On the debut episode of Professional Launch on WDAY Radio, Ricot Aladin welcomes back longtime mentor, educator, and Professional Launch board member Jane Pettinger for a deep and heartfelt conversation about mentorship, community, and empowering young professionals.
🔑 Key Moments & Timestamps:
[0:00 – 1:00] – Introduction
Rico introduces the mission of the show and Jane Pettinger’s incredible background in education and mentorship.
[1:00 – 3:30] – Jane's Early Career & Campus Life
Jane shares how she got into higher education after working in social services, and her love for the campus environment.
[3:30 – 5:30] – Lifelong Lessons & Finding Joy in Work
Jane talks about connection, curiosity, and the importance of having fun—even in retirement.
[7:00 – 8:45] – Why She Joined Professional Launch
Jane reflects on why she was drawn to Rico's vision for connecting professionals with students.
[10:45 – 11:45] – New Initiatives That Make a Difference
They highlight the Lunch & Learn series and mentoring efforts with new immigrant communities.
[16:30 – 20:30] – Behind the Scenes: MSUM’s Mentoring Program
Jane explains how the mentorship program she ran at MSUM was built to provide students with real-world experiential learning.
[23:30 – 26:15] – Tailoring Mentorship to Student Needs
Stories of how mentorship helped students pivot, grow, and find clarity in their career paths.
[28:40 – 31:00] – Bridging the Gap for First-Gen & Rural Students
Jane offers advice for both students and supervisors on how to build meaningful professional connections.
[33:15 – 34:30] – How to Find (or Be) a Mentor
Encouraging advice for anyone who's never had a mentor, and why just asking can open doors.
[35:00 – End] – Final Words of Wisdom
Jane and Rico wrap up the episode with a heartfelt reminder: Keep growing, keep giving, keep launching.
