Emily Field is an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company where she advises leaders on how to make their talent a competitive advantage. She graduated from Georgetown University. During her time at Georgetown, she also worked as an intern at Capital Partners for Education (CPE). Emily now lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband. She loves traveling, Peloton, and spending time with her family.
Why did you become a mentor?
I knew the moment I graduated from college I would apply to become a mentor with CPE. CPE was an integral part of my professional journey, and I wanted to pay it forward. I also wanted to get more involved in the DC community and build a network outside of work.
How long have you been mentoring with CPE?
10 years!
How have you been able to sustain the relationship with your mentee during COVID-19?
Rosario and I have stayed in touch despite several moves, including two years when I was in Frankfurt, Germany, so our relationship was already “long-distance.” We stayed in touch through texting and regular phone calls. So, it was certainly exciting when Rosario could visit me in New York last spring to celebrate her 21st birthday.
In what ways are you helping her get through this pandemic?
Rosario graduated from college magna cum laude in May 2020, at the height of economic uncertainty when companies were rescinding offers and halting hiring. I quickly shifted from Rosario’s mentor and friend to her career coach, helping her think through different options, prepare for interviews, and review offers. Through a lot of diligence, networking, and hard work, Rosario was able to land a job she was excited about right after graduation.
What is one of your mentee’s dreams?
Becoming an immigration lawyer to help immigrants, inspired by the experience of her own family.
How are you helping her achieve it?
Rosario and I spend a lot of time talking about what she is learning from her current paralegal job and pressure testing timing for law school, her aspirations, potential paths, and how it can all come together. My job is asking Rosario questions so that she can explore what is right for her. She has a clear view of what is important to her and has an incredible learning mindset where she gets as much as possible out of every experience.
How has CPE helped you in your mentoring relationship?
CPE helped with setting the cadence for when we should connect as soon as we were matched. It allowed us to take the guesswork out of when to get together and talk. From there, we ran with it and found ourselves texting and talking much more frequently over time. Our monthly afternoon-long meet-ups became a highlight I looked forward to.
What advice would you give anyone considering mentoring?
Remember that it is not a one-way street. While you will certainly give your time, your resources, and your energy, you will also gain so much from the experience. Every time I talk to Rosario, I gain new perspectives and learn from her, and we have a lot of fun while doing it!