During my time in the business school, I applied and was accepted into the Memphis Institute for Leadership Education, which pairs top business students with mentors from local companies for the academic year. Throughout the 2011-2012 school year, I participated in organized events along with 50+ other pairs and some events one-on-one with my mentor. It was during my time in the MILE program that I found my passion for personal development. Of course, I was given opportunities to discuss and explore possible career paths and prepare for applying for internships. However, I really enjoyed the more unique exercises such as studying my natural versus learned behaviors with my mentor or listening to guest speakers talk to the us about how they found passion in their lives and pursued their dreams. I left each of these sessions feeling inspired – that I knew myself better than when I arrived or that I too, just like the speaker, could overcome any obstacle and achieve my dreams as well.

At the end of the year, I knew I had to find a way to stay involved with MILE and continue to grow and inspire myself through the program. For a year or two, I volunteered to help set up for each meeting and clean up afterward so I could be in the room. During that time, I was even invited to serve on the MILE Advisory Board. After a few years, I applied to become a mentor and have served in this capacity ever since.