“That guidance made a huge difference in my confidence and direction,” he said.

Years later, after building a career in data analytics and data science, and currently working as a Lead Data Analyst at U.S. Bank, Harsh wanted to give back in the same way. The IE Mentorship Program gave him the chance to support students who were facing the same uncertainty he once did.

Building a Meaningful Connection

Through the program, Harsh was introduced to Humna, and the two quickly connected. What started as an introductory conversation grew into a collaborative mentoring relationship concentrated on practical growth.

“We spoke about interviewing, my resume and experiences, different companies and more,” Humna said.

Together, they worked through both technical and behavioral interview strategies, improving her approach and helping her communicate her strengths more effectively. But beyond the tactical advice, the mentorship provided something equally important: confidence.

For Harsh, the experience was just as significant.

“Seeing her determination to improve and actively seek feedback reinforced how important mentorship can be at the right time,” he shared.

Turning Advice into Opportunity

The timing of the mentorship proved critical. Shortly after being matched with her mentors, Humna received an invitation to a final-round interview.

This time, she approached it differently.

By applying the insights and strategies she had gained through mentorship, she was able to handle the process with greater clarity and confidence – and ultimately secured a post-graduate position.

Her story shows an important truth about mentorship: sometimes, the right guidance at the right time can change everything.

Growth on Both Sides

While Humna gained direction and confidence, Harsh found that mentoring yielded its own kind of growth.

The experience made him reflect on his own journey, express his lessons more clearly and be more intentional about helping others. It also helped him reconnect with NC State in a meaningful way.

“The mentorship program made my alumni experience feel much more personal and impactful,” he said. “It made me feel like I’m still part of the NC State community.”

For Humna, the effect extended beyond landing a job. The relationships she built continue to shape her perspective.

“My interactions with my mentors allowed me to gain more confidence in myself, my skills and my abilities,” she said. “I value having those connections to share advice and offer help as I continue to grow.”

Strengthening the Pack

The IE Mentorship Program is more than a professional resource; it is a bond between past and present members of the NC State community.

For students, it offers guidance, encouragement and a clearer way forward. For alumni, it provides a way to give back and connect with current members of the pack.

From Humna’s persistence to Harsh’s commitment to giving back, their story shows what makes mentorship powerful. It is not just about sharing advice, but about growing together.