Alumni connections pay off Serface met Bentley while a student, when he chose him as his Sloan mentor. As a partner in Alliant, a mergers and acquisitions boutique, Bentley had the experience to guide Serface to fulfill his ambition to work in technology venture capital or investment banking. Serface, an active networker himself, found that Bentley offered more than his other contacts. A mentor serves different roles for students, according to Sloan Director of Alumni Relations Carmon Cunningham, who oversees the mentoring program. A mentor who is a recent graduate can help students maximize their Sloan education and better position themselves to get a job.
Students also can tap into their mentor's larger network.
Serface appreciates Bentley's broader perspective. Most people become enamored of one thing and want to jump into it immediately after the MBA program without considering what their drivers are. As Serface gained the knowledge of finance and entrepreneurship needed to fulfill his ambitions, he relied on Bentley in evaluating career options. His experience and willingness to give open feedback and share huge wisdom really shaped my opinion of the opportunities out here. While others provided excellent pointers, Tom provided an unfettered view of how the Silicon Valley firms and companies are positioned versus one another and how each could propel my career.