Mentor Spotlight: Microsoft’s Douglas Lepar shares his insight with Scholars
WSOS mentors play a crucial role in the success of Opportunity Scholars. These individuals help Scholars identify career goals, connect them with professionals in their field, and offer guidance from their own experiences.
Microsoft Director of Operations Program Management Douglas Lepar heard about WSOS’ mentorship program Skills that Shine from a colleague who volunteered for the program and suggested Douglas might be a good fit for their mentee, who was interested in a tech career.
As a first-generation college student, Lepar knew how it felt to navigate the complex college system. With 15 years of experience in the workforce, he was able to offer his mentees some guidance as they completed their career paths.
I’ve been so impressed and humbled by the [students] I have seen who, thanks to this incredible program, have managed to juggle all those things while still thriving, growing, and engaging.”
Douglas Lepar, Director of Operations Program Management, Microsoft
We have repeatedly heard from Scholars that mentors provide emotional support and encouragement to reach their goals. Through mentorship, Scholars gain valuable professional development experiences ranging from interview practice, resume review, and financial information.
To date, WSOS has matched more than 9,000 scholars with mentors.
The success of WSOS is reflected in the scholarships and professional development support provided to Scholars. Mentors are crucial in helping guide and enhance Scholars’ career readiness skills, ensuring a smooth transition from college to career. Volunteering as a mentor can significantly impact a Scholar’s life to help them succeed when they graduate.
Make your impact
Join our Skills that Shine program by mentoring Scholars. The StS mentorship program engages industry partners to guide and enhance Scholars’ career readiness skills, ensuring a smooth transition from college to career.
Share internship and job opportunities to help Scholars gain valuable professional experience and kickstart their careers! Consider hosting lunch and learn sessions, industry-specific career panels, office site tours, or essay review events to engage with Scholars and contribute to their success.