DDCE
INTELLECTUAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Where Are They Now?
Building Networks
Claudia and Angela participated as mentees in the IE program in spring 2006 during their senior year; both graduated in May 2006. Claudia completed a B.A. in Psychology (Pre-Law) with a minor in Spanish, as well as a Finance Certification. Angela graduated with a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology, and minors in Spanish and Mexican-American Studies. Three years after their participation in the IE Pre-Graduate Internship program, the IE philosophy is evident in their accomplishments and aspirations.
All respondents in Luna and Prieto’s early study report that the mentorship helped them overcome barriers to networking in academia and make connections they viewed as important to exploring graduate studies. Claudia and Angela have continued communication with their graduate student mentors since participating in the program. Claudia explained, “She [her mentor] is always a phone call away to help me.” She shares how their relationship continues to have capacity-building benefits for her, particularly regarding her research skills and resourcefulness. “The research skills I learned from my mentor are skills I use in my work, organizations, and future aspirations. Also, when you’re unsure, ask questions because you learn from others’ experience,” Claudia said.
In the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education article, Claudia poignantly stated, “The only inheritance they [my parents] can leave me is not money; the only inheritance they can leave me with is [an] education.” Since graduation, Claudia has experienced career advancement at the Texas Office of the Governor, from Intern to Research Specialist II. She is also in the process of applying to law school, as she projected three years ago. Her near completion of a Business Foundations certificate through the UT–Austin Extension Program demonstrates her continued commitment to higher education. Claudia’s desire to empower her home community is exemplified by her current roles as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, financial literacy volunteer, and administrative employee for her parents’ business in Houston. After working in the nonprofit sector for two years after graduation, Angela is now pursuing a Ph.D., and eventually hopes to obtain a professorial position. She serves as a school volunteer, and is employed as a program evaluator at an educational nonprofit organization. Angela said, “The IE program experience and my mentor’s guidance directly shaped my educational/career decisions in a very positive way. Above all, I am more passionate, knowledgeable, and confident in my academic interests and sense of purpose.” Claudia and Angela’s post-program educational trajectories suggest the IE program played a positive, solidifying role in their paths to graduate school. The following sections look at how the experience positively shaped their network-building and conceptualizations of graduate school.
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Angela reported the mentorship continues to greatly benefit her, and the two women still communicate. She described one example of their interaction: “When I was selecting a graduate program, I sought her support. Her candid insight was helpful, and I was able to make an informed decision that considered the pros and cons.” Angela added, “The [IE] program helped me feel capable in being resourceful and confident in making contacts. I will hopefully have the ability to seek out support to meet all the challenges of graduate study.”
Demystifying Graduate Studies Informants from Luna and Prieto’s initial study reported gaining a better understanding of the efforts involved in graduate study, and benefited from a guided process of researching graduate programs. These findings affirm the program’s objective to encourage intellectual entrepreneurship, an attitude still evident in the former mentees’ responses. Claudia continues to draw on the IE experience to sustain her graduate school goals through uncertainty: “IE program experiences have taught me to lay out a plan to reach my educational/career aspirations. I learned that I shouldn’t be overwhelmed with the future because I am not alone. Having a mentor, you learn to discuss and discover options. You learn how to analytically view pros and cons to help make decisions—but best of all,
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