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Abraham Lincoln said: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”   And Ken Dixon, candidate for MEd, Sports Management, got lucky --- but with the help of LinkedIn, a business-oriented social networking site.

Ken joined the Xavier University Mentoring Program early 2010.  Steve Joern, Class of 1964, through the suggestion of Leigh Ann Fibbe --- director of the 1831 Society --- decided to volunteer as a mentor. Ken and Steve connected and had their first mentoring session in October 2010. While Ken had recently graduated, he had been working and rising through management positions in the retail food industry. Steve was a thirty year plus manager at IBM --- and felt he could better mentor someone who was a masters student or someone who had some serious work experiences.

 

In that session, Steve happened to mention the value of LinkedIn.  He had just made a connection with a former IBM colleague from Australia whom he had not talked with in over 6 years. Steve’s ”new found friend” had a connection Steve was trying to get to and was helpful in making an introduction.  As Steve was telling this story, Ken became more interested in LinkedIn and indicated he would update his LinkedIn profile.  Ken even added the Xavier Alumni as one of his LinkedIn groups. 

 

In their first and second mentoring sessions, much of Ken and Steve's discussion was centered on Ken’s very dogged efforts to obtain interviews and then land an internship  --- a key requirement in his MEd Sports Management program.  While Ken had several successful interviews and very good prospects, decisions by organizations were not being made in a timely manner.  Though frustrated, Ken continued to be very professional and sent “thank you notes” and follow-up e-mails.

 

The LinkedIn kicked in!  Ken had tailored his updated LinkedIn profile to indicate he was looking for an internship opportunity with a sports organization --- or an organization that has a department orprogram that was sports oriented.  In January 2011, Ken got a call from a Cincinnati-based sports organization that saw him name in teh Xavier Alumni LinkedIn group---and they were looking for an intern with Ken's caliber. 

Ken interviewed --- it was a match --- he negotiated his internship hours and responsibilities --- and now everyone has benefitted. 

 

The moral of the story: We all have something to offer and gain in mentoring relationships, although it may not be obvious by looking at ones career background or major choice.  Be ok with unconventional mentoring relationships!