After Patrick Tedjamulia graduated from the Marriott School, he landed a great job at Novell, thanks to an alum who helped get his foot in the door. Unfortunately, not all job hunters are lucky enough to have professional mentors, Tedjamulia says.
Tedjamulia first recognized the benefits of mentoring through participation in the Marriott School’s mentoring program. About one thousand students participate annually in the program, which is a required course for all undergraduates. Students are able to select from nearly eight hundred volunteer mentors to find one whose expertise matches their interest.
“I can’t even begin to list the number of professors, administrators, classmates, and alumni who served as mentors to me,” Tedjamulia says. “One of the most important truths I’ve retained from BYU is that everything we learn we should share with others.”
A desire to further extend mentoring opportunities motivated Tedjamulia to create the International Mentoring Network Organization (IMNO).
IMNO is a nonprofit organization and web site that connects aspiring professionals to experienced mentors. Members can ask questions online, conduct personal interviews, and read interviews posted by others. Mentors give advice and share experience on an individual or group basis.
“Every leader or professional has advice that can apply to everyone,” Tedjamulia says. “That advice can save people time and get them ahead of the ball game.”
Launched in June 2004 by Tedjamulia and some of his colleagues, IMNO seeks to provide mentoring to a diverse audience who might not otherwise have access to professional expertise. Membership is free and open to everyone, regardless of where they live or attend school. So far, IMNO members represent thirty countries.
Tedjamulia has successfully recruited forty-five mentors to the organization whose professions range from senators and CEOs to athletes and ophthalmologists. As more people hear about the service, he expects the number of mentors to increase.
“Everyone I talk to is looking for ways other than donating money to help people around the world,” he says. “Through IMNO, they can help hundreds of individuals achieve their potential by sharing professional knowledge and experience.”
Tedjamulia graduated from the Marriott School in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in information systems. He works as marketing manager for the Dell Alliance at Altiris and resides in Provo.
For more information on the Marriott School student mentoring program, email mentor@byu.edu.
