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Running to Somewhere

Summary: 
Shea Giaquinto shares the story of how his mentor helped him plan and prepare for his dream of attending medical school.

“Tales of Excellence, Achievement and Mentorship” or “TEAM” is a weekly series partnered with StudentMentor.org where we feature college students and young Americans from diverse backgrounds across the country who are using mentorships to move their career and educational goals forward. You will hear in their own words how mentors have helped them succeed and transform into the leaders of tomorrow.

Through StudentMentor.org, college students can conveniently find and collaborate with mentors to successfully graduate from college and embark on their desired careers.

Shea has lofty dreams of becoming a physician someday but little idea of how to get there. Without a doctor in his circle of family and friends to help, Shea sought out a mentor that could guide him on his journey to achieving his dream.  Shea admits, “At times I feel like I am running in place in this journey and getting nowhere, but then I have my mentors to talk to and they remind me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and if I keep pushing forward I will eventually reach my goal.” Hear Shea’s journey so far and how StudentMentor has given him the light at the end of the tunnel to follow through to success. 

My name is Shea Giaquinto, and my goal is to become a physician. I learned about StudentMentor.org from my peers, so I decided to look into it, and I have not been more pleased with my results. I do not have anyone in my family who is a physician or even involved in medicine, so the feedback I have received from my mentors is extremely helpful. At times I feel like I am running in place in this journey and getting nowhere, but then I have my mentors to talk to and they remind me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and if I keep pushing forward I will eventually reach my goal. I am extremely lucky to have a great supportive family, but without my mentors I would be lost. My mentors have told me tricks about how to stand out in an application as well as study tactics for the MCAT. I plan on applying to medical school next year and I know I will be relying on my mentors heavily to help guide me through the admissions process.

I strongly recommend StudentMentor.org to anyone who is going through school or any type of situation where they could use some advice. I have three mentors already and each has their own specific insights. I have told all my peers in my Post–baccalaureate program that they should join the program. The mentors do not get paid so they are helping because it is what they love to do and that makes the experience even better. My path has been challenging, but StudentMentor.org plays a huge role in my success thus far, and I plan to keep going and utilizing the great resources I have been given.

Check out previous TEAM blog posts:


Ronnie Cho is an Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement.